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Tyson Foods Verified
Food Processing, Agriculture

Lead Engineer Controls (Onsite)

Springdale, AROnsiteFull TimeLeadPosted 19 days ago

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Required skills

  • Smart Factory
  • Connectivity Effort
  • Tyson Foods
  • production facilities
  • program-management role
  • connectivity configuration
  • plant leadership
  • processing equipment
  • machine OEMs
  • PLC architecture

Nice to have

  • Ignition
  • Anaplan
  • Thrives in ambiguity

Role summary

Tyson Foods is seeking a Lead Engineer Controls to lead the Smart Factory "Are We Winning" Program's Connectivity Effort across its production facilities. This is a hands-on role requiring direct configuration and troubleshooting of machine connectivity, PLC architecture, and network topology. The individual will collaborate with plant leadership, technical personnel, OEMs, and finance to design connectivity plans, manage project timelines and costs, and drive execution across multiple projects simultaneously. A Bachelor's degree in a technical field or equivalent experience is preferred, along with 5+ years of experience in plant processes and machine connectivity. Proficiency in industrial networking protocols like OPC-UA, MQTT, and Ethernet/IP is essential. Experience with Ignition and Anaplan is a plus.

Management Level:

87

Work Shift:

1ST SHIFT (United States of America)

SUMMARY

This position's primary responsibility is to lead the Smart Factory "Are We Winning" Program's Connectivity Effort across Tyson Foods' production facilities. This is a hands-on technical role as much as a program-management role — the individual will personally perform connectivity configuration and troubleshooting, not simply direct others who do. Program workflow:

  • Work with plant leadership to identify key processing equipment requiring connectivity. (Non-technical communication)
  • Work directly with plant technical personnel and machine OEMs to design the connectivity plan — including hands-on evaluation of PLC architecture, network topology, and data availability at the machine. (Technical / PLC background and technical communication)
  • Personally configure, test, and troubleshoot connectivity — protocol setup, PLC data mapping, and network integration — stepping in as the technical resource when plant or contractor capability falls short. (Hands-on technical execution)
  • Work with plant leadership, technical personnel, integrators, contractors, and corporate finance on cost estimates, project plans/timelines, and CIR building. (Communication and project management)
  • Drive execution across all teams and personnel involved to ensure each project delivers on schedule and at cost. (Project management)
  • Manage 10–20 projects simultaneously. (Multi-project program management)

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or another technical field preferred. Equivalent work experience is acceptable if the individual demonstrates hands-on technical ability to execute connectivity work directly, communication skills to lead the program, and project management capability.


Experience: 5+ years working with plant processes and equipment, including direct, hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting machine connectivity — not solely oversight or coordination of others performing the work.


Technical Skills: Strong, hands-on knowledge of machine PLCs and industrial connectivity/networking (e.g., OPC-UA, MQTT, Ethernet/IP, or comparable protocols). Proficient in Microsoft Office. Background in Ignition and Anaplan a plus.


Communication Skills: Strong verbal and written communication. Demonstrated ability to translate technical information for non-technical stakeholders and vice versa.


Special Skills: Builds rapport quickly with plant teams and develops strong long-term relationships. Performs the technical work personally when needed, rather than relying solely on others to execute. Thrives in ambiguity and operates as a self-starter.


Travel: 25%


** Not eligible for immigration/work authorization support now or in the future **

** Not eligible for relocation assistance **


Internal Management & Management Support Applicants:

Automatic notification to your current manager will be initiated upon selection for interview. This applies to all candidates who are level 79 or above.


All professional team members are expected to demonstrate responsible use of approved AI tools, including safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to company policies, and validating AI-generated outputs. Individual Contributors should demonstrate the ability to integrate AI into daily work, improve efficiency through AI-enabled solutions, evaluate outputs critically, and apply professional judgment when using AI. People Leaders should demonstrate the ability to drive responsible AI adoption, enable effective use of approved solutions, identify opportunities to improve team performance through AI, and ensure accountability for the quality and accuracy of AI-supported outcomes.

Relocation Assistance Eligible:

No

Referral Payout Eligible:

Yes

For Professional Management levels, internal applicants should either upload a resume to their application OR complete their application fully showing current and past work experience in the sections provided.


The successful candidate(s) must be willing and able to perform the physical requirements of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation.


We provide our team members and their families with paid time off; 401(k) plans; affordable health, life, dental, vision and prescription drug benefits; and more.


Tyson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, national origin, color, religion, age, genetics, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status.


CCPA Notice. If you are a California resident, and would like to learn more about what categories of personal information we collect when you apply for this job, and how we may use that information, please read our CCPA Job Applicant Notice at Collection, click here.

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