Controls & Automation Sr. Engineer

About the role

PepsiCo, a leader in the food and beverage industry, has an opening for a Supply Chain Sr. Engineer responsible for controls automation support at this location. The role includes delivering key capital projects with a portfolio estimated at $30MM over the next several years, covering project budgeting, execution, commissioning, and final handover, as well as maintaining support for equipment and daily operations.

Responsibilities

• Deliver and maintain PGCS automation and controls standards across all site operations and capital projects.
• Design, develop, modify, test, commission, and maintain PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control system applications to support plant operations and business objectives.
• Lead and execute automation programming projects, including PLC logic modifications, HMI development, network integration, control system upgrades, and troubleshooting activities for both existing manufacturing assets and capital projects.
• Support and manage the deployment of PGCS's automation strategy, digital factory initiatives, and control system modernization programs.
• Manage and execute a portfolio of automation and controls capital projects, including scope development, budgeting, scheduling, vendor management, commissioning, and operational handover.
• Provide technical ownership and support for site PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, historians, databases, and OT infrastructure.
• Act as the primary site liaison for automation and controls, partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT, and external suppliers.
• Develop, review, and maintain automation design documentation, control narratives, functional specifications, programs, and technical standards.
• Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective actions for automation, controls, instrumentation, and network-related issues impacting safety, quality, reliability, and production performance.
• Manage system integrators, contractors, and suppliers during design, programming, installation, commissioning, startup, and project execution phases.
• Lead safe execution, budget management, scheduling, commissioning, and operational handover of automation-related projects.
• Support factory-floor network reliability, cybersecurity, backup and recovery systems, and automation asset lifecycle management.
• Identify and implement automation solutions that improve safety, quality, reliability, efficiency, and manufacturing performance.
• Develop site automation capability through training, mentoring, and technical support for maintenance technicians, controls technicians, and operations personnel.
• Demonstrate and implement industry best practices and PepsiCo standards to deliver world-class automation and controls performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related technical discipline (preferred).
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, and manufacturing systems support within a manufacturing environment, system integrator, OEM, or automation solutions provider.
• Proven experience designing, developing, modifying, testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial control systems.
• Strong hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation platforms, including ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Studio 5000 / RSLogix, FactoryTalk View SE/ME, FactoryTalk Linx, and industrial networking.
• Demonstrated experience leading and executing PLC programming, HMI development, control system upgrades, automation modernization projects, and operational support initiatives.
• Experience with Wonderware / AVEVA System Platform, InTouch, or equivalent industrial software platforms.
• Experience troubleshooting complex manufacturing equipment, process control systems, instrumentation, VFDs, industrial communications networks, and integrated production systems.
• Working knowledge of industrial Ethernet networks, managed switches, network architecture, OT cybersecurity principles, and factory-floor infrastructure.
• Experience supporting both capital projects and day-to-day plant automation systems, including startup, commissioning, validation, operational support, and system lifecycle management.
• Experience managing system integrators, contractors, vendors, and external automation suppliers.
• Experience with historian systems, SQL databases, reporting platforms, MES integrations, and manufacturing data systems is desirable.
• Experience with object-oriented programming, scripting, and software development concepts is desirable.
• Knowledge of Good Automated Manufacturing Practice (GAMP), food and beverage manufacturing standards, and validation practices are advantageous.
• Experience with industrial robotics platforms such as FANUC, KUKA, ABB, or equivalent systems is considered a plus.
• Project management experience related to automation and controls capital projects, including vendor management, budgeting, scheduling, and commissioning, is considered a plus.
• Proficiency with MS Office, AutoCAD Electrical, and technical documentation tools.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT/OT, and project teams.

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is between $80,200 - $134,250. Location, confirmed job-related skills, experience, and education will be considered in setting the actual starting salary. A bonus based on performance and eligibility targets an 8% payout of the annual salary, paid out annually.

Benefits

• Paid time off subject to eligibility, including paid parental leave, vacation, sick, and bereavement.
• Comprehensive benefits package supporting employees and their families, subject to elections and eligibility, including:
  • Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Disability, Health, and Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Insurance (Accident, Group Legal, Life)
  • Defined Contribution Retirement Plan