Global Automation Architect & Innovation Lead

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp in the United States seeks a senior Automation Engineer to lead controls and automation architecture across global operations. You will partner with US and China teams, oversee qualification and validation of automation systems, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities include advancing smart manufacturing, evaluating equipment, and driving technology transfer while collaborating with OEMs and internal stakeholders to scale innovative

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networking, controls architecture, and machine safety systems.
• Experience qualifying and validating manufacturing equipment.
• Experience with robotics, machine vision, inspection technologies, and safety systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, review, and standardization of controls architectures, PLCs, HMIs, networks, data platforms, and automation standards across global operations.
• Lead qualification, validation, and acceptance testing of automation and manufacturing systems to ensure performance and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct machine safety assessments and controls reviews to ensure safety standards compliance and mitigate risks.
• Collaborate with US, China, and WH Group teams to transfer and standardize proven automation technologies across facilities.
• Develop and implement next-generation automation, robotics, machine vision, AI-enabled inspection, and digital manufacturing technologies.
• Evaluate processing controls and end-of-line automation solutions for effectiveness and scalability.
• Conduct supplier audits, factory evaluations, equipment reviews, and risk assessments early in projects.
• Lead strategic capital projects as controls/automation engineering SME.

Skills

PLC knowledge

Machine safety

Industrial networking

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation/Robotics

Tools

PLC programming

Industrial networks

SCADA/HMI systems

Robotics

Job description

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp in the United States seeks a senior Automation Engineer to lead controls and automation architecture across global operations. You will partner with US and China teams, oversee qualification and validation of automation systems, and ensure safety and regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities include advancing smart manufacturing, evaluating equipment, and driving technology transfer while collaborating with OEMs and internal stakeholders to scale innovative