Senior Engineer, Automation & Controls

Mark Anthony Group • Columbia, SC

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About The Position

The Senior Engineer, Automation & Controls is a strategic and technical leader at Mark Anthony Brewing, driving reliability, efficiency, and innovation across automation and operational technology platforms. The role works closely with corporate engineering, IT, OT, and site operations to maintain system integrity, performance, and scalability, with a major focus on KHS canning and packaging systems.

The engineer leads the design, optimization, and support of controls, PLC/HMI systems, and network architecture for KHS equipment and other process and packaging automation. The position also oversees project execution, programming standards, OT integration and security, downtime analysis, and collaboration with Maintenance, Production, Quality, vendors, and engineering teams. It includes training and mentoring controls engineers and technicians.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• 8+ years of automation and controls engineering experience in Food & Beverage manufacturing environments.
• Extensive hands-on experience with KHS canning and packaging systems, including configuration, programming, and system optimization.
• Expert-level PLC programming proficiency with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Siemens Step 7/TIA Portal, and Kuka controls.
• Advanced experience developing and maintaining SCADA/HMI applications, including FactoryTalk SE/ME, Ignition, WinCC, and KHS Human-Machine Interfaces (Zenon).
• Strong background in networked automation systems, including EtherNet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, OPC UA, and IT/OT convergence.
• Proven experience across the full project lifecycle, including design, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and start-up support.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing automation engineers or controls technicians.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in automation design, process control, and machine safety systems, including GuardLogix, safety PLCs, light curtains, and interlocks.
• Deep understanding of KHS automation architecture, servo motion, filler/seamer synchronization, and Kuka palletizers.
• Programming and data integration skills in Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Python, SQL, XML, VBA, and web services.
• Ability to design and optimize control panels, instrumentation, and I/O distribution.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and cross-functional communication skills.
• Familiarity with ISA standards, electrical schematics, and instrumentation calibration practices.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for KHS canning and packaging equipment, including fillers, seamers, pasteurizers, conveyors, packers, palletizers, and depalletizers.
• Design, develop, and optimize PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for process and packaging automation using Rockwell, Siemens, and KHS-specific platforms.
• Lead troubleshooting of control system issues, including PID tuning, servo and VFD configuration, network diagnostics, and machine sequencing logic.
• Develop, modify, and maintain electrical and control system documentation, including P&IDs, panel drawings, I/O lists, and network schematics.
• Execute and manage capital and continuous improvement projects from concept through commissioning while minimizing production disruption.
• Lead programming standardization across sites, enforcing MAB controls architecture, code management practices, and change control compliance.
• Integrate equipment-level controls with higher-level OT systems, including MES, Historian, SCADA, SQL databases, and reporting dashboards.
• Collaborate with IT and cybersecurity teams to ensure secure and reliable OT network performance, VLAN segmentation, and system hardening.
• Conduct root cause analyses and develop permanent corrective actions for automation-related downtime events.
• Partner with Maintenance, Production, and Quality teams to align system design with GMP, Food Safety, and operational excellence standards.
• Train and mentor controls engineers and technicians on advanced troubleshooting, controls standards, and safety procedures.
• Maintain vendor relationships with KHS and other OEMs, aligning upgrades and performance with corporate specifications.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior