Automation Control Engineer | Richmond, VA | Food Manufacturing | 2nd Shift

⚙️ Automation Control Engineer

📍 Location: Richmond, Virginia (On-site, Second/Split Shift: 7 PM – 3 AM)
🏭 Industry: Food & Beverages / Manufacturing
🎓 Education: Associate or Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Technology, or related field (preferred)
💼 Experience Level: Mid–Senior (5+ years)
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🚚 Relocation: Not available
💰 Compensation: $83,800 – $115,225 base salary + bonus eligibility + full benefits
🕓 Employment Type: Full-Time | Permanent

🌟 The Opportunity

Join a global leader in food and snack manufacturing as an Automation Control Engineer — a critical role driving reliability, efficiency, and innovation within a fast-paced production environment.

You’ll take ownership of automation systems, PLCs, and instrumentation, ensuring seamless operations and minimal downtime. Working on the second shift, you’ll support high-speed packaging lines and advanced control systems while leading troubleshooting, maintenance, and optimization initiatives.

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on engineer who thrives in a dynamic manufacturing setting and enjoys solving complex automation challenges.

🧭 Key Responsibilities

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Provide hands-on support for routine maintenance, repair, and calibration of automation equipment, PLCs, and control systems.

• Diagnose complex electrical, mechanical, and programming issues quickly to reduce downtime and boost productivity.

• Collaborate with electricians and cross-functional teams to maintain system reliability and performance.

System Optimization

• Analyze production data and identify opportunities to optimize automation and control strategies.

• Recommend and implement process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and safety.

• Contribute to projects that modernize and standardize automation systems across production lines.

Programming & Configuration

• Develop, program, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems, primarily Allen-Bradley platforms.

• Configure and maintain VFDs, SCADA systems, and motor control systems.

• Ensure system integration aligns with company standards, cybersecurity policies, and operational requirements.

Preventive Maintenance & Documentation

• Execute preventive maintenance programs to prevent unplanned equipment failures.

• Maintain accurate documentation for all maintenance activities, modifications, and performance reports.

• Support audits and reporting with detailed technical insights and system data.

Leadership & Training

• Provide training and mentorship to operators, technicians, and electricians on control systems.

• Promote safety, knowledge sharing, and adherence to maintenance best practices.

🎓 Education & Experience

Required

✅ Minimum 5 years of experience in automation, controls, or electrical maintenance within manufacturing.
✅ Strong hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs (programming, troubleshooting, maintenance).
✅ Solid understanding of HMI, SCADA, VFDs, and industrial networks.
✅ Experience with high-speed packaging or food processing environments.
✅ Proven ability to analyze and solve complex control system problems.

Preferred

⭐ Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Technology, or related field.
⭐ Familiarity with SAP – PM, work orders, and asset management.
⭐ Experience using Putty and Cisco Network Switches.
⭐ Knowledge of basic electronics and electrical theory.
⭐ Strong communication skills and ability to train others effectively.

💡 Core Competencies

• Analytical problem-solver with a proactive mindset.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.

• Effective communicator across technical and non-technical teams.

• Capable of leading initiatives with minimal supervision.

• Safety-focused and committed to continuous improvement.

⚙️ Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, climb steps, and work at heights using ladders or lifts.

• Work in environments with varying temperatures.

• Comfortable working second/split shift: 7 PM – 3 AM, Monday to Friday.

💰 Compensation & Benefits

💵 Base Salary: $83,800 – $115,225 (commensurate with experience)
🎯 Bonus: Performance-based incentive program
💎 Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Life and disability insurance

• Retirement savings plans

• Paid vacation, holidays, and leave programs

• Educational and wellness support initiatives

🧩 Candidate Snapshot

• Experience: 5+ years in automation and controls engineering

• Industry: Food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or high-speed manufacturing

• Key Skills: Allen-Bradley PLCs | SCADA | HMIs | VFDs | Troubleshooting | SAP PM

• Shift: 7 PM – 3 AM (on-site)

• Travel: None

🚀 Ready to power up innovation?
Join a world-class manufacturer that values technical excellence, teamwork, and continuous improvement. Lead automation excellence on cutting-edge production lines that shape the future of snacking.

Senior Production Supervisor – 2nd Shift - Geneva, NY - $85,000 - $100,000

Senior Production Supervisor – 2nd Shift
Geneva, NY
$85,000 - $100,000

At our company, you can build on a strong legacy and leading positions in both industrial and consumer businesses to reimagine and improve life every day. If you love challenging the status quo, join our community of over 47.000 pioneers around the globe. Our teams at the company's Consumer Brands continuously drive the evolution in dynamic categories: Laundry & Home Care and Hair. With our trusted brands, including Persil and Schwarzkopf, our cutting-edge technologies and our disruptive solutions, you will have countless opportunities to explore new paths and develop your skills. Grow within our future-led businesses, our diverse and vibrant culture and find a place where you simply belong. All to leave your mark for more sustainable growth.

Dare to make an impact?

YOUR ROLE

·         Ensure that the area of responsibility supports all plant goals daily and weekly reviewing results with staff

·         Coordinate and administer daily interaction between the assigned area of responsibility and all other departments in the plant.  This would include peers across shifts.

·         Ensure that personnel have proper qualifications, are properly trained, and motivated to work productively both as part of a team and individually

·         Ensure compliance with established standards in the areas of food quality & safety and employee safety.

·         Identify and implement opportunities for improvement.

·         Ensure compliance with administrative and reporting procedures while complying with overtime and provisions of the handbook

·         Coordinate labor staffing daily in coherence with budgeted staffing   

·         Document notification requests in SAP PM.  Follow-up and prioritize with maintenance and other shifts.

·         Input data into SAP, check QA documentation, and verify employee timecards

·         Analyze information and follow-up on exceptions and opportunities

·         Foster a continuous improvement mindset, elevating new ideas (both your own and those of your employees), and executing plans to positively impact the plant operations and goals

YOUR SKILLS

·         Excellent people and leadership skills

·         Strong change management skills, driving and implementing change to optimize the business focusing on safety, quality, and costs

·         Strong written and verbal communication skills

·         Problem solving and decision-making abilities

·         Ability to work with and relate to all levels of personnel

·         Ability to read/interpret production performance reports

·         Continuous Improvement

·         TPM Methods

·         Bachelor’s degree preferred  

·         Minimum of 3 years of experience in manufacturing or in a high-speed, complex environment required

·         Experience with Microsoft Office Suite required

·         Minimum of 1 year in a supervisory capacity preferred

·         Consumer Product Experience

·         SAP experience preferred

The salary for this role is $85,000.00 - $100,000.00. This is the range that we in good faith anticipate relying on when setting wages for this position.  We may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and this range. This salary range may also be modified in the future.

All employees applying for an internal position must have a discussion with his/her manager about their interest in a job posting opportunity. The discussion will not preclude the employee from interviewing if their skills meet the job requirements.

At our company, we come from a broad range of backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences. We believe the uniqueness of all our employees is the power in us. Become part of the team and bring your uniqueness to us! We welcome all applications across different races, colors, religions, sexes, national origins, disabilities, veteran statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and other legally protected characteristics.