Job Description

Plant Engineer – Automation & Controls

Location: Hudson County, NJ

Work Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Salary: $110,000 – $120,000 per year

Employee Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

A well-established food manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Plant Engineer to support automation technologies, high-speed packaging operations, and facility engineering initiatives. This role partners closely with production and maintenance teams to improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, safety, and product quality while supporting engineering and automation projects across the plant.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in plant engineering, automation engineering, or manufacturing engineering
• Proficiency in PLC programming, specifically Allen-Bradley / RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000
• Experience working with Rockwell FactoryTalk HMI/SCADA systems
• Experience supporting or collaborating with maintenance teams and maintenance operations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across departments
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing engineering or automation projects

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within food manufacturing or other regulated production environments
• Familiarity with high-speed packaging equipment and production lines
• Experience working with SQL databases for data analysis and system integration
• Exposure to Ignition SCADA platforms
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies

Job Responsibilities

Automation & Controls Engineering

• Develop, maintain, and optimize controls systems that support production and packaging operations
• Program and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs using RSLogix 5000 / Studio 5000
• Support, configure, and enhance FactoryTalk HMI/SCADA platforms
• Analyze automation system performance and implement improvements to increase reliability and efficiency
• Provide technical support for equipment commissioning, upgrades, and automation initiatives

Maintenance & Operational Support

• Provide advanced technical expertise to maintenance teams for diagnosing electrical, mechanical, and controls issues
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies to maximize equipment uptime
• Participate in root cause analysis and develop sustainable corrective actions

Project Management

• Lead engineering and automation projects from concept through implementation, including scoping, budgeting, planning, and execution
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, vendors, and contractors to ensure successful project delivery
• Maintain proper documentation and ensure compliance with company and regulatory standards

Systems, Data & Technology Integration

• Utilize SQL to extract and analyze operational data and support system integrations
• Support digital transformation initiatives and data-driven decision-making within the facility
• Assist in the implementation and optimization of plant automation systems

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to food safety regulations, OSHA standards, and internal safety policies
• Support audits, documentation reviews, and engineering change management processes
• Promote a safe working environment through proactive risk assessment and continuous improvement

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and problem-solving skills
• Detail-oriented with a hands-on engineering approach
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and engineering initiatives simultaneously
• Strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration abilities
• Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, national origin, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Job Tags

Similar Jobs