Senior Engineer - Controls

The J.M. Smucker Company; Buffalo (NY); On-site; USD 86,000 - 123,000; Full time

Job summary

The J. M. Smucker Co.

is seeking a Senior Engineer, Controls for the Buffalo MilkBone manufacturing site. You will lead controls, automation, and electrical systems, directing high-impact projects that raise reliability and efficiency on a 100% on-site team. You will mentor E&I technicians, collaborate with Operations and Engineering, and drive modernization initiatives while ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and 2+ years of controls/automation experience.
• Experience with industrial control systems and automation technologies such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, ControlLogix, Wonderware HMI, FactoryTalk, or similar platforms.
• Strong troubleshooting, project management, and continuous improvement skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site's technical expert for controls, automation, and electrical power systems.
• Lead automation, controls, and electrical infrastructure projects that improve reliability, efficiency, and plant performance.
• Drive the site's controls and power systems roadmap, including modernization initiatives and technology upgrades.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to solve complex manufacturing challenges and eliminate losses.
• Develop and mentor Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) technicians, helping build the next generation of technical talent.
• Support robotics, PLCs, HMIs, MES applications, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Leverage manufacturing data and analytics to improve operational performance and decision making.
• Champion electrical safety and ensure compliance with NFPA, OSHA, and company standards.
• Lead capital projects from concept through startup, gaining exposure to cross-functional leadership and strategic initiatives.
• Influence the future technology strategy of the Buffalo facility through innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills

Controls

Automation

Electrical Engineering

PLC Programming

Cross-functional Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

ControlLogix

Wonderware HMI

FactoryTalk

Job description

Your Opportunity as the Senior Engineer, Controls Are you ready to accelerate your engineering career while working with cutting-edge automation and manufacturing technology? Join our Buffalo MilkBone® team and become a key technical leader responsible for the site's controls, automation, and electrical systems. In this role, you'll lead high-impact projects, drive innovation, develop technical talent, and help shape the future of one of Smucker's flagship manufacturing facilities. If you're passionate about solving complex problems, implementing new technologies, and making a real impact from day one, this is the opportunity for you.

Location: Buffalo, NY | MilkBone® Manufacturing Plant

Work Arrangement: 100% On-Site

Willingness to support off-shift operations, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

Participate in an on-call rotation supporting critical plant systems

In This Role You Will:

• Serve as the site's technical expert for controls, automation, and electrical power systems.
• Lead automation, controls, and electrical infrastructure projects that improve reliability, efficiency, and plant performance.
• Drive the site's controls and power systems roadmap, including modernization initiatives and technology upgrades.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams to solve complex manufacturing challenges and eliminate losses.
• Develop and mentor Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) technicians, helping build the next generation of technical talent.
• Support robotics, PLCs, HMIs, MES applications, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Leverage manufacturing data and analytics to improve operational performance and decision making.
• Champion electrical safety and ensure compliance with NFPA, OSHA, and company standards.
• Lead capital projects from concept through startup, gaining exposure to cross‑functional leadership and strategic initiatives.
• Influence the future technology strategy of the Buffalo facility through innovation and continuous improvement.

Compensation Range: $85,500 - $123,200 annually

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 2+ years of controls, automation, or electrical engineering experience.
• Experience with industrial control systems and automation technologies such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, ControlLogix, Wonderware HMI, FactoryTalk, or similar platforms.

Additional Skills & Experience That Will Help You Succeed

• Manufacturing experience in food, pet food, consumer packaged goods, or related industries.
• Experience with robotics and automation systems, including Motoman or similar platforms.
• Working knowledge of NFPA and OSHA electrical standards.
• Strong troubleshooting, project management, and continuous improvement skills.
• Passion for learning new technologies, solving technical challenges, and developing others.

Why Join MilkBone® Buffalo?

• Lead projects early and make a visible impact on plant performance.
• Build expertise in automation, controls, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
• Work alongside experienced engineering and operations leaders.
• Develop project management and leadership capabilities.
• Gain exposure to cross‑functional teams and strategic business initiatives.
• Explore future career opportunities across Engineering, Operations, Technical Leadership, and Plant Management.

The Right Place for You

At Smucker, we believe great engineers are built through meaningful experiences, ownership, and continuous learning.

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’re 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.

We’re a community of passionate, talented professionals dedicated to creating food people and pets love—while supporting the communities in which we work and live.

We value what makes each person unique, champion growth and development, and foster collaboration that fuels productivity and drives our shared success.

Learn more about our Thrive Together purpose

Learn more about working at Smucker

Our culture is sustained and brought to life every day by the people of Smucker and our hiring process is designed to identify the right candidate for every position at our company. Learn more about our hiring process

The J. M. Smucker Co. (the “Company”) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. No person will be discriminated against in hiring or in any other aspect of their employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information, protected veteran/military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.