Controls Engineer

Simmons Foods • Rogers, AR

8d • Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for creating and maintaining plant automation and control systems, staying current with new technology and safety requirements for all business unit operations. The Controls Engineer will set standards and introduce new technology in the electrical and controls field within operations. This is a salary exempt position.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in controls engineering/SCADA development.
• At least 1 year in food or beverage manufacturing.
• Vocational or Technical school in electrical systems, automation, or computer related field.
• Ability to enter and locate information on a computer.
• Must be able to work in various temperatures.
• Ability to move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property.
• As required by visiting facility, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or Computer related field.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens PLC and HMI systems.
• Experience with Ignition, Factory Talk, and Wonderware SCADA systems.
• Knowledge of food safety standards (FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF).
• Experience integrating control systems with MES and ERP platforms.
• Experience supporting CIP and SIP automation strategies.
• Ability to travel domestically to and from multiple facilities or worksites, possibly requiring overnight stays.
• Ability to travel via car or plane to various work locations.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) for food and beverage processing equipment.
• Develop and maintain SCADA systems (Ignition, Factory Talk, and Wonderware) for real-time monitoring, data logging, and reporting.
• Ensure compliance with food safety standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF) in all control system designs.
• Collaborate with production, quality, and maintenance teams to optimize process control and reduce downtime.
• Integrate control systems with MES and ERP platforms for traceability and batch management.
• Support CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-in-Place) automation strategies.
• Maintain accurate documentation including electrical schematics, control narratives, and validation protocols.
• Participates as a member of the Team, fostering strong cohesiveness and resolving issues.
• Maintains familiarity with Simmons’ established operating systems and understands the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree