Sr Automation Control Engineer

Keurig Dr Pepper; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Keurig Dr Pepper in Knoxville, TN seeks an experienced automation engineer to lead PLC and HMI projects, design and troubleshoot control systems, and optimize manufacturing processes.

You will collaborate with OEMs and maintenance teams, develop preventive maintenance plans, support capital projects from design to commissioning, and champion safety and food-safety compliance across the site.

Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation within manufacturing environments.
• Strong knowledge of PLC/HMI programming and troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with preventive maintenance and TPM methodologies.
• Experience coordinating with OEMs, system integrators, and cross-functional teams.
• Knowledge of safety standards (OSHA, LOTO) and food safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Serve as site SME for PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networks, motion control, robotics, drives, and automated equipment.
• Design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC and HMI applications while supporting equipment upgrades and system enhancements.
• Partner with OEMs, system integrators, and vendors to commission new equipment and improve existing automation systems.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex electrical, controls, instrumentation, and automation issues to minimize downtime.
• Evaluate emerging automation technologies and recommend improvements that increase reliability, throughput, and operational efficiency.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance strategies, SOPs, and troubleshooting documentation.

Skills

Allen-Bradley PLC

ControlLogix

CompactLogix

FactoryTalk

HMIs

VFDs

Servo systems

Industrial networking

SCADA

Data historians

Lean Manufacturing

Six Sigma Green Belt

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Automation/Mechatronics

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC platforms

ControlLogix/CompactLogix

FactoryTalk

HMIs

VFDs and servo systems

SCADA

Industrial Ethernet networks

SQL databases

Job description

Responsibilities

• Serve as the site subject matter expert for PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networks, motion control, robotics, drives, and automated equipment. Develop and maintain automation standards, control philosophies, and engineering best practices across the facility.
• Design, program, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC and HMI applications while supporting equipment upgrades and system enhancements.
• Partner with OEMs, system integrators, and vendors to commission new equipment and improve existing automation systems.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex electrical, controls, instrumentation, and automation issues to minimize downtime.
• Evaluate emerging automation technologies and recommend improvements that increase reliability, throughput, and operational efficiency.
• Analyze equipment performance, downtime trends, and system data to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance strategies, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and troubleshooting documentation.
• Support capital projects including equipment specification, design review, installation, startup, commissioning, and validation.
• Champion a strong safety culture by ensuring compliance with OSHA regulations, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical safety standards, and company policies.
• Ensure automation systems comply with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Participate in safety audits, risk assessments, and equipment safety reviews.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to maintenance technicians, controls technicians, and operations personnel.
• Train production and maintenance teams on new automation systems, controls, and equipment functionality.
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, IT, and external vendors to achieve site performance objectives.
• Support project planning, resource coordination, and execution while ensuring projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field preferred. High school diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience supporting industrial automation and controls within a manufacturing, distribution, or automated material handling environment.
• Strong experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms (ControlLogix, CompactLogix), FactoryTalk, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, and industrial networking.
• Experience troubleshooting electrical controls, instrumentation, robotics, vision systems, and automated equipment.
• Experience leading automation projects, system upgrades, and equipment commissioning.
• Strong understanding of preventive maintenance, root cause analysis, Lean Manufacturing, and TPM methodologies.
• Experience working with OEMs, system integrators, and cross-functional engineering teams.
• Experience in high-speed manufacturing, food and beverage, consumer packaged goods, or automated distribution environments.
• Experience with SCADA systems, industrial Ethernet networks, SQL databases, and data historians.
• Knowledge of warehouse automation systems, conveyors, sortation systems, robotics, AGVs/AMRs, or ASRS equipment.
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt certification is a plus.
• Physical requirements: ability to lift, push, and pull up to 50 pounds as needed; ability to walk production and warehouse floors for extended periods; ability to climb ladders, access elevated platforms, bend, kneel, and work around energized industrial equipment while following established safety procedures.
• Ability to support off-shift, weekend, and emergency troubleshooting as business needs require.