Strategic Automation Project Leader: Robotics and PLCs

Smithfield Foods; Sioux City (IA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in Sioux City, IA is seeking a Strategic Automation Project Manager to lead automation and capital engineering across facilities. You will shape the technology roadmap, manage budgets, and partner with operations, IT, and vendor teams to deliver scalable solutions.

The role requires a strong engineering background in industrial automation, PLCs, robotics, SCADA, and MES, with 8+ years of experience and willingness to travel up to 50%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Automation Engineering with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• 2+ years of team management or project leadership.
• Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, instrumentation, and automation networks.
• Experience with robotics, machine vision, IIoT, and MES preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 50%.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement automation and capital engineering roadmaps.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, IT, OEMs, system integrators and stakeholders.
• Lead automation modernization initiatives: PLCs, robotics, motion control, and distributed software platforms.
• Manage projects from concept through commissioning and handoff; oversee budgets, schedules, and procurement.
• Provide design oversight for controls, electrical, instrumentation, and networking standards.
• Coordinate with vendors/contractors to ensure on-time delivery and quality.

Skills

Automation engineering

Project leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Industrial automation

Robotics integration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Automation Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix

Siemens TIA Portal

SCADA platforms (Ignition/Wonderware/FactoryTalk)

Robotics (Fanuc/ABB/KUKA)

Job description

Smithfield Foods in Sioux City, IA is seeking a Strategic Automation Project Manager to lead automation and capital engineering across facilities. You will shape the technology roadmap, manage budgets, and partner with operations, IT, and vendor teams to deliver scalable solutions.

The role requires a strong engineering background in industrial automation, PLCs, robotics, SCADA, and MES, with 8+ years of experience and willingness to travel up to 50%.