Automation Engineer Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

Power and Controls Manager, Decatur | Primient
About Primient
Primient is a century old company with an entrepreneurial spirit. We are a leading producer of food and industrial ingredients made from plant-based, renewable sources. We deliver value through deep technical, commercial, and operational excellence that is backed by our long-standing corn wet milling heritage. Wherever we are in the process, from field to customer, our priorities are focused on ensuring we produce the safest, highest quality products through practices that uphold both our responsibility and commitments to the challenge and drive for excellence, our people and our planet. We are a privately held company with locations across the US, Mexico, Poland, and Brazil. We're investing in our plants and people to unlock our potential in the industrial and food sectors. Guided by our values of Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Growth, we're focused on growing our business, our reputation, and the career of every teammate.
Position Summary
The Power and Controls Manager oversees all electrical systems, instrumentation, and controls within the corn wet milling facility. This role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operation of electrical infrastructure, supports production goals, and leads a team of electricians and technicians. This person will drive preventive maintenance, compliance with regulatory standards, planning and continuous improvement initiatives.
Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management of 25 -30 employees.
• Supervise and develop electrical maintenance team members.
• Schedule and prioritize electrical work orders to minimize downtime.
• Foster a culture of safety and continuous improvement.
• Electrical Systems Management
• Develop, implement and audit the electrical planning landscape
• Maintain and troubleshoot plant electrical systems (motors, MCCs, VFDs, transformers, switchgear).
• Oversee instrumentation and control systems (PLC, DCS, SCADA).
• Ensure reliability of power distribution and backup systems.
• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance
• Develop and implement electrical PM programs.
• Utilize predictive tools (infrared thermography, motor testing) to prevent failures.
• Compliance & Safety
• Ensure adherence to NFPA 70E, OSHA, and local electrical codes.
• Maintain documentation for audits and inspections.
• Lead electrical safety training for staff.
• Manage electrical aspects of capital projects and plant upgrades.
• Collaborate with engineering on design and installation of new equipment.
• Budget & Inventory
• Control electrical maintenance budget.
• Manage spare parts inventory for critical electrical components.
• Size electrical circuits, cables, lighting, protection, and telephony systems.
• Act as equipment inspector to certify electrical and automation equipment according to project requirements.
• Manage electrical and automation tasks as needed.
• Commission, test, and start up electrical equipment, automation systems, and instruments.
• Apply knowledge of automation technology related to logic controllers, communication networks, and control systems at the maintenance level.
• Provide technical support to plant operations and maintenance areas.
• Apply tools in maintenance tasks such as MOC, PSSRs, commissioning, and startup, as well as follow corporate requirements.
• Participate and coordinate with the Power & Control group, electrical engineering and capital project teams.
• Available 24/7, nights and weekends as needed to respond to plant emergencies.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience: 5+ years in industrial electrical maintenance, preferably in food or chemical manufacturing.
• Required strong knowledge of power distribution, PLC programming, and instrumentation.
• Leadership and team development skills.
• Familiarity with reliability practices (RCAS, 5 WHY, Fishbone)
• Knowledge in automation principles
• Knowledge of CMMS systems, preferable SAP.
• Experience in projects, maintenance, assembly, commissioning, and startup (preferred).
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office.

Preferred Certifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license (optional).
• NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Certification.
• PLC/DCS programming certifications.

Total Rewards
The annual pay range estimated for this position is $135,893.60 - $169,867.00 and is bonus eligible.
Please note that while this range reflects the full spectrum of compensation available for this role, individual compensation will be determined based on several factors including your experience, skills, and alignment with the role's responsibilities. During the interview process there will be an opportunity to discuss how your background fits into the pay range.
We offer a comprehensive Total Rewards package that our U.S. colleagues and their families can count on, which includes:

• Competitive Pay
• Multiple Healthcare plan choices
• Dental and vision insurance
• A 401(k) plan with company and matching contributions
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Life, AD&D, and Voluntary Insurance plans
• Paid holidays & vacation
• Floating days off
• Parental leave for new parents
• Employee resource groups
• Learning & development programs
• Fun culture where you have an opportunity in shaping our future

Career Path & Culture
Primient is committed to a workplace that is all in - ensuring everyone has the opportunity to develop and shape a career that matters in an open culture which embraces equity, diversity and belonging. We challenge old ways of thinking; and encourage employee voices to be a guiding force for ongoing learning.
Primient supports a culture of inclusion that respects individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe our differences make better decisions, drive excellence, and deliver better business results. Primient employees experience autonomy and accountability in their role. Here, employees control their destiny as there is opportunity for career growth and pathways outside the norm.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
We are believers in the power of difference. We strive to represent the communities in which we operate and to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment for all. We want Primient to be a place where every employee feels they belong and knows they are seen, heard, valued and safe to speak up. Our aspiration is to unlock the full potential in diverse perspectives, while offering everyone an equal chance to grow,
Primient is an equal opportunity employer, committed to the strength of an inclusive workforce.
California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA")
The Company is committed to complying with the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA") and all data privacy and laws in the jurisdictions in which it recruits and hires employees. We collect the following categories of personal information for the purpose of hiring the best qualified applicants and to comply with applicable employment laws: Name and contact information; Job preference and work availability; Social Security Number and/or other identification information; Education and qualifications; Employment history and experience; Military service; Reference and background check information, including relevant criminal history and credit history; Social media information; Pre-employment test results; Post-offer medical examination information and results, including drug test results; Voluntary self-disclosure information regarding minority, veteran, and disability status; and Information provided by you during the hiring process.