Engineer II, Automation & Controls — Startup Cheese Facility

Grande Custom Ingredients Group; Chilton (WI); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Low-cost onsite clinics

Free onsite fitness center

Free healthy snacks

Health and wellness reimbursement

Associate cheese purchasing program

Two-year mentorship program

Paid Parental Leave

Job summary

Grande Chilton is seeking our next Engineer II, Automation & Controls to lead the automation scope for new and existing capital projects in our Chilton facility. You will design, implement, and optimize industrial instrumentation, electrical, and control systems, working with Rockwell platforms to achieve safe, efficient production.

Collaborate with engineers, contractors, and suppliers to deliver projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree with 5+ years in controls/instrumentation, OR Bachelor's with 3+ years in related engineering.
• Experience in manufacturing facility design, preferably in food processing.
• Proficiency with at least three industrial automation systems/tools listed in the job posting.
• Ability to troubleshoot, interpret technical information, and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Lead the automation and controls scope for capital projects.
• Design, implement, and optimize instrumentation, electrical, and control systems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, contractors, and suppliers to execute projects.
• Support equipment commissioning and startup activities and ensure regulatory compliance.

Education

Associate's degree + 5+ years in controls/instrumentation OR Bachelor's degree + 3+ years in related engineering

Ability to troubleshoot and interpret technical information

Tools

Rockwell PLCs

Rockwell HMI

VFDs / Servo drive systems

Industrial control safety circuits

Industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, DH+)

Industrial historian systems

Wonderware / Ignition / VantagePoint

Windows OS & Office

Job description

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com.

• Low-cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout the facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.

Job Details

Description

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting “The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy”, Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they’re delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can’t be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about our beautiful, state-of-the-art corporate headquarters, visit www.grande.com.

Did we convince you yet? If not check out our unique benefits

• Low-cost onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout the facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.
• Paid Parental Leave
  
  

Why Chilton?

Located in the heart of Calumet County, Chilton blends small-town charm with big opportunity. With a cost of living 5% below the Wisconsin average and housing prices well under national levels, it’s an affordable and attractive place to live, work, and grow your career. Known for its safety, welcoming community, and strong local values, Chilton offers an ideal environment for those seeking to unwind, recharge, and embrace a relaxed and balanced lifestyle.

Chilton also features easy access to parks and outdoor recreation, a walkable downtown with local dining and entertainment, and annual festivals that celebrate the area’s local culture and community spirit. As the proud home of Grande’s newest start-up location, Chilton presents a unique opportunity to be part of something new and impactful, joining an organization dedicated to professional excellence, enriching the lives of our Associates (employees), and fulfilling “a purpose greater than ourselves”.

Job Summary

Grande Chilton is seeking our next Engineer II, Automation & Controls. If placed in this role you will play a key part in the startup and ongoing success of our new state-of-the-art cheese manufacturing facility in Chilton, Wisconsin. In this highly collaborative position, you will lead the automation and controls scope of small to mid-sized capital projects, designing, implementing, and optimizing industrial instrumentation, electrical, and control systems that support safe, efficient, and reliable production. Working with Rockwell Automation platforms, including PLCs, HMI, and integrated control systems, you will help bring innovative manufacturing solutions to life while driving continuous improvement across plant operations.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine hands-on technical expertise with project leadership. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, contractors, and equipment suppliers to develop and execute capital projects, support equipment commissioning and startup activities, and ensure systems meet performance, quality, and regulatory requirements. The ideal candidate is a proactive engineer with experience in industrial automation, process controls, and manufacturing environments who is excited to help build and optimize a new facility from the ground up while contributing to the future of cheese production.

What You Need To Be Considered For The Role

• Associate's degree and five (5) or more years of related experience with controls and instrumentation systems OR
• Bachelor's degree and three (3) or more years of related engineering experience required.
• Must have experience working with manufacturing facility and design, preferably in food processing.
• Must have experience and some proficiency with industrial automation control systems, in at least three of the following:
• Motor Control and Power Distribution.
• Industrial Electrical Enclosure design and construction
• Rockwell Programmable Logic Controllers PLCs (Rockwell ControlLogix, CompactLogix,SLC500, PLC5)
• Industrial Human Machine Interface systems (Rockwell, Ignition Software, Wonderware)
• AC Variable Speed Drive Systems and Servo Drive Systems
• Industrial Control Safety circuits, sensors and practices
• Industrial Controls Networks, (Ethernet IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, DH+ and RemoteIO)
• Microsoft Operating Systems Desktop and Server Based
• Industrial Historian Systems (Rockwell, Wonderware, Ignition)
• Industrial Reporting Systems (Rockwell VantagePoint, Wonderware)
• Distributed HMI systems
• Ability to troubleshoot, diagnose problems and recommend improvements.
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical information, instructions and details and utilize to guide methods and procedures.
• Planning and prioritization skills, innovation, multi-tasking, goal setting, analytical skills, adaptable, continuously looking to raise the bar for progress.
• Ability to understand, influence, drive, and negotiate with internal and external customers.
• Advanced PC skills including Windows, Microsoft Office Suite and Engineering and design software.
• Advanced knowledge in mathematical concepts such as fractions, ratios, value analysis, thermodynamics, to resolve engineering designs and problems.
  

Preferred

• Project management certification and/or Professional Engineering license preferred.