Industrial Automation Engineer

About the role

Smurfit Westrock is the go‑to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging, dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions. The Industrial Automation Engineer is responsible for the reliability, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automation and electrical control systems throughout a corrugated box manufacturing facility. This role serves as the technical lead for PLCs, motor drives, HMIs, industrial networks, sensors, and machine control systems supporting corrugators, converting equipment, material handling systems, plant utilities and auxiliary support equipment. The successful candidate will drive equipment uptime, improve operational performance, support maintenance and production teams, and lead automation‑related capital and continuous improvement projects while ensuring compliance with all safety and electrical standards.

Responsibilities

• Electrical Controls & Troubleshooting
  • Provide expert‑level troubleshooting and repair of electrical control systems on a BHS corrugator, MHI high‑speed EVOL Flexo Folder Gluers, BWP Flexo Folder Gluer, Gopfert Jumbo Flexo Folder Gluer, BOBST high‑yield Rotary Diecutters, robotic systems, state‑of‑the‑art automated conveying equipment and auxiliary support systems.
  • Diagnose and resolve complex machine downtime issues involving PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo drives, robotic systems, motion control systems, sensors, and industrial communications.
  • Analyze root causes of recurring electrical and automation failures and implement corrective actions.
  • Support emergency breakdown response and critical production machine recovery efforts.
• PLC & Automation Systems
  • Develop, modify, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC programs.
  • Support systems utilizing current Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, or other industrial control platforms.
  • Maintain and improve HMI and SCADA applications.
  • Configure and troubleshoot Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profinet, and other industrial communications networks.
  • Maintain automation documentation, control narratives, and system backups.
• Motor Drives & Motion Control
  • Troubleshoot and optimize AC/DC motor drives, servo systems, and motion controls.
  • Support startup, tuning, and commissioning of VFDs and servo drive systems.
  • Analyze motor performance issues and coordinate corrective actions.
  • Improve machine performance through optimization of drive parameters and control strategies.
• Reliability & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead initiatives to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime, and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
  • Utilize predictive and preventive maintenance methodologies for electrical and control systems.
  • Perform failure analysis and develop reliability‑centered maintenance strategies.
  • Collaborate with operations teams to identify opportunities for automation improvements and process optimization.
• Safety & Compliance
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, NFPA 70E, and plant electrical safety standards.
  • Participate in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) development and compliance activities.
  • Support machine risk assessments and safety system validations.
  • Maintain compliance with company environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Training & Leadership
  • Mentor maintenance technicians and controls specialists.
  • Provide training on PLC troubleshooting, electrical systems, drives, and control technologies.
  • Serve as the plant’s primary technical expert for automation systems.
  • Support cross‑functional teams in achieving operational excellence objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, automation engineering, mechatronics engineering, or a related technical field, with a minimum of 7 + years of experience supporting industrial automation systems in a manufacturing environment; or an Associate’s degree in a related field with a minimum of 10 + years of comparable experience.
• Strong troubleshooting experience with:
  • PLC systems (Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Siemens S7 classic and TIA Portal)
  • Variable Frequency Drives (PowerFlex, ABB, Siemens, Danfoss, Nord, etc.)
  • Servo drives and motion control systems
  • Industrial HMIs and SCADA systems
  • Electrical control panels and power distribution systems
• Experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, control drawings, P&IDs, equipment manuals, and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of industrial networking and communications protocols.
• Strong understanding of electrical safety standards and practices.

Preferred Experience

• Background in corrugated packaging, paper converting, paper mills, or high‑speed manufacturing operations.
• Familiarity with modern BHS, Fosber, or MarquipWardUnited corrugator systems.
• Experience with high‑speed Flexo Folder Gluers (FFG) and high‑yield rotary die cutters.
• Robot integration, vision systems, and automated conveyor systems.
• Condition monitoring technologies, electrical project design & management, PLC programming & troubleshooting, HMI development, industrial networking, motion control systems, variable frequency drives, servo systems, electrical controls design, root‑cause analysis, reliability engineering, automated material handling, process optimization, data collection & performance analytics.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, bend, climb ladders, work from elevated platforms, and access mechanical or electrical equipment areas; lift and carry tools, parts, and equipment as required.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, or on‑call to support facility operations.

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.