Senior Automation Engineer

Tastepoint by IFF; Wilmington (DE); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Competitive retirement savings plan

Generous paid time off

Job summary

Tastepoint by IFF is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to enable reliable, efficient, and scalable operations. The role involves designing, implementing, and evolving automation systems in a flexible R&D environment, requiring strong PLC programming and hands-on integration skills.

Successful candidates will collaborate with engineers and scientists to translate process requirements into robust control and data solutions. Comprehensive health benefits, competitive retirement plans, and a collaborative work environment are just a few of the perks on offer.

Qualifications

• 7+ years as an automation and/or controls integration engineer in an industrial or R&D setting.
• Development of non-Ladder Logic PLC automation systems.
• Safety oriented approach to system design and control logic.

Responsibilities

• Design and support automation for flexible, experimental process systems.
• Collaborate with engineers, scientists, and technicians.
• Own automation systems from concept through implementation.

Skills

PLC programming

Hands-on system integration

Control strategies

Industrial communication protocols

SQL

Attention to detail

Team player

Education

B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical/Controls Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field

Tools

SCADA

Data visualization tools (e.g., Spotfire)

Job description

Job Summary IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Job Summary IFF is a global leader in flavors, fragrances, food ingredients and health & biosciences. We deliver sustainable innovations that elevate everyday products.

Health & Biosciences: Channeling our passion for nature and bioscience into sustainable, life‑enhancing technologies that power innovative solutions across healthcare, food, consumer, and industrial markets.

Located at the DuPont Experimental Station, this role supports a business that applies science, engineering and bioscience innovation to develop enzymes, cultures, probiotics and other solutions that help improve product performance, advance sustainability and enhance health and wellness across multiple markets.

Be part of a collaborative, solution‑oriented, and innovative team where together we can achieve greatness and make a real impact. Your potential is our inspiration.

As part of this team, the Senior Automation Engineer will help enable reliable, efficient and scalable operations in a highly collaborative R&D environment. We are seeking a Senior Automation Engineer who can design, implement, and evolve automation systems in a flexible R&D environment, with strong PLC programming skills, hands‑on system integration experience, and the ability to translate process needs into robust control and data solutions.

Where You’ll Make a Difference

• Design and support automation for flexible, experimental process systems, requiring frequent modification, rapid iteration, and integration of new instrumentation.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, scientists and technicians to translate process requirements into control strategies and data systems.
• Own automation systems from concept through implementation, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement.
• Programming and maintaining PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and data historians.
• Select, integrate, and troubleshoot process instrumentation (e.g., flow, pressure, temperature, gas analysis).
• Diagnose and resolve issues in field wiring, I/O signals (analog/digital), and industrial communication networks.
• Provide hands‑on support, including working within electrical enclosures, validating signals, and commissioning control systems.
• Support automated data collection, reporting systems, and integration with local networks.

What Makes You The Right Fit

• 7+ years as an automation and/or controls integration engineer in an industrial or R&D setting.
• Development of non‑Ladder Logic PLC automation systems to control existing processes and field instruments.
• Knowledge and experience implementing and managing custom SCADA and MES.
• Safety oriented approach to system design and control logic.
• Familiarity with electrical system design, including panel layouts, I/O architecture, and applicable standards (UL 508A, NFPA 70E).
• Understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g. OPC, Modbus, serial communication).
• Experience using SQL for database updating and retrieval.
• Excellent record keeping and attention to detail.
• Team player with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast‑paced, evolving R&D environment.

How Would You Stand Out?

• B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical/Controls Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field; equivalent industry experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Familiarity with natural language query (NLQ) and AI‑enabled analytics platforms.
• Proficiency with data visualization tools such as Spotfire and statistical software such as JMP.
• Experience with database development and management.
• Ability to work effectively within existing corporate network and firewall constraints.
• Experience supporting automation initiatives across both industrial and R&D environments.
• Hands‑on troubleshooting experience within electrical enclosures.

Why Choose Us?

• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, vision, and wellness programs.
• Competitive retirement savings plan with company contribution.
• Generous paid time off, holidays, and parental leave.
• Career development programs and tuition reimbursement opportunities.
• Employee assistance programs and well‑being resources.
• Collaborative work environment with opportunities to contribute to impactful innovation.

We are a global leader in taste, scent, and nutrition, offering our customers a broader range of natural solutions and accelerating our growth strategy. At IFF, we believe that your uniqueness unleashes our potential. We value the diverse mosaic of the ethnicity, national origin, race, age, sex, or veteran status. We strive for an inclusive workplace that allows each of our colleagues to bring their authentic self to work regardless of their religion, gender identity & expression, sexual orientation, or disability.

Visit IFF.com/careers/workplace-diversity-and-inclusion to learn more