Controls Engineer I (Capital Projects)

Leprino Foods Company; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 102,000; Full time

Job summary

Leprino Foods Company in Denver seeks a Controls Engineer I to lead controls scope for major capital projects and shape system-wide automation architecture. You’ll partner with Controls Integration Engineers handling detailed programming and commissioning to keep plants safe and scalable.

The role offers a starting salary in the $90k–$102k range with a 5% target bonus and potential progression to Associate/Engineer II/Senior levels. Travel up to 50% is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Minimum 4 years PLC/SCADA integration experience, including ControlLogix and/or Wonderware/InTouch.
• Experience leading controls scope on capital projects with vendor coordination.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking, safety systems, instrumentation, and line-integration principles.
• Travel up to 50% to domestic facilities.

Responsibilities

• Own the controls strategy for major capital projects, defining architecture, standards, and system requirements for new production lines and automation upgrades.
• Design line-level controls solutions coordinating equipment across OEM platforms for reliable operation.
• Develop system specifications including network design, safety architecture, interlock strategy, sequencing logic, SCADA interfaces, and MES data.
• Coordinate OEM/integrator work to meet Leprino standards and integrate into plant systems.
• Review/approve PLC and HMI development; delegate coding and field execution.
• Lead FAT/SAT activities, validate system behavior, and direct corrective actions with vendors.
• Provide technical leadership during installation and startup, resolve system-level issues, tune performance, ensure safe commissioning.
• Advise plants on automation strategies, controls reliability, and long-term maintainability.
• Support project planning: scope, timelines, risk assessments, and early detection of impacts.
• Contribute to enterprise standards for controls engineering, safety systems, instrumentation, and networking.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

System architecture

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering/Automation/CE/Mechatronics

Tools

ControlLogix

Wonderware System Platform

InTouch

Job description

Within our Corporate Project Engineering team located in Denver – Leprino is seeking a Controls Engineer I to lead the controls scope for large capital projects and shape the system‑level automation architecture that keeps our plants running safely, reliably, and at scale. This role focuses on high‑impact project leadership, controls design, and vendor coordination while partnering closely with Controls Integration Engineers who execute detailed programming and commissioning work.

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $90,000 and $102,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 5%. Based on your experience, we may also consider you for our Associate, Engineer II, or Senior levels.

What You’ll Do:

• Own the controls strategy for major capital projects, defining architecture, standards, and system requirements for new production lines and automation upgrades.
• Design line‑level controls solutions that coordinate equipment across OEM platforms and deliver reliable, transparent operation across plants.
• Develop system specifications, including network design, safety architecture, interlock strategy, sequencing logic, SCADA interfaces, and MES data requirements.
• Coordinate OEM and integrator work, ensuring programming, documentation, and hardware designs meet Leprino standards and integrate cleanly into plant systems.
• Review, approve, and guide PLC and HMI development while delegating detailed coding and field execution to Controls Integration Engineers.
• Lead FAT and SAT activities, validate system behavior, and direct corrective actions with vendors and internal engineers.
• Provide technical leadership during installation and startup, resolving system‑level issues, tuning performance, and ensuring safe commissioning.
• Advise plants and project teams on automation strategies, controls reliability, and long‑term maintainability.
• Support project planning, including scope definition, timelines, risk assessments, and early detection of scope or budget impacts.
• Contribute to enterprise standards for controls engineering, safety systems, instrumentation, and industrial networking.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related technical field.
• A minimum of four years of experience in PLC/SCADA integration, including ControlLogix programming and/or Wonderware System Platform, InTouch, or related tools.
• Experience leading controls scope on capital projects, including vendor coordination and system‑level design.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking, safety systems, instrumentation, and line‑integration principles.
• The ability to travel up to 50 percent to our domestic facilities.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• A Master's degree in Engineering.

• Experience directing controls programming or integration work in a manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to robotic systems, advanced communication networks, or large‑scale automation platforms.
• Prior involvement in major line installations, including FAT/SAT oversight and system commissioning.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual's unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

Offering You In Return:

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high‑quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit‑Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?

Leprino uses Psychemedics for a 90-day hair follicle drug test as a pre‑employment screening tool and also participates in E‑Verify. Some positions at the Denver corporate office may require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) based on role and location.