Lead Engineer, Controls

smucker; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 94,000 - 136,000; Full time

Job summary

Smucker in Buffalo, NY is seeking a Lead Engineer, Controls to provide leadership for power and control systems, equipment specification, and maintenance. This on-site role drives reliability targets, oversees E&I technician development, and ensures compliance with NFPA 70/70e/79 and OSHA 1910.

The position reports to the Plant Engineer, with no direct reports, and requires willingness to work off-shift and on-call as needed. Compensation is competitive and reflective of senior responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• At least 5 years of controls or electrical engineering experience.
• Experience with PLC/SCADA hardware and software (e.g., Allen-Bradley, ControlLogix, Wonderware HMI, Rockwell FactoryTalk).

Responsibilities

• Lead plant power and control systems as a key member of technical leadership.
• Develop and enforce power and control standards across upgrades.
• Oversee site masterplan for power/controls, including replacement plans.
• Ensure E&I technician skill development and regulatory compliance (NFPA 70, 70e, 79 and OSHA 1910).
• Provide project management for E&I and capital projects.
• Support process engineers with MES data validation and data conditioning.

Skills

Leadership

Power systems

Control systems

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen Bradley PLC

ControlLogix

Wonderware HMI

Rockwell FactoryTalk

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Lead Engineer, Controls (full time, exempt)

Provide key leadership with regard to power and control systems, equipment specification and maintenance, proper operation, technician development, troubleshooting and repair to achieve or exceed reliability targets the plant. This role has responsibility for systems optimization, power distribution, IO layout, compliance, personnel safety, and is a resource in technician skill development relative to plant electrical power and process control systems

Location:

Buffalo, NY manufacturing plant

Work Arrangements:

100% on-site

Willingness to work off shift (including nights, weekends, and/or holidays) and flow to the work as needed

Willingness to take off-shift support calls as needed

Reports to:

Plant Engineer

Direct Reports:

none

In this role you will:

• Primary administrator and troubleshooter for plant power and control systems and is a key member of plant technical leadership
• Provide input to develop and manage power and control standards and ensure application of the standards on all projects and upgrades
• Lead the execution of the site masterplan for power and controls systems to include understanding of the installed base, and replacement plan for obsolete equipment/technologies
• Build and maintain a sustainable system for plant Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) technicians skill development.
• Ensure technician compliance to local and national regulator codes (NFPA 70, NFPA 70e, NFPA 79 and OSHA 1910)
• Responsible for validation of the MES data from PLCs. Support plant Process Engineers in conditioning PLC data to accommodate effective data analysis including application development
• Provide support in the design and implementation of machine control and process automation applications, such as: control strategies, HMI design, MES applications and KPI development
• Identify losses, and develop plans and strategies to eliminate them, in the areas of safety, quality, reliability and cost
• Own Key Elements for systems related to power and control system such as electrical safety (LOTO, Electrical PPE, Energized work permits, low voltage qualification, etc.) and Quality/CCP compliance (checkweighers, metal detectors, vision systems, ingredient flows, temperatures, etc.)
• Collaborate with leadership on selection and installation of new equipment. Become the technical expert on new equipment and ensures the training of others regarding control systems
• Serve as project manager for initiatives ranging from E&I focused projects to complete capital projects
• Provide power and controls engineering support on capital initiatives
• Learn and apply control, simulation and process modeling technologies to analyze and improve overall process and packaging operations

Compensation range: $93,500 - $136,400 annualized

What we are looking for:

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering
• 5 years of controls or electrical engineering experience
• Understanding of machine and/or process control hardware, instrumentation and software (ex: Allen Bradley PLC, ControlLogix, Wonderware HMI, and Rockwell FactoryTalk)

Additional skills and experience that we think would make someone successful in this role:

• Prior manufacturing experience
• Mechanical and electrical experience in food manufacturing
• Motoman robotics or similar automation experience
• Working knowledge of NFPA and OSHA guidelines related to electrical equipment and practices

The Right Place for You

We are bold, kind, strive to do the right thing, we play to win, and we believe in a strong community that thrives together. Our culture is rooted in our Basic Beliefs , and we believe in supporting every employee by meeting their physical, emotional, and financial needs.

We are an equal opportunity employer

All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, age, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status.