Controls Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY

Krier Beverage is seeking a hands-on Controls Engineer to own and improve the automation, controls, electrical, and industrial technology systems that support our beverage production and aluminum canning operations. This position will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and outside equipment partners to keep production running safely and efficiently while developing reliable, scalable automation for future growth. The ideal candidate is a hands-on problem solver who enjoys being on the plant floor, troubleshooting equipment, improving machine performance, and taking ownership of projects from concept through implementation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the primary technical resource for PLC, HMI, SCADA, VFD, servo, instrumentation, and industrial control systems throughout the facility.
• Work with existing equipment automation and electrical systems to optimize existing systems and eliminate legacy systems and components.
• Troubleshooting of technically complex control systems and subsystems through the facility.
• Partner with Maintenance to maintain and improve equipment utilized in the beverage industry: Rotary fill & seal, pasteurization, material flow, and secondary packaging equipment.
• Supervise installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment and systems.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for controls, instrumentation, and electrical systems.
• Lead controls-related capital projects, equipment upgrades, line modifications, and automation initiatives from requirements definition through startup and commissioning.
• Work with OEMs, integrators, contractors, and equipment suppliers to specify controls hardware, software, networking, instrumentation, and automation solutions.
• Communicate production issues with all levels of operations management.
• Closely monitor ever-changing production schedule to plan projects and repairs requiring machine downtime to coincide with production scheduling demands
• Commission new equipment and integrate new machinery into existing plant controls and production systems.
• Improve line reliability, throughput, changeover performance, OEE, downtime, energy efficiency, and overall equipment effectiveness through automation and controls improvements.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics, I/O lists, control narratives, network drawings, backups, software revisions, and other technical documentation.
• Establish disciplined backup, version-control, and change-management practices for PLC/HMI programs and critical automation assets.
• Support industrial networking, including Ethernet-based controls networks, managed switches, remote I/O, and communication between machines and plant systems.
• Assist with controls cybersecurity practices, system access, user permissions, backups, and secure remote support in coordination with company IT and engineering resources.
• Analyze downtime and production data to identify automation-related losses and prioritize improvement opportunities.
• Support integration of production data, historians, dashboards, and other manufacturing technologies where appropriate.
• Train and mentor Maintenance Technicians and Operations personnel on controls, troubleshooting, and proper equipment operation.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and continuous-improvement activities related to automation, electrical systems, and production performance.
• Maintain a strong focus on employee safety, machine safety, food safety, quality, regulatory compliance, and good manufacturing practices.
• Provide occasional off-hour support for critical production issues and planned projects, consistent with plant needs.
• Develop, modify, document, and maintain PLC and HMI programs, control logic, recipes, alarms, sequences, and operator interfaces.
• Other duties as assigned by management

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field; Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered, especially if the candidate has extensive experience as a field service technician in our field.

• 3+ years of experience working with industrial controls, automation, PLCs, or electrical systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, instrumentation, and industrial control systems.
• Interpret blueprints, schematics, and technical drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, communication, and project management skills.
• Experience with Allen Bradley control systems, drives, and servomotors
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Excel, Word, and AutoCAD
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and anticipate changing project needs.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as organizational skills
• Team mentality with the ability to multitask and prioritize
• Ability and willingness to work directly on the plant floor in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, documentation, and reliable production.