Controls Engineer

Conagra Brands; United States; On-site; USD 64,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

On-site role

Bonus incentive opportunity

Health & wellness benefits

Job summary

Conagra Brands seeks an engineering lead for electrical and control systems in a food manufacturing environment. You will guide design, safety standards, startup support, and plant-level control capabilities across the site.

You will troubleshoot, mentor, and develop standards while coordinating with multi-functional teams to drive capital projects and supplier partnerships.

Qualifications

• BS in Electrical Engineering or an Associate degree with equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial control system design or programming.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation control platforms and software.
• Knowledge of industrial networking, control system integration, and cybersecurity fundamentals.
• Experience with building automation systems supporting HVAC and environmental controls.
• Familiarity with enterprise systems and manufacturing execution or ERP integration.
• Strong collaboration skills within a cross-functional, multi-plant organization.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing regulations and industry standards preferred.
• Experience with capital projects and early-phase project estimating preferred.
• Experience working with third-party automation and controls integrators preferred.
• Willingness to provide off-shift and on-call support.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site technical lead for electrical and control systems engineering.
• Troubleshoot automation, control, and equipment issues to support maintenance and operations, including unplanned downtime.
• Provide backup technical support for the Electrical Team Leader during absences.
• Develop and maintain sitewide standards, guidelines, and templates for control hardware, software, and programming.
• Program and maintain Allen-Bradley platforms (RSLogix 5/500/5000, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View ME).
• Configure and support network infrastructure and managed industrial switches.
• Program and support PLCs, VFDs, servo systems, HMIs, and process controls.
• Collaborate with engineering, technical, and procurement teams on capital planning and cost-saving initiatives.
• Support control system obsolescence management and updates.
• Review front-end loading packages for accuracy and effectiveness.
• Provide on-site technical support during design reviews and startup activities.
• Support third-party integrators and FAT activities as required.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Control Systems

Rockwell Automation

PLC programming

Industrial Networking

Cybersecurity fundamentals

HVAC/Environmental controls

Cross-functional collaboration

Leadership

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Associate degree with equivalent experience

Tools

RSLogix 5

RSLogix 500

RSLogix 5000

Studio 5000

FactoryTalk View ME

Ethernet/IP / Industrial networking

Job description

Reporting to the Electrical Manager, you will serve as the engineering lead for electrical and control systems, acting as a technical resource across the organization. You will develop and improve sitewide electrical control design and control safety standards while supporting project teams through the design, execution, and startup of control systems. You will also build plant‑level control capabilities, support maintenance troubleshooting efforts, and contribute to training and continuous improvement initiatives within a food manufacturing environment.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Serve as the site technical lead for electrical and control systems engineering.
• Support maintenance and operations by troubleshooting automation, control, and equipment issues, including unplanned downtime events.
• Provide backup technical support for the Electrical Team Leader during absences.
• Develop and maintain sitewide standards, guidelines, and templates for control hardware, software, and programming.
• Program and maintain Allen‑Bradley control platforms, including RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, Studio 5000, and FactoryTalk View Machine Edition.
• Configure and support network infrastructure, including Internet Protocol addressing and managed industrial network switches.
• Program and support variable frequency drives, servo systems, human machine interfaces, and process control devices.
• Collaborate with engineering, technical, and procurement teams to support capital planning, cost savings initiatives, and strategic supplier partnerships.
• Support control system obsolescence management and control software updates.
• Review front end loading packages for accuracy, completeness, and operational effectiveness.
• Provide on‑site technical support during design reviews, startup activities, and focused improvement initiatives.
• Support third‑party system integrators and factory acceptance testing activities as required.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering, or an Associate degree with equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in industrial control system design or programming.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation control platforms and software.
• Knowledge of industrial networking, control system integration, and cybersecurity fundamentals.
• Experience with building automation systems supporting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and environmental controls.
• Familiarity with enterprise systems and manufacturing execution or enterprise resource planning system integration.
• Strong collaboration skills within a cross‑functional and multi‑plant organization.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and technical problem‑solving skills.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing regulations and industry standards is preferred.
• Experience supporting capital projects and early‑phase project estimating is preferred.
• Experience working with third‑party automation and controls integrators is preferred.
• Willingness to provide off‑shift and on‑call support as needed.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process.
This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:
You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs or ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand‑eye coordination.
You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.
This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

Relocation assistance is available for this position. Preference will be given to local candidates.

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Compensation

Pay Range:$64,000-$95,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity.Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye, Slim Jim and Reddi-Wip.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.