Senior Automation Controls Engineer

Conagra Brands; Russellville (AR); On-site; USD 82,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) and stock purchase plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Volunteer opportunities

Job summary

Conagra Brands is seeking an Automation Engineer to develop and execute automation, electrical, and instrumentation projects at our Russellville, AR site. You will provide technical support, troubleshooting, and program updates while partnering with Operations and Facilities to maintain compliant processes.

The role requires 5–8 years PLC/SCADA experience (Allen-Bradley, Ignition preferred), a technical degree, and strong cross-functional communication.

Qualifications

• 5–8 years of programmable logic controller (PLC) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition programming experience required, with Allen Bradley and Ignition preferred
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments such as FDA/USDA or Process Safety Management preferred
• Experience in manufacturing or process engineering environments preferred
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to collaborate across stakeholders
• Apply engineering principles to solve complex problems and interpret technical instructions
• Read and analyze safety rules, blueprints, electrical schematics, and piping and instrumentation diagrams, with solid knowledge of electrical and electronic principles
• Experience with HMIs, servo controllers, VFDs, sensors, and process instrumentation
• Proficiency in standard computer programs including email and Microsoft Office

Responsibilities

• Provide daily automation support to Operations and Facilities teams
• Execute automation-related projects from planning through implementation
• Develop and maintain Automation, Electrical, and Instrumentation work priority lists in collaboration with cross-functional partners
• Create and implement training programs to support development of the automation workforce
• Align site information technology and operational technology infrastructure, programming, and equipment with company standards
• Participate in Production Cell Daily Direction Setting meetings
• Contribute as an active member of Early Management or Preventative Maintenance pillar teams
• Support automation equipment obsolescence planning in partnership with pillar teams
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards and site policies
• Promote safe work practices and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently
• Maintain quality and completeness of work deliverables
• Communicate effectively across teams and stakeholders
• Provide support outside of regular hours as needed for critical operations

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA

HMI proficiency

VFDs knowledge

Electrical theory

Hardware troubleshooting

Documentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley

Ignition

Job description

Reporting to the Plant Engineering Manager, you will develop and execute Automation, Electrical, and Instrumentation projects to support site performance goals. You will provide technical support, troubleshooting, and problem-solving for automation systems while partnering with Operations and Facilities teams to maintain reliable and compliant processes across the site.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Provide daily automation support to Operations and Facilities teams
• Execute automation-related projects from planning through implementation
• Develop and maintain Automation, Electrical, and Instrumentation work priority lists in collaboration with cross-functional partners
• Create and implement training programs to support development of the automation workforce
• Align site information technology and operational technology infrastructure, programming, and equipment with company standards
• Participate in Production Cell Daily Direction Setting meetings
• Contribute as an active member of Early Management or Preventative Maintenance pillar teams
• Support automation equipment obsolescence planning in partnership with pillar teams
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards and site policies
• Promote safe work practices and ensure work is completed safely and efficiently
• Maintain quality and completeness of work deliverables
• Communicate effectively across teams and stakeholders
• Provide support outside of regular hours as needed for critical operations

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• 5-8 years of programmable logic controller (PLC) and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition programming experience required, with Allen Bradley and Ignition preferred
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electronics, Information Technology, Programming, or a related technical field preferred
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), or Process Safety Management preferred
• Experience in manufacturing or process engineering environments preferred
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to collaborate across stakeholders
• Apply engineering principles to solve complex problems and interpret technical instructions
• Read and analyze safety rules, blueprints, electrical schematics, and piping and instrumentation diagrams, with solid knowledge of electrical and electronic principles
• Experience with human-machine interfaces (HMIs), servo controllers, variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, and process instrumentation
• Proficiency in standard computer programs including email and Microsoft Office

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.

#LI-Onsite #LI-EB1 #LI-MSL

Compensation Pay Range

$82,000-$120,000 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.

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.