Sr Controls and Automation Engineer

Shearer's Foods, Inc.; Newport (AR); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Shearer’s Foods, Inc. in Newport, AR, is seeking a Sr. Controls and Automation Engineer to lead electrical and automation initiatives on site. This in-person role runs Monday–Friday at 3636 Medallion Ave, New Port, Arkansas 72112.

You will troubleshoot PLC and HMI code, back up programs, ensure prints are current, and train maintenance staff while driving improvements in cycle times and component upgrades. GMPs and food safety are essential.

Qualifications

• AS degree in Electrical Engineering or technical field.
• Five years of industrial automation or plant engineering experience.
• Proficiency with Auto-Cad and Microsoft Office.
• Strong Rockwell PLC software knowledge and troubleshooting ability.
• Experience with RSLogix 500/5000, Studio 5000, Wonderware, CCW, and FactoryTalk View Studio.
• Familiarity with SLC 500, MicroLogix, CompactLogix, ControlLogix, PanelView, PowerFlex.
• Ability to read electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical prints.

Responsibilities

• Execute safe maintenance and support a safety-first culture.
• Troubleshoot PLC/HMI code to diagnose downtime causes.
• Back up programs and ensure changes meet safety and quality standards.
• Keep electrical prints up to date for all machines.
• Develop and train maintenance personnel on controls systems.
• Improve cycle times, reduce scrap, and upgrade components with cost/performance focus.
• Provide recommendations for new equipment and avoid obsolescence.
• Assist in creating electrical and controls standards across facilities.
• Keep knowledge current on advances in equipment and processes.
• Participate in Active Safety Committee.
• Contribute to base line safe work practices and RCA participation.
• Modify PLC/HMI programs to improve processes.
• Perform duties in a food-safe manner adhering to GMPs.

Skills

High-speed manufacturing

Print interpretation

Education

AS degree in Electrical Engineering or technical field

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Rockwell PLC software

RSLogix 500

RSLogix 5000

Studio 5000

Wonderware

CCW

FactoryTalk View Studio

SLC 500

MicroLogix

CompactLogix

ControlLogix

PanelView

PowerFlex

ABB Robot programming

Fanuc Robot programming

Job description

Overview

Shearer’s Foods, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Massillon, OH, is a leading manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Specializing in private label and co-manufacturing, Shearer’s is the largest supplier of private brand salty snacks and second-largest supplier of private brand cookies and crackers.

With a strong focus on innovation, service, quality, and sustainability, Shearer’s has been awarded the food industry’s highest award for environmental sustainability, as well as multiple Supplier of the Year awards.

Operating 16 locations across North America and employing more than 5000 team members, Shearer’s is driven by its core values of People, Grow, Impact and Win. The company mission is to deliver exceptional products and services that make snacking a time to celebrate for our customers, colleagues, and community.

At Shearer’s Foods we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential. Your skills, experience, and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us.

Responsibilities

Sr. Controls and Automation Engineer

3636 Medallion Ave, New Port, Arkansas 72112

in person - Monday- Friday

Your seat at the table:

• Execute in a safe manner. Embrace and help to develop a people safety first culture.

• Preform advanced troubleshooting functions by using the PLC and HMI code to diagnose issues that are causing downtime.

• Ownership of regular program backups and ensure that all program changes adhere to Shearer’s safety and quality standards.

• Ensure that all machines have up-to-date electrical prints.

• Develop and train maintenance personnel on control systems and functions.

• Continue to find ways to improve cycle times; reduce scrap and upgrade components for cost/performance improvement being sure to communicate these changes to the wider controls team and the Proactive Maintenance central function.

• Provide recommendations to engineering team for new equipment to avoid obsolescence and design issues in the future.

• Assist the corporate controls team in creating electrical and controls standards and implement them in each facility.

• Continually improve knowledge base regarding advances in parts, equipment and processes to keep abreast of changes and innovations in equipment selection.

• Active Safety Committee Participation

• Assist in the development of base line safe work performance expectations and work practices. Identify and correct any unsafe condition and identify and unsafe action observed. Participates in RCA’s.

• Ability to make changes to existing PLC and HMI programs to improve the process.

• Perform the above duties in a food safe manner adhering to all GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices. Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Manage capital projects for electrical and automation

Qualifications

What you bring to the table:

• Minimum of AS degree in technical field including Electrical Engineering
• Five years of industrial automation engineering or plant engineering
• Full familiarity with computer programs such as Auto-Cad, Microsoft Office, etc.
• Full familiarity with Rockwell PLC software and can design, write and troubleshoot same.
• RSLogix 500
• RSlogix 5000
• Studio 5000
• Wonderware
• Connected Components Workbench (CCW) o FactoryTalk View Studio
• Full familiarity with Rockwell hardware and can design, write and troubleshoot same.
• SLC 500 o MicroLogix
• CompactLogix
• ControlLogix
• Panelview
• Powerflex
• Familiarity with high-speed manufacturing and packaging processes, operations and associated machinery.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical prints.
• ABB & Fanuc Robot programming (and others)

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.