Instrumentation and Control Engineer

RecruitAbility Ltd; Kent (OH); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health benefits

Career growth

State-of-the-art facility

Job summary

RecruitAbility Ltd places a Controls & Instrumentation Engineer at a leading American agribusiness and dairy foods company in Kent, OH. This Fortune 250 member-owned cooperative drives process automation from plant floor to corporate engineering, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

The role focuses on designing, installing, and maintaining control systems, collaborating across maintenance, operations, purchasing, and design teams, and leading automation projects to optimize equipment

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with 2+ years manufacturing/processing experience.
• Alternative: Associate degree with 5+ years controls and instrumentation experience.
• Strong ladder logic, text-based programming and DCS experience.
• Ability to design and draft machine control layouts using CAD tools.
• Hands-on troubleshooting of electrical and electronic components.
• Excellent written and verbal communication across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and modify control systems and process automation equipment.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, purchasing, and design teams to improve efficiencies.
• Develop and update machine control designs using CAD software.
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs and perform ladder logic and function block changes.
• Oversee DCSs and electronic components across the facility.
• Communicate control strategy changes to staff and vendors.

Skills

Ladder logic

Text-based programming

Function block concepts

Distributed Control Systems (DCS)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Associate’s degree with 5+ years related experience

Tools

SCADA

SQL Server

FactoryTalk

Job description

Our client is one of America’s premier agribusiness and dairy food companies—a Fortune 250 member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations spanning from agricultural production to consumer foods. Named a Top Workplace by Indeed and LinkedIn, they operate a legacy of respected brands across agribusiness and food production.

To support process optimization and automation at their Kent, OH Dairy Foods manufacturing plant, they are seeking a Controls & Instrumentation Engineer to join their team. This critical position is responsible for designing, developing, installing, managing, and maintaining equipment used to monitor and control machinery and process systems. The role works closely across operations, maintenance, purchasing, and corporate engineering to ensure all systems and processes operate safely, efficiently, and effectively.

What You GET to DO in This Role:

• Design, develop, maintain, and modify new and existing control systems and process automation equipment.
• Partner collaboratively with maintenance, operations, purchasing, and design teams to drive process equipment efficiencies, update process parameters, and troubleshoot programming.
• Utilize computer design and drafting software to develop, detail, and update machine control designs.
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs using ladder logic, text-based programming, and function block concepts.
• Oversee and maintain Distributed Control Systems (DCSs) and electronic components throughout the facility.
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert to communicate control strategy changes and system updates across all levels of staff and external vendors.

What You NEED to SUCCEED:

• Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 2+ years of manufacturing/processing experience, OR an Associate’s degree with 5+ years of related controls and instrumentation experience.
• Technical Skills: Strong experience with ladder logic, text-based programming, function block concepts, and Distributed Control Systems (DCSs).
• Design & Drafting: Proven ability to efficiently use computer design/drafting software to develop machine control layouts.
• Troubleshooting: Hands-on experience troubleshooting, programming, and repairing electrical and electronic components.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively collaborate across cross-functional plant teams and third-party vendors.
• Work Requirements: Ability to work a 1st shift schedule with flexibility for off-shift/weekend support as needed, and willingness to travel up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience with SCADA systems, SQL Server, and FactoryTalk.
• Prior experience in a Fortune 500 or unionized manufacturing environment.
• Experience leading, supervising, or developing hourly technical staff.

What’s in It for YOU?

• Competitive compensation package.
• Comprehensive health benefits, wellness programs, and employee coverage.
• Recognized company culture that fosters internal growth, mobile career progression, and long-term development.
• The opportunity to work in a high-volume, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.