Industrial Automation Engineer

Smurfit Westrock; Pleasant Prairie, Northern (WI, KY); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock in Wisconsin is seeking an Industrial Automation Engineer to lead reliability, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automation and electrical control systems across a corrugated packaging facility. This role serves as the technical lead for PLCs, motor drives, HMIs, industrial networks, sensors, and machine control systems.

You will drive uptime, support maintenance teams, and lead automation capital and improvement projects while ensuring safety and electrical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Associate degree in electrical/automation engineering.
• 7+ years in supporting industrial automation in manufacturing.
• Strong troubleshooting of PLCs, drives, HMIs, and networks.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical controls troubleshooting on BHS corrugator and related equipment.
• Develop, modify, and optimize PLC programs and HMI/SCADA apps.
• Maintain automation documentation and system backups.
• Support safety and compliance with OSHA/NFPA 70E standards.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical troubleshooting

HMI/SCADA

Industrial networking

Automation engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Automation

Associate's degree with 10+ years experience

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix

Siemens S7 & TIA Portal

PowerFlex drives

HMIs/SCADA systems

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

The Industrial Automation Engineer is responsible for the reliability, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automation and electrical control systems throughout a corrugated box manufacturing facility. This role serves as the technical lead for PLCs, motor drives, HMIs, industrial networks, sensors, and machine control systems supporting corrugators, converting equipment, material handling systems, plant utilities and auxiliary support equipment.

The successful candidate will drive equipment uptime, improve operational performance, support maintenance and production teams, and lead automation-related capital and continuous improvement projects while ensuring compliance with all safety and electrical standards.

Responsibilities

Electrical Controls & Troubleshooting

• Provide expert-level troubleshooting and repair of electrical control systems on a BHS corrugator, MHI high Speed EVOL Flexo Folder Gluers, BWP Flexo Folder Gluer, Gopfert Jumbo Flexo Folder Gluer, BOBST high yield Rotary Diecutters, Robotic systems, state of the art automated conveying equipment and auxiliary support systems.
• Diagnose and resolve complex machine downtime issues involving PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo drives, robotic systems, motion control systems, sensors, and industrial communications.
• Analyze root causes of recurring electrical and automation failures and implement corrective actions.
• Support emergency breakdown response and critical production machine recovery efforts.

PLC & Automation Systems

• Develop, modify, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC programs.
• Support systems utilizing current Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or other industrial control platforms.
• Maintain and improve HMI and SCADA applications.
• Configure and troubleshoot Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profinet, and other industrial communications networks.
• Maintain automation documentation, control narratives, and system backups.

Motor Drives & Motion Control

• Troubleshoot and optimize AC/DC motor drives, servo systems, and motion controls.
• Support startup, tuning, and commissioning of VFDs and servo drive systems.
• Analyze motor performance issues and coordinate corrective actions.
• Improve machine performance through optimization of drive parameters and control strategies.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

• Lead initiatives to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime, and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Utilize predictive and preventive maintenance methodologies for electrical and control systems.
• Perform failure analysis and develop reliability-centered maintenance strategies.
• Collaborate with operations teams to identify opportunities for automation improvements and process optimization.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, NFPA 70E, and plant electrical safety standards.
• Participate in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) development and compliance activities.
• Support machine risk assessments and safety system validations.
• Maintain compliance with company environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Mentor maintenance technicians and controls specialists.
• Provide training on PLC troubleshooting, electrical systems, drives, and control technologies.
• Serve as the plant's primary technical expert for automation systems.
• Support cross-functional teams in achieving operational excellence objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related technical field, with a minimum 7+ years of experience supporting industrial automation systems in a manufacturing environment.

Or

Associate’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related technical field, with a minimum 10+ years of experience supporting industrial automation systems in a manufacturing environment.

• Strong troubleshooting experience with:
  • PLC systems (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Siemens S7 classis and TIA Portal)
  • Variable Frequency Drives (PowerFlex, ABB, Siemens, Danfoss, Nord, etc.)
  • Servo drives and motion control systems
  • Industrial HMIs and SCADA systems
  • Electrical control panels and power distribution systems
• Experience reading and interpreting:
  • Electrical schematics
  • Control drawings
  • P&IDs
  • Equipment manuals and technical documentation
• Knowledge of industrial networking and communications protocols.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety standards and practices.

Preferred Experience

• Experience within corrugated packaging, paper converting, paper mills, or high-speed manufacturing operations.
• Experience with:
  • A modern BHS, Fosber, or MarquipWardUnited corrugator systems
  • High Speed Flexo Folder Gluers (FFG)
  • High Yield Rotary die cutters
  • Robot integration
  • Vision systems
  • Automated Conveyor Systems
  • Condition monitoring technologies
• Electrical Project Design & Management
• PLC Programming & Troubleshooting
• HMI Development
• Motion Control Systems
• Variable Frequency Drives
• Servo Systems
• Electrical Controls Design
• Reliability Engineering
• Automated Material Handling Systems
• Process Optimization
• Data Collection & Performance Analytics
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb ladders, work from elevated platforms, and access mechanical or electrical equipment areas as needed.
• Ability to lift and carry tools, parts, and equipment as required by the job.
• May be exposed to manufacturing, corrugator, warehouse, electrical room, and industrial production environments.
• Must be able to work safely around electrical equipment, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.
• May require overtime, weekend work, or on-call response to support facility operations.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.