Controls Engineer (Food & Beverage)

Leoforce; Lathrop (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with Company Match

Medical, Dental, Vision

PTO & Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Travel 25% to 50%

Job summary

Leoforce seeks a mid-level Electrical Controls Engineer to optimize and trouble-shoot production equipment in a high-speed manufacturing environment. You will design and implement control strategies for aseptic filling and processing lines and support PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and robotics.

The role requires 4–6 years in controls/automation, a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering, and hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• 4–6 years of controls, automation, or operational experience in manufacturing.
• 2+ years supporting aseptic processing and packaging systems.
• Strong experience programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms (Ignition or Wonderware).
• Experience installing, commissioning, and trouble-shooting processing/packaging equipment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes to improve control, optimization, and reliability of production equipment.
• Design, program, test, commission, and troubleshoot aseptic filling/processing and packaging systems.
• Support PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, safety controllers, robotics, and industrial networks.
• Provide MES/data-collection system support and related hardware/software.
• Lead upgrades, overhauls, and conversions of aseptic lines.
• Train employees on operation/maintenance of lines.
• Participate in rotating after-hours engineering and production support.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI experience

Troubleshooting

Cross-functional collaboration

Rotating after-hours support

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs

Ignition/Wonderware

HMI/SCADA platforms

Cognex

Keyence

AutoCAD

NFPA standards knowledge

VFDs, robotics, instrumentation

Job description

Job Description

Experience:

Mid Level

Salary:

$110,000 - $130,000 per year

Job Details

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Analyze manufacturing processes and improve the control, optimization, and reliability of production equipment.
• Design, program, test, commission, and troubleshoot aseptic filling, processing, packaging, and material-handling systems.
• Support Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, safety controllers, robotics, motion controls, VFDs, instrumentation, and industrial networks.
• Provide application support for MES, data-collection systems, and related computer hardware and software.
• Serve as the plant's electrical controls resource for new equipment, equipment upgrades, and production troubleshooting.
• Schedule and manage upgrades, overhauls, and conversions of aseptic filling and processing lines.
• Troubleshoot vision inspection and measurement systems, including Cognex and Keyence equipment.
• Install and commission new processing and packaging equipment.
• Ensure controls work complies with plant electrical standards and applicable NFPA requirements.
• Support change-management processes and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Partner with engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, and production teams.
• Train employees on the proper operation and maintenance of aseptic filling and processing lines.
• Participate in rotating after-hours engineering and production support.

Qualifications Needed:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• Minimum 4-6 years of controls, automation, or operational experience within a manufacturing or production environment.
• Minimum 2 years of experience supporting aseptic processing and packaging systems.
• Strong experience programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs.
• Experience with HMI and SCADA platforms, including Ignition or Wonderware.
• Experience installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting processing and packaging equipment.
• Knowledge of motion controls, VFDs, safety hardware, robotics, instrumentation, and industrial networks.
• Experience with vision inspection systems such as Cognex or Keyence.
• Understanding of food processing and packaging operations and applicable FDA regulations.
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 70E, and NFPA 78 standards.
• AutoCAD experience.
• Ability to participate in rotating after-hours technical support.

Preferred:

• Direct experience with Tetra Pak equipment.
• Experience supporting aseptic beverage filling and processing lines.
• Familiarity with MES and manufacturing data-collection systems.

A bit about us:

Founded nearly a century ago and based in Germantown, WI, with additional manufacturing operations across the U.S., we are a rapidly growing food and beverage manufacturing organization focused on innovation, operational excellence, and long-term investment in our people and facilities. We specialize in delivering high-quality products in FDA-regulated manufacturing environments while maintaining a collaborative culture centered around communication, wellness, and continuous improvement.

Why join us?

• 401(k) with Company Match
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA Options
• Generous PTO & Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• Career Growth Opportunities Across Multiple Manufacturing Facilities
• Stable & Growing Company with Continued Capital Investments
• Collaborative Team Environment Focused on Communication, Community & Wellness
• Travel Exposure Across Multiple Manufacturing Operations - 25% to 50% annually