Controls & Automation Engineer

Location: Jonesboro, AR
Contract: 6 Months (extension possible)

About the role

Lead the site’s automation, controls, and digital systems strategy to improve manufacturing performance, reliability, safety, and operational efficiency. Drive automation reliability and loss elimination by analyzing downtime and performance data, leading root cause investigations, and implementing sustainable corrective actions. Own and maintain plant control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, robotics, vision systems, instrumentation, and industrial network infrastructure. Lead, coach, and develop controls technicians and automation resources while establishing technical standards, training programs, and continuous improvement initiatives. Support capital projects and factory modernization efforts, including controls design, FAT/SAT testing, commissioning, startup support, and automation upgrades. Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, IT, and Digital teams to strengthen OT/IT systems, enhance manufacturing data capabilities, improve cybersecurity, and ensure reliable production technology infrastructure.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Controls Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Systems Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of progressive controls and automation experience in FMCG, CPG, or high-speed manufacturing environments.
• Proven leadership experience managing controls technicians, automation resources, contractors, and technical teams.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting expertise, including Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text, and Sequential Function Charts (SFC).
• Extensive hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms, including ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, HMIs, drives, motion control, and safety systems.
• Experience supporting motor controls, instrumentation, robotics, machine vision systems, packaging equipment, and process automation.
• Strong knowledge of industrial networking and controls infrastructure, including Ethernet/IP, AS-i, DeviceNet, managed switches, PLC/HMI communications, and virtualized environments.

Benefits

• Medical and Prescription Drug Plans
• Dental Plan
• Vision Plan
• Health Savings Account
• Health Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Short Term and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Business Travel Insurance
• 401(k), Plus Match
• Weekly Pay

Pay

$42 - $48 hourly