Automation Controls Engineer II

Foremost Farms USA - Appleton, WI

Full-time - Mid Level

Appleton, WI

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Automation Controls Engineer II position at Foremost Farms USA is a full-time role focused on plant floor controls programming, data collection, and the integration of plant floor equipment with manufacturing execution and enterprise resource planning systems. This role is critical in ensuring that the operations at assigned locations adhere to company policies and procedures while optimizing equipment performance and reliability. The engineer will be responsible for managing and supporting various controls projects, which includes improving equipment uptime and providing training to maintenance PLC technicians. In this position, the engineer will review existing and future PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming code to ensure compliance with approved standards and assist in the continuous improvement of controls standards. They will work closely with engineering and plant personnel to define the scope of work, specify equipment, develop quotes, and manage the integration of all controls-related projects at assigned plants. The role also involves analyzing and developing control enhancement opportunities that lead to measurable process and packaging improvements, thereby providing a return on investment (ROI). The engineer will provide field commissioning and ongoing support for controls applications, collaborating with contracted integrators to develop applications or install new plant hardware and software solutions while ensuring compliance with established standards. Documentation control is another key aspect of this role, which includes standardizing solutions across plants, writing and maintaining functional and technical specifications, and developing control narratives as required. The engineer will also be responsible for maintaining plant electrical schematics, I/O drawings, and network layouts. Leadership and ownership are essential components of this position, as the engineer will provide fact-based analysis and recommendations, coach and train key plant personnel on operating control systems, and assist plant maintenance PLC technicians in troubleshooting controls projects. The role may also involve other related duties as assigned, making it a dynamic and integral part of the operations team.

Responsibilities

• Support controls projects to improve equipment uptime and train maintenance PLC technicians.
• Review existing and future PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming code for adherence to approved standards.
• Assist engineering and plant personnel in defining scope of work, equipment specification, quote development, and integration management for controls-related projects.
• Analyze and develop control enhancement opportunities that create verifiable process/packaging improvements (ROI).
• Provide field commissioning and ongoing support for controls applications.
• Work with contracted integrators to develop applications or install new plant hardware/software solutions while monitoring compliance with standards.
• Standardize solutions across plants and maintain documentation for functional and technical specifications, scope of work, and controls project budgets.
• Maintain plant electrical schematics, I/O drawings, network, and cabinet layouts.
• Develop and maintain control narratives and write documentation for installation and operating procedures.
• Provide coaching and training to key plant personnel on running control systems and respond to inquiries regarding errors or problems.

Requirements

• Electrical and Instrumentation Technician apprenticeship or Journeyman license.
• 4+ years of equivalent electrical education and controls integration experience in RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500, ControlLogix 5000, RSNetworx, Panel View, Rockwell Factory Talk SE.
• Proficiency in GE iFix with the ability to design, program, setup, and perform field commissioning.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret electrical and hydraulic schematics, process, and instrumentation diagrams (P&ID), and building blueprints.
• Understanding of a dairy process manufacturing environment is preferred.
• Knowledge of plant floor data collection concepts and tools.
• Knowledge of relational database technology.

Nice-to-haves

• Associate Degree in Automated Manufacturing Systems, or Electrical Mechanical Technology, or related field of study with 2+ years of control integration experience.
• Bachelor's degree in an engineering field of study with a strong desire to work with electrical controls and automation as a technician with prior hands-on experience of 2+ years.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical plan including health, vision, dental, and prescription insurance with low monthly premiums and low annual deductibles.
• 401(k) with a generous company contribution (100% match on up to 8% deferral).
• Paid time off, starting at 200 hours (25 days).
• 10 Paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave (6 weeks paid at 100%).
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care (childcare) expenses.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Referral program.
• Advancement opportunities!