Controls Engineer

Gehl Food & Beverage; Lathrop (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Full benefits package - medical, dent.

401(k) match

Generous PTO & holidays

Growth opportunities

Tuition reimbursement

HSA medical plan option

Perks at Work discounts

Referral bonus program

Job summary

Gehl Food & Beverage is hiring a Controls Engineer in California to support the control, optimization, and reliability of production assets. You will design, program, test, and troubleshoot aseptic filling lines and material-handling systems, collaborating with engineering, operations and maintenance to meet production needs.

You will work on safety controllers, PLCs, HMIs, and MES data systems, with after-hour support rotating among the engineering team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent technical experience).
• 4-6 years of relevant technical/operational experience in manufacturing or production environments.
• Experience with aseptic processing and packaging systems (minimum 2 years), preferably Tetra Pak equipment.
• Proficiency with PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell), HMI systems, and SCADA platforms (Ignition, Wonderware).
• Knowledge of motion control, VFDs, safety hardware, robotics, and vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence).
• Experience installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting processing and packaging equipment, including off-hours support as needed.
• Understanding of food processing/packaging operations, FDA regulations, and NFPA 70/70E/78 standards.
• AutoCAD experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide machine support including safety controllers, PLCs, HMIs, robots, motion control, measurement systems, instrumentation, material handling systems, industrial networks, and computer system hardware/software application support for MES and data collection systems.
• Perform work utilizing plant electrical controls standards.
• Work with the Change Management Process for the overall implementation, performance, and continuous improvement of company initiatives.
• Schedule and manage upgrades, overhauls, and conversions of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines.
• Provide training in the operation and maintenance of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines
• Participate in after-hours support for engineering groups on a rotating basis.

Skills

Manufacturing experience

Aseptic processes

Electrical controls knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI systems

SCADA (Ignition, Wonderware)

Motion control

VFDs

Robotics

Vision systems Cognex/Keyence

AutoCAD

Job description

Now Hiring: Controls Engineer

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Salary Range: 110K - 130K

Why join our team?

• Full benefits package - medical, dental, vision & 401(k) match
• Generous PTO & holidays
• Growth opportunities to expand skillsets and enhance career
• Amazing team & culture focused on:

Communication | Community Involvement | Wellness | Employee Activities

Other Benefits & Programs We Offer:

• Referral bonus program
• Tuition reimbursement
• HSA Medical plan option with annual company contribution
• Perks at Work - discounts on shopping, travel & more
• Proven continued business growth for future opportunities

Position Overview

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Controls Engineer analyzes plant processes and supports the control, optimization, and reliability of production assets. Responsibilities include designing, programming, testing, and troubleshooting aseptic filling and processing lines and material-handling systems.

As part of a cross-functional team, this role provides technical support and implements enhancements for aseptic manufacturing systems with a focus on safety and quality. The Controls Engineer serves as an electrical controls resource for equipment development and troubleshooting and works closely with engineering, operations, and maintenance to meet production needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide machine support including but not limited to safety controllers, PLC's, HMI's, robots, motion control, measurement systems, instrumentation, material handling systems, industrial networks, and computer system hardware/software application support for MES and data collection systems.
• Perform work utilizing plant electrical controls standards.
• Work with the Change Management Process for the overall implementation, performance, and continuous improvement of company initiatives.
• Schedule and manage upgrades, overhauls, and conversions of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines.
• Provide training in the operation and maintenance of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines
• Participate in after-hours support for engineering groups on a rotating basis.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent technical experience)
• 4-6 years of relevant technical/operational experience in manufacturing or production environments
• Experience with aseptic processing and packaging systems (minimum 2 years), preferably Tetra Pak equipment
• Proficiency with PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell), HMI systems, and SCADA platforms (Ignition, Wonderware)
• Knowledge of motion control, VFDs, safety hardware, robotics, and vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence)
• Experience installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting processing and packaging equipment, including off-hours support as needed
• Understanding of food processing/packaging operations, FDA regulations, and NFPA 70/70E/78 standards
• AutoCAD experience