Controls Engineer

Sees Candy Shops • South San Francisco, CA

310d • $135,000 - $155,000

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled and detail-oriented Controls Engineer to join our team in the confectionary manufacturing industry. This role is critical to ensure the smooth operation and optimization of automated systems, electrical equipment, and control processes across our manufacturing facility. The ideal candidate will have experience in industrial control systems, automation, and troubleshooting in a food manufacturing environment, and will work closely with engineering and production teams to improve machine performance, reduce downtime, and ensure the efficiency and safety of our production processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or comparable experience.
• 7-10 years of experience working with control systems, automation, and PLC programming in a manufacturing or industrial environment, preferably within the food or confectionary industry.
• Strong knowledge of PLC programming languages (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) and HMI/SCADA systems.
• Experience with industrial control system design, including control panels, sensors, motors, drives, and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with electrical schematics, control wiring, and panel design.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve issues quickly in a high-production environment.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing processes, GMP, and safety regulations (e.g., FDA, HACCP) is a plus.
• Proficiency with control system design software, simulation tools, and data analysis software.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage projects effectively.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with process optimization and control in high-speed manufacturing environments, particularly in confectionary or food production.
• Familiarity with robotics, vision systems, and packaging automation is a plus.
• Experience in energy management and improving operational efficiency through automation.
• Ability to design and implement preventive maintenance strategies for control systems.
• Knowledge of industry-specific regulatory compliance requirements, including food safety and quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and maintain control systems for automated manufacturing processes, including production lines, packaging systems, and material handling systems specific to confectionary production.
• Develop and troubleshoot control systems including PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), HMI (Human-Machine Interface), SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), and DCS (Distributed Control Systems).
• Collaborate with the production and engineering teams to identify opportunities for automation, efficiency improvements, and process optimization in manufacturing operations.
• Program, calibrate, and configure control systems for new and existing equipment and systems to ensure optimal functionality and performance.
• Perform routine system diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repairs to resolve issues related to control systems, electrical components, and automation equipment.
• Conduct root cause analysis on equipment failures and recommend corrective and preventive actions to reduce downtime and improve equipment reliability.
• Support the installation and commissioning of new equipment, systems, and technology, ensuring integration with existing control systems and processes.
• Implement and maintain system documentation, including control system drawings, manuals, standard operating procedures, and safety protocols.
• Monitor and analyze control system performance data to identify trends and make adjustments to improve efficiency, quality, and production speed.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, including food safety regulations, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices), and safety standards, while maintaining system reliability.
• Train and support maintenance and production teams on the operation and troubleshooting of control systems and automation equipment.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts to enhance system performance, energy efficiency, and product quality.
• Maintain relationships with corporate IT to ensure that security is a core component of all production solutions and control system integrations.
• Develop, implement, and maintain data acquisition systems to ensure accurate, efficient, and reliable collection of real-time production data.

Benefits

• Generous medical benefits
• 401(k) eligibility
• Paid time off benefits, including vacation, sick time, and parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Miscellaneous Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree