Automation Controls Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Controls Engineer – Night Shift

Location: Glendale, Arizona
Schedule: 2-2-3 schedule, 6:00 PM–6:00 AM
Base Salary: $100,000–$130,000
Annual Bonus: 20% target bonus
Relocation Assistance: Available

Position Overview

A leading high-speed beverage manufacturer is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to provide dedicated automation and controls support at its Glendale, Arizona facility.

This position will serve as the on-shift controls expert, providing Tier 1 and Tier 2 troubleshooting support throughout the plant. The Controls Engineer will work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality to resolve equipment issues, improve reliability, increase throughput, and execute automation-focused improvement projects.

The Controls Engineer will also provide technical leadership, mentoring, and controls training to maintenance technicians and equipment operators.

Experience with KHS equipment is preferred but not required. Candidates with relevant controls experience supporting high-speed bottling, canning, packaging, processing, or conveyor equipment are encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary on-shift controls and automation expert.
• Provide Tier 1 and Tier 2 troubleshooting support for automated production, processing, and packaging equipment.
• Diagnose PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, instrumentation, motion-control, and industrial-network issues.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and restore production safely and efficiently.
• Identify recurring equipment problems and implement permanent corrective actions.
• Develop and execute controls projects that improve safety, quality, reliability, and throughput.
• Support high-speed beverage processing, filling, canning, conveying, and packaging systems.
• Participate in the Management of Change process for controls, equipment, and process modifications.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and quality teams on continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership, training, and mentorship to maintenance technicians and operators.
• Maintain PLC and HMI program backups, controls documentation, electrical drawings, and change records.
• Support equipment commissioning, controls upgrades, new installations, and system integration projects.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in engineering technology, information systems, industrial automation and controls, or a related technical discipline; equivalent relevant industry experience may be considered.
• At least four years of industrial automation or controls experience in food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical processing, consumer packaged goods, or another high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Strong PLC troubleshooting and programming capabilities.
• Experience troubleshooting automated production, conveyor, and packaging equipment.
• Knowledge of HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, instrumentation, industrial networks, and electrical control systems.
• Ability to independently diagnose complex controls problems and execute automation projects.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, and technical documentation.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work across multiple plant departments.
• Willingness and ability to work a 2-2-3 night schedule from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Preferred Experience

• Experience with KHS beverage processing, filling, canning, or packaging equipment.
• Experience with Krones, Sidel, or comparable high-speed beverage equipment.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix or CompactLogix PLCs.
• Experience with FactoryTalk HMIs, PowerFlex drives, industrial Ethernet networks, motion control, and servo systems.
• Experience in beverage, brewery, bottling, canning, food manufacturing, or consumer packaged goods operations.
• Experience training or mentoring maintenance technicians.
• Experience leading controls upgrades, commissioning, equipment installations, or continuous-improvement projects.

Compensation

• Base salary of $100,000–$130,000, based on experience.
• 20% target annual bonus.
• Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.
• Comprehensive company benefits package.