Electrical and Automation Engineer

Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream • Laurel, MD

74d • $98,000 - $117,000

About The Position

The Electrical and Automation Engineer is responsible for ensuring reliable, efficient, and safe operation of all electrical and control systems across the factory facility. This role leads automation initiatives, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement projects to optimize production performance, product quality, and energy efficiency.

Requirements

• Experience with electrical systems, PLC programming, and automation controls.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations and compliance standards.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean or Six Sigma.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLCs.
• Familiarity with SCADA systems.
• Project management experience in an industrial setting.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on electrical systems, motors, drives, and control panels.
• Diagnose and repair electrical faults, power distribution, PLCs, and instrumentation systems.
• Maintain and update electrical drawings, schematics, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and food manufacturing regulations.
• Program, modify, and troubleshoot PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar), HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Support automation of production lines such as mix plant, freezer, filler, and packaging systems.
• Develop and implement control logic to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and ensure consistent product quality.
• Collaborate with process engineers and operators to resolve automation issues and implement process improvements.
• Lead or support electrical and automation projects, including upgrades, new line installations, and equipment integration.
• Work with vendors and contractors to specify, design, and commission automation solutions.
• Participate in continuous improvement and reliability programs (TPM, Kaizen, Lean, Six Sigma).
• Optimize energy usage and sustainability performance through automation and system upgrades.
• Ensure adherence to food safety (HACCP, GMP) and occupational safety regulations (OSHA, NFPA).
• Conduct risk assessments, lockout/tagout (LOTO) audits, and equipment safety validations.
• Ensure the maintenance plan has purpose, that it evolves to allow the maximum time available for production.
• Drive the tasks through required work from observations and data.
• Treat all spends as if they are your own and manage costs to ensure that site costs are within budgeted requirements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive group benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• 401K plan with employer match and annual contribution.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Food Manufacturing
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees