Electrical and Automation Engineer

External•Laurel, MD

16h•Onsite

About The Position

The Electrical and Automation Engineer is responsible for ensuring the reliable, efficient, and safe operation of all electrical and control systems within the factory facility. This role leads automation initiatives, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement projects aimed at optimizing production performance, product quality, and energy efficiency. The company is undergoing a period of accelerated growth as part of Froneri, a global leader in ice cream, and is investing in significant capital expansions to grow its Operations and Supply Chain. The role is based in Walnut Creek, California, and offers an opportunity to contribute to transforming the business into the #1 ice cream brand.

Requirements

Experience with PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar)
Experience with HMIs
Experience with SCADA systems
Experience with electrical systems, motors, drives, and control panels
Experience with power distribution, PLCs, and instrumentation systems
Knowledge of electrical codes, safety standards, and food manufacturing regulations
Familiarity with food safety (HACCP, GMP) and occupational safety regulations (OSHA, NFPA)
Ability to conduct risk assessments, lockout/tagout (LOTO) audits, and equipment safety validations
Ability to manage, monitor, and control costs
Must consistently showcase desired behaviors representing Core Values (Ownership, Doing What Is Right, Seeking to Improve, Being Better Together)
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States now and in the future.
The pay range for prospective employees in this role is between $98,000 and $117,000 per year.

Nice To Haves

Experience in automation of production lines such as mix plant, freezer, filler, and packaging systems.
Experience in continuous improvement and reliability programs (TPM, Kaizen, Lean, Six Sigma).
Experience with condition-based maintenance.
Experience with energy usage optimization and sustainability performance.

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, evolves to allow maximum time for production, and replaces only worn/broken parts based on condition rather than planned replacement.
Drive required work from observations and data, not just theoretical plans.
Perform full evaluation of cost, availability, and requirement to decide if run to failure or replace.
Ensure maintenance tasks adhere to company's food safety policies.
Ensure all working practices comply with company rules and procedures for safety.
Maintain full and up-to-date records of all equipment for traceability.
Manage, monitor, and control costs to ensure site costs are within budgeted requirements.
Represent The Froneri Way of working through behaviors and characteristics in the Operating Model and Core Values.