Controls Engineer

The Marzetti Company•Atlanta, GA

23d

About The Position

The Automation & Controls Engineer is a hands-on technical resource responsible for the reliability, improvement, integration, and cybersecurity of automation systems across food processing, packaging, plant utilities, and facility infrastructure. The role works with a high degree of independence to support production, resolve complex controls issues, modernize legacy systems, and deliver projects that improve safety, food quality, throughput, equipment uptime, and the operator experience. The engineer partners with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality and Food Safety, Continuous Improvement, Information Technology, external OEMs, and system integrators. The technology environment includes Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs programmed with Studio 5000; other potential controls platforms; Ignition and FactoryTalk visualization; manufacturing systems; industrial communications and databases; OT networks and cybersecurity tools; and processing, packaging, robotics, motion, instrumentation, building management, and utility systems.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.
Demonstrated automation and controls experience in a manufacturing environment supporting production equipment and plant operations.
Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation ControlLogix or CompactLogix PLCs and Studio 5000 Logix Designer.
Experience developing, maintaining, or troubleshooting SCADA/HMI systems using Ignition, FactoryTalk, or a comparable industrial platform.
Strong troubleshooting capability across PLC logic, industrial networks, VFDs, servo or motion systems, instrumentation, I/O, and production equipment.
Working knowledge of industrial communications and device integration, including EtherNet/IP and at least one of OPC, Modbus, MQTT, Profibus, or a comparable protocol.
Ability to read and use electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, network drawings, equipment manuals, and technical specifications.
Strong problem-solving, communication, documentation, project ownership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Ability to work safely and effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and provide flexible support for a 24/7 operation.

Responsibilities

Program, troubleshoot, maintain, and optimize PLC-based control systems, primarily Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix using Studio 5000.
Support and troubleshoot other controls platforms deployed in the facility, which may include ABB, Bosch Rexroth, Mitsubishi, Omron, and Siemens.
Develop, maintain, and improve SCADA/HMI applications using Ignition and FactoryTalk, including tags, alarms, trends, historian data, reports, recipes, security roles, and operator interfaces.
Identify and execute controls and infrastructure improvements, upgrades, migrations, obsolescence-risk mitigation, and standardization initiatives.
Troubleshoot VFDs, servo and motion systems, instrumentation, remote I/O, industrial robots, safety systems, and machine-to-machine communications.
Maintain controls documentation, including software backups, change records, I/O lists, control narratives, network diagrams, wiring schematics, and operating or troubleshooting procedures.
Partner with IT and OT cybersecurity teams to support the design, documentation, implementation, and improvement of segmented OT networks aligned with the Purdue Model and a five-layer manufacturing technology stack.
Support managed industrial Ethernet switches, VLANs, IP addressing, network paths, and device communications; coordinate firewall-rule changes, Claroty xDome Secure Access, and secure connectivity with IT.
Implement and maintain role-based access, least-privilege permissions, user groups, and account governance across controls, manufacturing, server, and network environments.
Integrate OEM equipment, sensors, PLCs, SCADA, MES, historians, databases, and enterprise systems using appropriate industrial protocols and communications.
Support MQTT and edge-connectivity solutions, including broker connectivity, topic or namespace design, reliable data transfer, and plant-floor-to-enterprise integration.
Configure and support Microsoft SQL Server connections, tables, queries, views, and data flows; develop Python scripts for data collection, diagnostics, reporting, configuration, and repetitive engineering tasks.
Provide responsive technical support to Maintenance and Operations, owning control-system problems through containment, diagnosis, corrective action, and verified resolution.
Lead or participate in root cause analysis for recurring failures, production losses, quality events, and communication issues, and translate findings into sustainable improvements.
Identify and implement improvements to safety, reliability, throughput, OEE, product quality, waste, ergonomics, maintainability, and operator experience.
Lead or support capital and continuous-improvement projects, including requirements, controls specifications, vendor design reviews, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, startup, validation, and handoff.
Work with machine builders, OEMs, system integrators, and controls vendors to define, design, implement, troubleshoot, and improve equipment and processes.
Support automation and data integration for processing, packaging, building management, refrigeration, compressed air, steam, chilled water, process water, wastewater, electrical monitoring, and other plant utility systems.
Ensure automation solutions support employee safety, food safety, product quality, regulatory requirements, sanitation practices, GMPs, and company standards.
Follow change-management, testing, backup, restore, version-control, and disaster-recovery practices for control-system modifications.
Contribute to automation standards, code libraries, naming conventions, HMI design practices, network standards, cybersecurity controls, and documentation requirements.
Monitor OT asset condition, lifecycle risk, vulnerabilities, and critical spares, and recommend risk-reduction and modernization plans.
Coach and train technicians, operators, and engineering partners on controls functionality, safe troubleshooting practices, and effective use of automation systems.