Global Automation & Robotics Lead, Controls, Vision & Safety

Smithfield Foods; Kentucky; On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Senior Automation/Controls Engineer to lead the qualification and deployment of controls, robotics, machine vision, and automation technologies across processing, packaging, and end-of-line operations in the United States. The role partners with U.S.

and WH Group teams to standardize architecture, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive scalable manufacturing solutions. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation/Robotics and 5+ years

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience in industrial automation, controls, robotics, or manufacturing engineering; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
• 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.
• Experience working with global engineering teams, international OEMs, and multi-site manufacturing organizations preferred.
• Knowledge of OSHA, ANSI, RIA, NFPA, UL, and electrical code requirements.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
• Ability to travel domestically greater than 50% and internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Automation & Controls Strategy: Lead development, review, and standardization of controls architectures, PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, data collection platforms, and enterprise automation standards across global operations.
• Technology Qualification & Validation: Lead qualification, validation, and acceptance testing of automation, robotics, machine vision, inspection technologies, and advanced manufacturing systems to ensure performance, integration, operational readiness, and regulatory compliance.
• Machine Safety & Compliance: Conduct machine safety assessments and controls reviews to ensure compliance with OSHA, ANSI, RIA, NFPA, UL, electrical codes, and corporate safety standards while identifying and mitigating technical risks.
• Global Technology Transfer: Partner with U.S., China, and WH Group engineering teams to evaluate, transfer, adapt, and standardize proven automation technologies, best practices, and manufacturing solutions across facilities.
• Innovation & Smart Manufacturing: Collaborate with OEMs, technology developers, and internal stakeholders to develop and implement next-generation automation, robotics, machine vision, AI-enabled inspection, and digital manufacturing technologies.
• Equipment & Systems Evaluation: Evaluate and qualify processing controls, packaging systems, robotics, machine vision, X-ray, metal detection, checkweighing, traceability, and end-of-line automation solutions for operational effectiveness and scalability.
• Supplier & System Assessment: Conduct supplier audits, factory evaluations, equipment reviews, and system validation activities to identify safety, reliability, compliance, and integration risks early in the project lifecycle.
• Capital Project Leadership: Serve as the controls, automation, or engineering lead and subject matter expert for strategic capital projects, including equipment design review, U.S. compliance modifications, and implementation support.

Skills

PLCs & HMIs

Industrial networking

Machine safety systems

Leadership

Project management

Communication

Global collaboration

Education

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

Tools

Robotics systems

Machine vision systems

Automation software

Job description

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Senior Automation/Controls Engineer to lead the qualification and deployment of controls, robotics, machine vision, and automation technologies across processing, packaging, and end-of-line operations in the United States. The role partners with U.S.

and WH Group teams to standardize architecture, ensure regulatory compliance, and drive scalable manufacturing solutions. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation/Robotics and 5+ years