Senior Engineer, Automation & Controls
About The Position
The Senior Automation and Controls Engineer is a strategic and technical leader within Mark Anthony Brewing, responsible for driving reliability, efficiency, and innovation across automation and operational technology platforms. The role works closely with corporate engineering, IT, OT, and site operations to ensure system integrity, performance, and scalability. A major focus is KHS canning and packaging systems, including the design, optimization, and support of related controls, PLC/HMI systems, and network architecture to deliver strong manufacturing performance. The position leads automation and controls work across process and packaging operations, supports capital and continuous improvement projects from concept through commissioning, and promotes consistent controls architecture and change management practices across sites. It also integrates equipment controls with higher-level OT platforms and partners with operational, IT, cybersecurity, quality, and maintenance teams to support reliable, secure, and standards-aligned manufacturing systems. The role provides technical mentorship to engineers and technicians and maintains relationships with KHS and other equipment vendors.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Automation Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
- 8+ years of experience in automation and controls engineering in Food & Beverage manufacturing environments.
- Extensive hands-on experience with KHS canning and packaging systems, including configuration, programming, and system optimization.
- Expert-level proficiency in PLC programming, including 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 with the full project lifecycle, including design, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and start-up support.
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing automation engineers or controls technicians.
- 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.
- Strong 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 to commissioning while minimizing production disruption.
- Lead programming standardization across sites, including 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 support 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 in advanced troubleshooting, controls standards, and safety procedures.
- Maintain vendor relationships with KHS and other OEMs to align with corporate specifications, upgrades, and performance targets.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
