Principal Engineer, Intelligent Factory
About The Position
The Principal Intelligent Factory Controls Engineer is a highly experienced individual contributor responsible for advancing manufacturing automation, equipment connectivity, and Intelligent Factory technologies across Reynolds Consumer Products’ Cooking and Foil operations. Based at the Louisville plant in Louisville, Kentucky, the role also supports plants in Hot Springs, Arkansas; Bellwood, Virginia; and Wheeling, Illinois, and requires travel of up to 25%. The position develops and implements scalable manufacturing technology solutions that enable data-driven decision-making, operational visibility, and digital transformation. It applies deep expertise in controls engineering, industrial connectivity, and manufacturing systems integration to solve complex technical challenges, develop reusable engineering solutions, and influence standards and best practices that improve manufacturing performance, reliability, and business outcomes across facilities. The role leads integrated manufacturing technology architecture and deployment, connecting production assets with Intelligent Factory platforms and supporting enterprise analytics and performance management. It advances machine connectivity, data quality, operational performance, and emerging technologies, including capabilities that support advanced analytics and AI-driven initiatives. The engineer also provides technical oversight, consultation, and guidance; partners with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, IT/OT, OEMs, and system integrators; and supports knowledge transfer and long-term adoption of implemented solutions.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant work experience.
- 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, manufacturing systems integration, or related manufacturing technology disciplines.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex manufacturing technology challenges involving PLCs, industrial networks, machine connectivity, SCADA, MES, historians, manufacturing data systems, and OT environments.
- Ability to independently develop, implement, and support enterprise-scale technical solutions that deliver measurable operational and business value across multiple manufacturing facilities.
- Experience providing technical guidance, mentoring, and subject matter expertise to engineers, plant resources, OEMs, system integrators, and cross-functional project teams.
- Advanced knowledge of industrial automation, controls engineering, manufacturing systems integration, and OT environments.
- Expertise with PLCs, HMI/SCADA platforms, industrial networking, machine connectivity, and manufacturing data systems.
- Ability to anticipate future technical and market needs and translate insights into engineering strategies and long-term growth opportunities.
- Ability to evaluate technical feasibility, strategic fit, business potential, risk, and financial return to guide priorities and investments.
- Ability to navigate complex technical, operational, and organizational challenges and develop practical, scalable solutions.
- Ability to collaborate across teams and communicate complex technical concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Willingness to travel up to 25%.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience supporting digital transformation, operational excellence, or Intelligent Factory initiatives within a manufacturing environment.
- Familiarity with Industry 4.0, IIoT, advanced analytics, AI-enabled manufacturing technologies, and digital transformation initiatives.
Responsibilities
- Develop and implement manufacturing automation, connectivity, and Intelligent Factory solutions that improve operational performance, visibility, and business outcomes.
- Solve complex manufacturing technology challenges with scalable, reliable, supportable solutions aligned with business goals.
- Serve as a subject matter expert in controls, automation, industrial connectivity, and manufacturing systems integration, influencing technical direction across facilities.
- Lead the design and deployment of integrated manufacturing technology architectures that connect production assets with Intelligent Factory platforms.
- Integrate manufacturing systems, machine data, and operational technologies to support enterprise analytics, performance management, and digital transformation.
- Establish reusable technical approaches that accelerate deployment, improve consistency, and reduce complexity across manufacturing operations.
- Design and deliver machine connectivity and automation solutions that enable accurate performance measurement and data-driven decision-making.
- Ensure manufacturing data is accurate and reliable for KPIs, operational analytics, and continuous improvement.
- Identify and implement technology-enabled opportunities to improve efficiency, reliability, productivity, and process performance.
- Evaluate, develop, and operationalize emerging manufacturing technologies that create measurable business value and support Intelligent Factory strategy.
- Lead technical proof-of-concept and pilot initiatives, validate technologies, and establish scalable deployment approaches.
- Advance controls, sensing, and connectivity capabilities needed for manufacturing intelligence, advanced analytics, and AI-driven initiatives.
- Establish and promote standards, best practices, and technical frameworks for consistency, maintainability, and supportability across facilities.
- Provide technical oversight and guidance for manufacturing technology investments, ensuring alignment with architectural, operational, and cybersecurity requirements.
- Capture and apply organizational learning to improve future implementations and engineering practices.
- Partner with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, IT/OT, OEMs, and system integrators to deliver solutions that meet business and operational objectives.
- Provide expert consultation on complex technical challenges and drive resolution of issues with significant operational impact.
- Facilitate knowledge transfer and technical capability development to support adoption and long-term support of implemented solutions.
Benefits
- 25% annual incentive eligibility, provided the business meets financial goals and the individual meets performance goals, subject to plan administration guidelines.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
