Electrical Control Engineer

Carolina Foods, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Carolina Foods is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer to design, develop, and maintain electrical control systems for bakery production, including PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs. The role collaborates with Maintenance, Production, and Facilities to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant operation.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and at least 5 years in manufacturing, strong knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLCs, electrical schematics, and safety codes (NEC/NFPA 70E).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong PLC and HMI programming knowledge (Allen-Bradley) and electrical schematics.
• Ability to troubleshoot electrical/instrumentation systems and drive improvements.
• Knowledge of NEC/NFPA 70E, NFPA and lockout/tagout standards.

Responsibilities

• Design and modify electrical control systems and wiring for bakery equipment.
• Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical and instrumentation issues to maximize uptime.
• Collect and analyze production data to drive improvements.
• Lead automation projects with cross-functional teams while ensuring safety compliance.

Skills

PLC & HMI programming

Electrical schematics

Troubleshooting

Project management

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley

AutoCAD Electrical

SCADA

Job description

Carolina Foods is the maker of Duchess Brand snacks and creator of one of America's first Honey Buns. Our business has been in operation for more than 80 years, and our products are synonymous with quality, innovation, and a longer shelf-life. We are a manufacturer of sweet baked goods and our products include a variety of delicious, individually wrapped items, including: honey buns, baked pies, fried pies, and gem donuts to serve all customers' needs. We are poised for major growth and expansion and are looking for driven individuals to join us on our journey. Google 'Falfurrias Carolina Foods' for more information.

The Electrical Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining electrical control and automation systems that support production within a commercial bakery. This role involves programming and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and industrial control systems, improving equipment reliability, and ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of automated production lines.

The position works hand in hand with Maintenance, Production, and Facilities to solve problems, serving as the technical resource for complex controls issues while developing the troubleshooting capabilities of the Maintenance Automation team.

The ideal candidate will work flex shift hours: 4pm – 12am, 5pm – 1am, or 6pm – 2am.

Key Responsibilities

• Controls Design & Engineering: Design, develop, and modify electrical control systems, control panels, and wiring schematics for bakery production equipment, ensuring designs meet applicable electrical codes and safety standards.
• Automation & PLC Programming: Program, configure, and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servos, and automation systems to optimize automated production processes and minimize equipment downtime.
• Maintenance & Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, and instrumentation issues to maximize equipment uptime and reliability, and support preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Data Analysis: Collect and analyze equipment and production data to identify trends, measure performance, and track key metrics. Utilize data-driven insights to improve system reliability and drive continuous improvement.
• Project Management: Lead and manage controls and automation improvement projects from initiation to completion. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Regulatory Compliance & Safety: Ensure compliance with relevant electrical codes (e.g., NEC / NFPA 70), NFPA 70E, food safety standards, and OSHA requirements, including arc flash and lockout/tagout procedures. Stay updated on industry best practices and emerging technologies.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum [5] years of experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of PLC and HMI programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley), industrial control systems, and electrical schematics.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting electrical, controls, and instrumentation systems, including motor controls and VFDs.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Project management skills and experience leading automation and controls improvement initiatives.
• Knowledge of electrical safety codes (NEC / NFPA 70E), food safety regulations, and lockout/tagout standards.

Desired Skills (Optional)

• Experience with SCADA systems and industrial networking (e.g., EtherNet/IP, PROFIBUS).
• Experience with CAD software for electrical schematics (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical).
• Knowledge of robotics and advanced automation in manufacturing.

Carolina Foods is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.