Senior Controls Engineer

Arxada; City of Rochester, Northern (NY, KY); Hybrid; USD 98,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) plan

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

Arxada in Rochester, NY is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead design, implementation, and optimization of process control systems at the site. You will collaborate with production, engineering, maintenance and EHS teams to improve reliability, safety, quality and efficiency using PLC, HMI/SCADA, DCS and instrumentation expertise.

You will mentor junior engineers, develop control standards and documentation, support capital projects from concept to commissioning, and ensure regulatory and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation, process controls, or manufacturing engineering.
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI/SCADA platforms, instrumentation, and control system troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation projects and implementing process improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, troubleshooting, and optimization of process control and automation systems across the Rochester site.
• Provide technical expertise for PLC, HMI, DCS, SCADA, instrumentation, and industrial network systems.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve process reliability, safety, quality, and production efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through data analysis, root cause investigations, and automation enhancements.
• Support capital projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring successful execution and operational readiness.
• Develop and maintain control system standards, documentation, validation records, and operating procedures.
• Mentor junior engineers and technical personnel while fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity best practices for industrial control systems.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Instrumentation

Control system troubleshooting

Problem solving

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

PLC programming software

HMI/SCADA platforms

Industrial networks

Job description

Arxada is a global leader in innovative solutions that protect our world. Our groundbreaking technologies, in-depth regulatory know-how, manufacturing and process development help our customers to safeguard nutrition, health and infrastructure efficiently through chemistry and biotechnology that enhance sustainability. We offer a broad portfolio of ingredients and services for multiple end-markets that include Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Professional Hygiene, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection. With customers in more than 100 countries, the company achieved sales of CHF 2 billion in 2024. Headquartered in Basel (Switzerland), Arxada employs 3,200 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R&D centers, all committed to our customers’ success.

As a Senior Controls Engineer based in Rochester, you will play a critical role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and continuous improvement of our manufacturing operations. You will be a key technical leader, partnering with production, engineering, maintenance, and EHS teams to design, optimize, and support process control systems that enable operational excellence. This role offers an exciting opportunity to drive innovation, solve complex technical challenges, and contribute directly to Arxada's commitment to sustainable growth and manufacturing excellence. Guided by our values of Collaborate for Success, Foster Grit, Decide and Drive, and Go Beyond, you will help shape the future of our operations while mentoring others and delivering impactful results.

Essential Job Functions

• Lead the design, implementation, troubleshooting, and optimization of process control and automation systems across the Rochester site.
• Provide technical expertise for PLC, HMI, DCS, SCADA, instrumentation, and industrial network systems.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to improve process reliability, safety, quality, and production efficiency.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives through data analysis, root cause investigations, and automation enhancements.
• Support capital projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring successful execution and operational readiness.
• Develop and maintain control system standards, documentation, validation records, and operating procedures.
• Mentor junior engineers and technical personnel while fostering a collaborative and high-performance team environment.
• Ensure compliance with company standards, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity best practices for industrial control systems.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial automation, process controls, or manufacturing engineering.
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI/SCADA platforms, instrumentation, and control system troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated experience leading automation projects and implementing process improvements in a manufacturing environment.
• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions and influence decisions through technical expertise.
• Experience working in chemical, pharmaceutical, specialty chemicals, or process manufacturing environments is preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

The expected salary range for this role is $98,000 to $132,000 annually, but specific employee compensation may vary depending on factors including experience, education, training, licensure, certification, location, and other job-related, non-discriminatory factors permitted by law. This role is also eligible to earn a short-term incentive bonus and the following benefits:

• 401(k) plan
• medical
• dental
• vision
• life
• disability insurance
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• paid sick leave

Arxada is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. US06