Pilot Plant Controls & Automation Engineer

ConAgra Foods•Omaha, NE

18h•Onsite

About The Position

This hands-on, plant-based engineering role is located at the Omaha, Nebraska pilot plant and reports to the Pilot Plant Maintenance Manager. The engineer conducts daily setup and teardown of pilot plant equipment for product development trials and provides technical leadership and hands-on support for site automation, electrical, and instrumentation systems. The role develops and implements automation projects, troubleshoots equipment and controls issues, and partners with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Facilities, Information Technology, and other site teams to improve reliability, efficiency, safety, and plant performance. The work focuses on PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, instrumentation, electrical controls, and manufacturing equipment automation. The position may require off-hours technical support and work in manufacturing facilities.

Requirements

3+ years of PLC and SCADA programming experience, with hands-on experience supporting industrial automation and electrical systems.
Experience troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, servo controllers, VFDs, sensors, process instrumentation, and electrical/electronic components.
Strong technical troubleshooting skills, including applying engineering principles to resolve complex manufacturing, process, and equipment issues.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, P&IDs, safety documentation, and equipment manuals.
Strong communication and problem-solving skills, with the ability to partner across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT, and other plant functions.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard computer applications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Automation, Controls, Information Technology, Computer Programming, or a related technical field is preferred.
Experience in a manufacturing or process environment, including regulated operations such as FDA, USDA, GMP, or PSM environments, is preferred.
Experience supporting industrial IT/OT infrastructure and automation system standards is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct daily setup and teardown of pilot plant equipment to assist with product development trials.
Assist with pilot plant compliance, including annual calibration, LOTO review, and fire suppression system inspection.
Provide daily automation and controls support to Operations, Maintenance, and Facilities teams.
Troubleshoot and resolve issues involving PLCs, SCADA systems, HMIs, instrumentation, electrical systems, and controls.
Develop, program, implement, and support automation projects that improve equipment performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturing efficiency.
Partner with site teams to establish and manage automation, electrical, and instrumentation work priorities.
Ensure site IT/OT infrastructure, programming, controls, and equipment align with current company standards.
Develop and implement technical training to strengthen the capabilities of the site's automation, electrical, and instrumentation workforce.
Read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, P&IDs, equipment manuals, and other technical documentation.
Ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to established quality standards.
Follow and reinforce site safety, environmental, electrical safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices requirements.
Provide off-hours technical support when needed.