Controls Engineer – Food Manufacturing Automation

US Waffle Company, Inc.

Hazelwood (MO)

On-site

USD 85,000 - 115,000

Full time

13 days ago

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Job summary

US Waffle Company, Inc. is recruiting a Controls Engineer for our Hazelwood, MO facility. The role will own PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, troubleshoot complex issues, and support new equipment integration and capital projects to ensure uptime and efficiency.

You will work hands-on with maintenance technicians on the floor, improve automation performance, and lead controls integration for startup, FAT/SAT, and commissioning while maintaining safety and GMP standards.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
5+ years in controls engineering in a manufacturing environment, preferably food/CPG.
Strong PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell preferred).
Experience with HMI/SCADA (FactoryTalk, Wonderware or similar).
Knowledge of industrial networks, drives (VFDs), motors and electrical systems.
Hands-on troubleshooting in live production settings.
Experience supporting capital projects, installation and commissioning.
Ability to read electrical schematics and drawings.
ERP experience a plus (Plex preferred).
Proficient with Microsoft Office; strong communication and multitasking skills.

Responsibilities

Report to work as scheduled and maintain excellent attendance.
Troubleshoot electrical and controls issues to minimize downtime.
Own and support PLC, HMI, VFD and SCADA systems.
Support maintenance on the shop floor and provide hands-on assistance.
Develop/modify PLC and HMI programs to improve performance and reliability.
Lead controls integration for new equipment and capital projects including FAT/SAT.
Assist startup, commissioning, validation and performance optimization.
Standardize controls architecture and documentation across the plant.
Maintain electrical schematics, network layouts and related documentation.
Collaborate with OEMs for troubleshooting, upgrades and improvements.
Ensure backup/version control of PLC/HMI programs and OT network security.
Identify automation improvements to reduce labor and improve throughput.
Support RCA efforts and implement permanent corrective actions.
Train maintenance personnel on controls troubleshooting and understanding.
Ensure safety, GMPs and food safety compliance for all controls systems.
Support ERP integration (e.g., Plex) where applicable.
Drive continuous improvement in automation and system performance.