Global Automation & Technology Engineer - Lead Innovation

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a seasoned Automation Engineering leader to guide controls strategy across global operations. You will lead qualification, validation, and safety programs for automation, robotics, and machine vision, partnering with US and China teams to scale solutions and ensure compliance.

The role requires deep expertise in PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and safety standards, with a track record in capital project leadership and global collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree 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 the 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

PLC/HMI knowledge

Industrial networking

Machine safety

Robotics & machine vision

Global engineering collaboration

OSHA/ANSI/NFPA knowledge

Leadership & PM

Travel willingness

Education

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

Job description

Smithfield Foods is seeking a seasoned Automation Engineering leader to guide controls strategy across global operations. You will lead qualification, validation, and safety programs for automation, robotics, and machine vision, partnering with US and China teams to scale solutions and ensure compliance.

The role requires deep expertise in PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and safety standards, with a track record in capital project leadership and global collaboration.