Senior Automation Engineer

Position Details
Job Summary (Senior Automation Engineer – New Century, Kansas)

• Title: Senior Automation Engineer
• Level: Senior (5+ years’ experience)
• Location: New Century, Kansas, USA (Fully On-Site)

Summary Of Responsibilities

• Build the automation function at a new dairy manufacturing facility from the ground up (greenfield project).
• Program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems (primarily Rockwell Automation platform).
• Develop and optimize control logic for all plant processes (pasteurization, batching, automation of utility systems, etc.).
• Manage all aspects of the Rockwell Automation portfolio, including firmware, licensing, patching, and health monitoring.
• Maintain and troubleshoot server virtualization environments (Hyper-V, VMware ESXi) and Windows Server systems hosting automation applications.
• Oversee industrial networking (Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP) and ensure robust communications for all control systems.
• Implement and manage preventive and corrective maintenance programs for automation assets (PLCs, HMIs, servers, network switches).
• Lead automation capital and improvement projects, including specification development, project management, and acceptance testing.
• Collaborate with equipment OEMs, integrators, and vendors to ensure system compatibility and performance.
• Provide real-time hands-on support to plant operations and maintenance teams during production.
• Conduct root cause analysis for downtime or process issues and participate in Management of Change (MOC) procedures.
• Ensure automation systems comply with food safety, quality, and industry regulatory standards.
• Maintain and improve safety interlocks, alarms, and emergency-stop systems.
• Support digital transformation initiatives (MES, historians, predictive maintenance).
• Train and mentor plant personnel and the junior automation engineer.
• Collaborate with global engineering and IT teams to align standards and share best practices.

Key Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 5+ years of hands-on automation/controls experience in food, beverage, dairy, or process manufacturing.
• Expert in Rockwell Automation (PLC, HMI, AssetCentre) with full ecosystem management.
• Skilled in server virtualization (Hyper-V/VMware), Windows Server, and industrial networking.
• Experience with instrumentation, VFDs, servo systems, and process control.
• Strong project leadership and ability to coordinate with external vendors.
• Familiarity with dairy processing and sanitary manufacturing requirements is preferred.

Core Competencies

• Self-starter, thrives in greenfield/build-from-scratch environments.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and hands-on skills.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and collaboration abilities.
• Commitment to food safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Preferred Experience

• Ignition SCADA, Sepasoft MES, Wonderware/AVEVA Historian.
• Knowledge of pasteurization controls, CIP/SIP automation, and PMO.
• Experience working with global/multi-site engineering teams.

Summary
This is a hands-on, senior-level automation engineering role responsible for the full lifecycle of automation and controls at a new dairy manufacturing facility, combining technical leadership, project management, system ownership, troubleshooting, and collaboration in a greenfield environment.