Controls Engineer

NLX Beverage Solutions•New Lenox, IL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The new role will involve working as the subject matter expert within project teams, to ensure automation and electrical requirements are met by our equipment suppliers, and that they seamlessly integrate with existing or future planned systems. The purpose of this role will be to lead the development, management, continuous improvement and troubleshooting of Automation, Instrumentation, Electrical & Control systems. There is also a requirement to help develop and manage automation and electrical standards for the USA and possibly beyond. As Finlays expands capacity and advances automation maturity, this role will be instrumental in building safe, reliable, and highly integrated manufacturing systems. The position is based in New Lenox, IL, with travel up to one week per month to support other Finlays Solutions sites in the USA.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Automation, Controls, or related discipline).
Proficiency in IEC‑1131 programming languages (IL, ST, LD, FBD, SFC).
Hands-on experience with Siemens and Allen-Bradley PLC/DCS platforms. (AB ControlLogix/CompactLogix and Siemens S7)
Experience with Siemens and Allen Bradley SCADA, DCS, and continuous process control systems.
Strong understanding of GMP, food manufacturing processes, and quality systems.
Experience in food & beverage, continuous processing, or related industries (e.g., Pharmaceuticals CPG. petrochemical, oils/fats).
Knowledge of asset management and preventive maintenance practices.
Strong understanding of EHS management and safe system design.
Proficiency in root cause analysis tools (RCA, FTA, A3).
Proficiency in MS Office, AutoCAD, and MS Project.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; fluency in English required.
Willingness to work additional hours, and tailor schedule appropriately to support team goals and meet deadlines
Must possess adequate vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to meet essential job performance and safety standards
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods and regularly perform physical tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, climbing, bending, stooping, squatting, and using hands for detailed tasks
Work environment sometimes involves exposure to inclement weather
Physically capable of performing tasks such as lifting, climbing, and using hand and power tools, including pallet jacks, scales, ladders, and standard material handling and cleaning equipment
Capable of safely lifting up to 50 pounds frequently throughout the day; ability to handle heavier items with proper lifting equipment or team-assisted techniques to ensure safety
Employees must be able to work in a dynamic manufacturing environment that may include exposure to odors, dust, moderate noise levels, and fluctuations in temperature and ventilation.
Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn at all times, which may include but is not limited to: safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, gloves, hairnets, uniforms, and face shields, as required by specific job duties and safety protocols

Responsibilities

Automation, Electrical & Controls Leadership Serve as the subject matter expert for automation, instrumentation, electrical, and control systems across U.S. sites.
Evaluate and improve key processes—including extraction, blending, CIP, and packaging—through robust engineering analysis.
Ensure all AIEC systems meet the highest standards of process safety, occupational safety, and sanitary design.
Maintain and improve P&IDs, electrical schematics, control logic documentation, and system architecture records.
Develop and manage long-term strategies to address aging infrastructure, equipment redundancy, and obsolescence.
Asset Management & System Reliability Manage AIEC assets to ensure optimal performance, reliability, and lifecycle health.
Define equipment criticality using risk-based methodologies and ensure appropriate spare parts strategies.
Conduct periodic audits to drive standardization of equipment, controls platforms, and spare parts across sites.
Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for automation and electrical issues, ensuring sustainable corrective actions.
Oversee change control processes, ensuring full traceability and documentation integrity.
Project & Capital Execution Lead AIEC scope for capital projects from concept through design, approval, installation, commissioning, and handover.
Develop cost–benefit analyses and business cases in partnership with Finance and cross-functional stakeholders.
Collaborate with internal teams and external engineering partners to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to specification.
Ensure supplier and contractor performance meets Finlays’ safety, quality, and technical standards.
Commissioning, Validation & Integration Lead commissioning, qualification, and startup of new automation and electrical systems.
Conduct system trials, validate control logic, and ensure seamless integration with existing operations.
Support scaling of new technologies and upgrades to enhance automation maturity and process capability.
Continuous Improvement & Technical Support Drive continuous improvement initiatives aligned with World Class Manufacturing (WCM) principles.
Monitor system performance, identify improvement opportunities, and implement sustainable enhancements.
Provide technical support to operations, maintenance, engineering, and cross-functional teams.
Support development and maintenance of AIEC standards for Finlays Solutions and potentially global operations.
Safety, Compliance & Governance Ensure strict adherence to engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and internal safety policies.
Collaborate with Process Safety, Quality, and Food Safety teams to ensure compliance across all AIEC activities.
Promote a strong safety culture and ensure contractors operate in full compliance with Finlays’ expectations.