Principal Engineer Controls

Conagra Brands; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 109,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Bonus opportunity

401(k) match

Stock purchase plan

Career development

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Parental leave

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Conagra Brands seeks a technical expert in manufacturing automation to partner with engineering disciplines, project teams, and site stakeholders. You will evaluate requirements, develop optimized automation and control solutions, and support capital investment projects across multiple sites and field locations.

You will lead the technical assessment of systems, engineer FAT/SAT support, and drive continuous improvement through best-in-class technologies and industry practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
• 7+ years of electrical and control system design experience.
• 5+ years with Rockwell Automation control systems.
• Food industry experience preferred.
• Experience with factory and capital project work.

Responsibilities

• Develop automation and control system solutions across engineering disciplines.
• Prepare FEL estimates and technical assessments for capital projects.
• Evaluate and recommend best-in-class automation and integration solutions.
• Lead project schedules and ensure alignment with business goals.
• Review performance criteria to ensure reliability and efficacy.
• Support FAT/SAT activities and risk/opportunity analyses.
• Develop functional control descriptions for manufacturing units.
• Create technical briefs and business case scopes for project evaluation.
• Stay updated with industry regulations and standards.

Skills

Automation systems

Networking concepts

PLC programming

VFDs & servo systems

HMI development

SQL / database integration

Cybersecurity awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Rockwell Automation control systems

Inductive Automation Ignition

Aveva Wonderware

Rockwell Software

Job description

Reporting to the Director Engineering, you will serve as a technical expert and resource across the Conagra Engineering organization. You will partner with engineering disciplines, project teams, and site stakeholders to evaluate requirements, develop optimized automation and control system solutions, and support capital investment projects. You will provide technical leadership for manufacturing automation systems, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and help drive innovation through best-in-class technologies and industry practices.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Partner with Platform Engineering leadership to develop annual and three-year capital plans by recommending proven system improvements and automation solutions.
• Support Front End Loading capital project development by preparing thorough FEL1 and FEL3 estimates and technical assessments.
• Provide technology evaluations and recommend best-in-class automation, controls, and integration solutions.
• Conduct factory infrastructure assessments and identify facility requirements for capital projects.
• Support preliminary capital and expense cost estimating activities.
• Collaborate with Engineering Project Managers to develop project design schedules that align with business objectives.
• Review equipment and system performance criteria to ensure operational effectiveness and reliability.
• Support Process and Packaging Engineering teams during Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing activities.
• Identify project prerequisites, risks, alternative solutions, and opportunities for optimization.
• Develop functional control descriptions for manufacturing systems and unit operations.
• Create and review Technical Briefs that provide clear technical guidance for project teams.
• Develop Business Case Screening scopes and estimates that provide directional project evaluation and business case validation.
• Maintain knowledge of current industry regulations, codes, and standards related to manufacturing automation and control systems.
• Provide technical and economic feasibility analyses that support continuous improvement and competitive advantage initiatives.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science.
• 7+ years of experience in electrical and control system design.
• 5+ years of experience working with Rockwell Automation control systems.
• Experience in the food industry preferred
• Experience with operations and manufacturing conceptual design.
• Advanced knowledge of manufacturing automation systems, including networking concepts, programmable logic controllers, variable frequency drives, servo systems, and human machine interfaces.
• Expert-level experience with human machine interface visualization systems, database integration, and SQL Server applications.
• Experience with Inductive Automation Ignition, Rockwell Software, Aveva Wonderware, or similar industrial automation platforms.
• Experience supporting advanced process and packaging controls, including robotic packaging systems, batching systems, and Clean-In-Place systems.
• Experience leading large-scale system integration projects and programs.
• Experience leading internal initiatives and driving cross-functional improvements.
• Knowledge of computer systems, network integration, information technology systems, and cybersecurity principles is preferred.
• Demonstrated success developing long-term strategies, roadmaps, and technical initiatives.
• Proven track record identifying improvement opportunities and implementing sustainable solutions.

This position is located in Omaha NE, Chicago IL, select field locations or remote locations east of Denver, CO and within reasonable proximity (50 miles) to a major airport. Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process.

This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:
You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.
You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.
This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment.
Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

Compensation

Pay Range: $109,000-$159,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position.

An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity.

Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Anticipated Close Date: September 29, 2026

Our Benefits

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career.

We're in the business of building champions - within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet.

Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career.

We're in the business of building champions - within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye ®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet.

Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.