Automation Controls Engineer Jobs in Kentucky (NOW HIRING)

SUMMARY:

The Automation Controls Engineer is responsible for providing technical leadership and support for automation, controls, and manufacturing systems across all Paradise Tomato Kitchens manufacturing facilities. This position serves as PTK's technical owner for PLC programming, HMI development, SCADA systems, industrial controls, instrumentation, and operational technology infrastructure. The Controls Engineer is responsible for developing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and standardizing automation systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations. This position provides 24/7 technical support for manufacturing operations and works closely with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Information Technology, and external vendors to ensure manufacturing systems remain available, secure, and operational.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Automation & Controls Engineering

• Develop, modify, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC programs for manufacturing systems across all PTK facilities.
• Standardize PLC architecture, naming conventions, programming methodologies, and controls standards across facilities.
• Develop and maintain sequence of operations, interlocks, alarms, and control logic.
• Maintain PLC backups, disaster recovery procedures, and version control documentation.
• Support installation, commissioning, startup, and validation of automation and control systems.
• Evaluate and implement automation improvements that enhance safety, reliability, productivity, and operational performance.

SCADA, HMI & Manufacturing Systems

• Develop and maintain SCADA systems, HMI applications, graphics, and user interfaces.
• Configure alarms, trends, historian data collection, reporting, and system notifications.
• Support manufacturing data collection, visualization, and reporting systems.
• Maintain and optimize FactoryTalk applications and other manufacturing software platforms.
• Support implementation and continuous improvement of SCADA, Power Apps, OEE systems, and data visualization tools.

Technical Support & Troubleshooting

• Provide 24/7 technical support for automation and controls systems across Los Banos, Crums Lane, and Brook Street facilities.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, instrumentation, network, communication, and system integration issues.
• Support Operations and Maintenance teams during production interruptions and critical system failures.
• Observe equipment and manufacturing processes to diagnose automation-related malfunctions and identify corrective actions.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for recurring controls and automation issues.

Instrumentation & Operational Technology (OT)

• Support instrumentation including flowmeters, RTDs, pressure transmitters, level transmitters, analytical devices, and process control equipment.
• Configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot instrumentation systems as needed.
• Support industrial Ethernet networks, managed switches, virtual servers, thin clients, and manufacturing data systems.
• Collaborate with Information Technology to maintain secure and reliable operational technology infrastructure.
• Support cybersecurity initiatives related to manufacturing control systems and network-connected automation equipment.

Engineering Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Provide automation and controls engineering support for capital projects and facility upgrades.
• Assist in developing project scopes, automation specifications, controls narratives, and commissioning plans.
• Develop project cost estimates and technical recommendations for automation investments.
• Partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Maintenance, and external vendors to develop automation strategies and solutions.
• Identify opportunities to improve process reliability, efficiency, data visibility, and system performance through automation technologies.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and manufacturing modernization efforts.

Documentation & Compliance

• Maintain automation drawings, electrical schematics, network architecture documentation, and P&IDs.
• Ensure automation systems comply with company standards and applicable safety, regulatory, and food manufacturing requirements.
• Maintain accurate controls documentation, software backups, change logs, and system recovery procedures.
• Support audit readiness and regulatory compliance activities as required.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, or related technical field required.
• Minimum of five (5) years of PLC programming experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Strong experience with Allen-Bradley PLC programming required.
• Strong experience with Rockwell software platforms required.
• Experience with FactoryTalk View SE, RSLogix 5000, FactoryTalk Batch, Win-911, RSLinx, and historian systems preferred.
• Experience supporting 24/7 manufacturing operations required.
• Experience with industrial networking, instrumentation, and manufacturing data systems preferred.
• Experience within food manufacturing preferred.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and problem-solving skills.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

• Must wear required personal protection equipment associated with the manufacturing environment.
• Occasional standing, walking, sitting, handling, reaching climbing, crawling, squatting, kneeling, and bending
• Occasional pushing/pulling and lifting, which can be accommodated
• This role may require longer hours or weekends on occasion
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to fingers, handle controls; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.