Global Automation & Tech Strategy Lead

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Central City (NE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to drive standardization of controls architectures, PLCs, HMIs, and enterprise automation across global operations. You will lead validation, safety assessments, and technology transfer with international engineering teams to enable scalable, compliant automation solutions.

You will collaborate with OEMs and internal stakeholders on next‑generation automation, robotics, machine vision, and AI-enabled inspection systems, while ensuring

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field with 5+ years in industrial automation, controls, robotics, or manufacturing engineering.
• 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 across global operations.
• Lead qualification, validation, and acceptance testing of automation and advanced manufacturing systems.
• Conduct machine safety assessments to ensure OSHA, ANSI, NFPA compliance and risk mitigation.
• Partner with global engineering teams to evaluate and transfer automation technologies.
• Collaborate with OEMs and internal stakeholders on next‑gen automation and AI-enabled inspection.
• Evaluate processing controls, packaging systems, robotics, machine vision, and end-of-line automation for scalability.
• Conduct supplier audits, factory evaluations, and integration risk assessments early in projects.
• Serve as controls/automation lead on strategic capital projects.

Skills

PLC & HMI development

Industrial networking

Controls architecture

Machine safety systems

Project leadership

Education

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

Tools

Robotics

Machine vision

Job description

Smithfield Foods is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to drive standardization of controls architectures, PLCs, HMIs, and enterprise automation across global operations. You will lead validation, safety assessments, and technology transfer with international engineering teams to enable scalable, compliant automation solutions.

You will collaborate with OEMs and internal stakeholders on next‑generation automation, robotics, machine vision, and AI-enabled inspection systems, while ensuring