Sr. Automation Engineer

Flora Food Group • Hugoton, KS

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. Automation Engineer will establish and own the automation function at Flora Food Group’s new dairy manufacturing facility in Hugoton, Kansas. The role is responsible for delivering reliable automation systems and resolving faults quickly to support production of processed milk, creamers, and cream cheeses. It will shape how automation supports operational excellence and innovation at the facility.

The engineer will own the site’s automation landscape, drive uptime and system reliability, reduce production interruptions through data-driven improvement, and deliver automation projects and system maintenance to support production targets and product quality. The role reports to the Plant Engineering Manager and works closely with operations, maintenance, suppliers, and global engineering teams to deliver safe, compliant, and sustainable solutions.

This is an on-site role at the Hugoton facility. The position may lead to senior leadership roles in plant engineering or automation management, with opportunities to influence multi-site automation strategies and broader digital transformation initiatives.

Requirements

• Strong technical skills in Rockwell Automation PLC and HMI programming.
• Experience with server virtualization and industrial networking.
• Experience leading automation projects.
• Experience troubleshooting in food or dairy manufacturing environments.
• Ability to work as a self-starter in a greenfield setting while balancing daily operational demands with strategic delivery.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills for working across teams and with external partners.
• Interest in food culture and curiosity about how consumer behavior and future food trends shape innovation.

Responsibilities

• Program, configure, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems on the Rockwell Automation platform.
• Lead automation capital projects from design through commissioning, coordinating with suppliers and global teams to deliver on time and on budget.
• Manage server virtualization and industrial network infrastructure to ensure system stability and security.
• Troubleshoot and resolve automation faults in real time to minimize downtime and maintain product quality.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance programs and documentation for all automation assets.
• Own the site’s automation landscape and drive uptime, system reliability, and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and global engineering teams to ensure automation solutions are safe, compliant, and sustainable.
• Support preventive maintenance and lifecycle management to protect critical assets and long-term plant performance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed