Controls Automation Engineer

Winland Foods•Grand Forks, ND

10d•$73,000 - $108,900•Onsite

About The Position

The Controls Automation Engineer works as part of a diverse team and serves as a subject matter expert in PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and plant operating systems. The role works directly with maintenance technicians, operators, supervisors, and managers to resolve automation issues and develop and implement best practices aligned with Winland Foods’ maintenance and reliability strategies. The engineer champions continuous improvement across the plant, brings forward ideas, and uses data to support operational and cost-efficiency initiatives in controls and automation. The position supports multiple high-speed food-processing production lines, including engineering updates and testing, automation implementation and design recommendations, system maintenance, troubleshooting, reliability improvements, preventive maintenance, equipment upgrades, and installations. It also involves mentoring operators, technicians, and peers, sharing technical knowledge, and consistently following and promoting plant safety practices. The primary schedule is first shift, Monday through Friday, with flexibility as needed. The work location is 1801 N 36th St, Grand Forks, North Dakota. The stated annual salary range is $73,000–$108,900 based on experience and other qualifications, with additional bonus potential.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or a related discipline; a BSEE is preferred. The posting also considers 10 or more years of related experience in lieu of a university degree, or 5 or more years of related experience plus a technical degree or certification.
Experience in control-panel design and layout for new production equipment.
Proficiency with Rockwell Software, including Studio 5000, RSLogix5000, RSLogix500, and FactoryTalk View Studio.
Proficiency using electrical troubleshooting tools such as multimeters, loop simulators, and meggers.
Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, VFDs, and HMIs.
Experience with SCADA systems.
Ability to communicate effectively and resolve issues across multiple departments and organizational levels.
Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Ability to communicate issues and solutions effectively to cross-functional team members.
Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics.
Willingness to serve as a technical leader and trainer within a plant or machine-center area.
Knowledge of high-tech automation and control products, engineering principles related to automation products, and suppliers’ automation products.

Nice To Haves

BSEE degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Assist Engineering with updates, changes, and testing of modifications for multiple high-speed food-processing production lines.
Assist with automation implementation, design, and recommendations for existing and future high-speed production-line projects.
Perform periodic maintenance of systems.
Troubleshoot automation and instrumentation issues involving automated food-processing systems, robotic systems, and transfer systems, including electrical and control systems with minimal documentation or information.
Research, recommend, and implement automation improvements to equipment reliability.
Plan, lead, and execute automation preventive-maintenance efforts to minimize equipment downtime.
Use creative problem solving to identify and perform equipment improvements.
Coach and mentor operators, technicians, and peers on automation procedures related to high-speed food-manufacturing equipment.
Participate in special projects involving equipment upgrades or installations.
Collaborate with peers and team members to transfer specialist technical knowledge.
Follow plant safety guidelines and encourage peers to do the same.
Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
Research and implement continuous-improvement opportunities.
Recommend inventory of automation products.
Perform additional instrumentation and electrical duties as assigned.