Controls Engineer (Food & Beverage)

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

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Medical, Dental, Vision

HSA options

PTO & Holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Referral bonus

Career growth opportunities

Travel 25%–50%

Job summary

LeoForce in California seeks an experienced Electrical Controls Engineer to join our manufacturing operations. The role focuses on designing, programming, and commissioning control systems for aseptic filling and packaging lines, and ensuring equipment reliability.

You will work with Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMI/SCADA, Cognex/Keyence vision systems, and MES data-collection tools, while supporting safety, NFPA compliance, and continuous improvement. Travel and after-hours support are part of the job.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent technical experience.
• 4–6 years of controls, automation, or operational experience in manufacturing.
• Minimum 2 years of experience with aseptic processing and packaging systems.
• Strong experience programming and troubleshooting Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA platforms, including Ignition or Wonderware.
• Experience with vision systems such as Cognex or Keyence.

Responsibilities

• Analyze manufacturing processes and improve 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.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

VFDs & motion control

Industrial networks

Vision systems

Ignition/Wonderware

AutoCAD

NFPA standards

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLCs

Ignition

Wonderware

Cognex

Keyence

AutoCAD

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

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