Global Automation & Technology Engineer — Robotics & AI

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 95,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package available

Competitive pay and benefits

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a leader in automation and controls to drive standardization of architectures, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial networks across global operations. You will lead validation, safety assessments, and cross‑functional collaboration with U.S.

and China teams to deploy best practices in automation and digital manufacturing. You will evaluate equipment, collaborate with OEMs, and guide capital projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and scalable deployment of advanced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation/Robotics or related field with 5+ years in industrial automation.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networking, controls architecture, and machine safety systems.
• Experience qualifying and validating manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to travel domestically >50% and internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and standardization of controls architectures, PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, data platforms and enterprise automation standards across global operations.
• Lead qualification, validation, and acceptance testing of automation, robotics, machine vision, inspection technologies and advanced manufacturing systems.
• Conduct machine safety assessments and controls reviews to ensure regulatory compliance and risk mitigation.
• Partner with U.S., China, and WH Group teams to transfer and standardize proven automation technologies and best practices.
• Collaborate with OEMs and internal stakeholders to implement next‑generation automation and digital manufacturing solutions.
• Evaluate processing controls, packaging systems, robotics, X-ray, metal detection, and end‑of‑line solutions for performance and scalability.
• Lead capital projects as controls/automation SME, including design reviews and implementation support.

Skills

PLC programming

Machine safety

Industrial networking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Job description

Smithfield Foods is seeking a leader in automation and controls to drive standardization of architectures, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial networks across global operations. You will lead validation, safety assessments, and cross‑functional collaboration with U.S.

and China teams to deploy best practices in automation and digital manufacturing. You will evaluate equipment, collaborate with OEMs, and guide capital projects, ensuring regulatory compliance and scalable deployment of advanced