Global Automation & Robotics Lead - Controls & Innovation

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Equal opportunity employer

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking an Automation & Controls Lead to guide the qualification and deployment of controls, robotics, machine vision, inspection, and automation across processing, packaging, and end‑of‑line operations.

The role serves as the technical authority for automation architecture, machine safety, and regulatory compliance, partnering with U.S. and international teams to standardize best practices and scale digital manufacturing solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering or related field and 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.
• Ability to travel domestically greater than 50% and internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead qualification, validation, and acceptance testing of automation and robotics systems to ensure performance and regulatory compliance.
• Develop, review, and standardize controls architectures, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial networks across global operations.
• Conduct machine safety assessments and reviews per OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, UL, and local codes.
• Collaborate with global teams to transfer proven automation technologies and best practices.
• Partner with OEMs and technology developers to implement next‑generation automation and digital manufacturing solutions.
• Evaluate processing controls, packaging systems, robotics, machine vision, and end‑of‑line solutions for scalability.
• Lead capital projects as a controls/automation engineering lead with regulatory and compliance modifications.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI systems

Industrial networking

Automation architecture

Machine safety systems

Project management

Data collection platforms

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering or related field

Tools

Robotics

Machine vision

X-ray / metal detection systems

Checkweighing systems

Job description

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking an Automation & Controls Lead to guide the qualification and deployment of controls, robotics, machine vision, inspection, and automation across processing, packaging, and end‑of‑line operations.

The role serves as the technical authority for automation architecture, machine safety, and regulatory compliance, partnering with U.S. and international teams to standardize best practices and scale digital manufacturing solutions.