Job Title: Automation Engineer

Location: On Site - Lake Mary, Florida, United States

Salary: $90,000-$110,000

Skills: PLC Programming (Allen-Bradley), HMI, Industrial Network Protocols, Electrical Schematics, Instrumentation & Controls

About the Food and Beverage Manufacturing Company / The Opportunity:

Join a forward-thinking leader in the food and beverage manufacturing industry, dedicated to delivering innovative, clean label ingredients and systems that enhance taste, texture, and nutrition for world-renowned brands. Operating with vertically integrated capabilities, our client excels in developing and implementing advanced process and automation solutions within state-of-the-art facilities. This is an outstanding opportunity for an experienced Automation Engineer to drive continuous improvement, safety, and quality in a high-impact, fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities:

• Ensure plant processes align with safety and quality standards, proactively closing compliance gaps.
• Operate, maintain, and enhance plant automation equipment, including PLC infrastructure and HMI systems.
• Identify and implement opportunities for process optimization and automation improvements.
• Analyze production data and recommend control system modifications to enhance performance.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as Operations, Quality, and Maintenance to drive improvements and resolve issues.
• Provide automation expertise for the design, installation, and commissioning of new equipment and systems.
• Develop functional specifications and control strategies for capital projects.
• Support troubleshooting and modification of PLC programs and maintain accurate documentation of network architecture and control schematics.
• Liaise with vendors and contractors to ensure successful integration of automation systems and direct the Maintenance team on preventive strategies and spare inventories.

Must-Have Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial automation, ideally in a process-oriented food manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley preferred).
• Solid understanding of industrial networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, etc.).
• Hands-on wiring, calibration, and troubleshooting skills for control devices, instrumentation, valves, and VFDs.
• Ability to create and interpret electrical drawings and schematics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications for reporting and documentation.

Nice-to-Have Skills:

• Knowledge of food processing equipment, automation, and sanitary design principles.
• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, FDA, USDA, or other regulatory standards relevant to food manufacturing.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
• Project management experience with the ability to balance multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• High energy, positive attitude, and a hands-on approach to project execution and troubleshooting.