Senior Strategic Automation Project Manager

Smithfield Foods•Sioux City, MN

10d

About The Position

As part of Smithfield’s Engineering organization, the Senior Strategic Automation Project Manager leads the development and execution of strategic automation and capital engineering initiatives to modernize manufacturing capabilities, improve equipment performance, and support long-term business growth. The role aligns engineering investments with enterprise objectives and delivers complex automation projects across multiple facilities. The position manages a portfolio of automation, controls, robotics, and equipment modernization projects from concept through commissioning and operational handoff. It combines strategic project leadership with engineering expertise in industrial automation systems, controls architecture, equipment integration, and manufacturing technologies. The role balances technical excellence, project governance, budget performance, and stakeholder alignment to deliver scalable solutions that support future manufacturing needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline, and 8+ years of relevant experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
Strong understanding of industrial automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, instrumentation, VFDs, motion control, robotics, and industrial networks.
Basic coding and scripting experience, with the ability to understand software integration, databases, data collection systems, APIs, and industrial communication protocols.
Experience executing automation projects, including controls design, equipment procurement, installation management, commissioning, and startup support.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, controls narratives, and automation architecture documentation.
Strong understanding of capital project management principles, engineering design reviews, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
Excellent communication, leadership, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to travel up to 50% to support engineering initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Experience with robotics, machine vision, IIoT technologies, MES systems, and digital manufacturing platforms.
PMP certification, PE license, or equivalent project management and engineering credentials.
Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and Siemens TIA Portal experience.
Experience with Ignition, Wonderware, FactoryTalk, or similar SCADA platforms.
Robotics integration experience with Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa.
Experience with machine vision and inspection systems.
Experience with Industrial Ethernet and OT network design.
Equipment OEM management and system integration oversight experience.
Exposure to electrical power distribution and control panel design.
Experience with manufacturing data systems and Industrial IoT platforms.
Experience with capital planning and engineering portfolio management.
Working knowledge of PLC programming and controls logic development in Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or similar automation systems.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a multi-year automation engineering roadmap supporting facility expansion, equipment modernization, advanced manufacturing initiatives, and evaluation of emerging technologies.
Partner with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, IT, OEMs, system integrators, and external stakeholders to define requirements, establish project scope, and implement automation solutions.
Lead automation and controls modernization initiatives involving PLCs, robotics, motion control, machine vision, industrial software platforms, and integrated production systems.
Manage automation and capital engineering projects from concept through commissioning and closeout, including budgets, schedules, resources, procurement activities, risks, and overall project performance.
Oversee controls architecture, electrical and instrumentation design, networking, SCADA, HMI, automation system design, testing, validation, and standardization.
Coordinate engineering consultants, OEMs, contractors, system integrators, and internal project teams to deliver projects successfully.
Develop business cases, capital requests, ROI analyses, project justifications, and executive-level updates; monitor performance against scope, budget, safety, quality, and schedule objectives.
Coach, develop, and mentor employees and support a positive employee experience.
Perform other duties as assigned.