Automation & Controls Engineer

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Employee discounts
• Free food & snacks
• Paid time off

Zina's Fine Foods is a growing refrigerated food manufacturer producing ready-to-eat salads, side dishes, and prepared meals for national and regional retailers.

We are hiring an Automation & Controls Engineer to own the design, performance, and reliability of our automated production systems. This is an engineering role with real decision-making authority. You will determine how our lines are configured, which equipment we buy, how it is programmed, and how we get more out of it. You will direct installation and commissioning work, and you will set the technical standards our maintenance team follows.

This is a first shift, salaried position based on-site in South Plainfield, NJ. Experience in food manufacturing, particularly refrigerated, RTE, dairy, or similar sanitary and regulated environments, is strongly preferred.

Core Responsibilities

Control System Engineering and Design

• Design, develop, and modify PLC control programs for production equipment using ladder logic and structured text on Allen Bradley and Siemens platforms
• Determine control architecture and integration approach for new lines, including PLC, VFD, HMI, servo, sensor, and network topology decisions
• Evaluate and select automation technologies, and develop technical specifications for equipment purchases
• Define machine parameter standards by product and SKU, and establish the operating windows that govern throughput, giveaway, and quality

Analysis and Problem Resolution

• Investigate recurring faults and downtime events, determine root cause, and design corrective solutions rather than applying temporary fixes
• Analyze line performance data to identify constraints and develop engineering solutions to eliminate them
• Exercise independent judgment in diagnosing complex failures across control, electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
• Make real-time decisions on whether equipment is fit to run, requires intervention, or must be taken out of service

Project Leadership and Commissioning

• Plan and direct the installation and commissioning of new and used production equipment, including scope definition, sequencing, contractor coordination, and acceptance criteria
• Assess and bring used-market equipment into service, including evaluating machines prior to purchase, reverse engineering undocumented PLC programs, reconstructing missing documentation, and validating safety and performance where no service history exists
• Serve as technical authority for OEM and vendor engagement, including overseas manufacturers, on specification, support, and escalation
• Approve equipment for release to production based on functional and safety verification

Technical Direction and Training

• Provide technical direction to maintenance staff and production supervisors on automated systems
• Develop the training curriculum and technical documentation used by operators and maintenance technicians, including SOPs, settings sheets, and changeover standards
• Establish and enforce standards for PLC program version control, backup, and as-built documentation
• Advise leadership on automation strategy, capital planning, and where investment will produce the greatest return

Compliance

• Ensure automation systems meet electrical safety, lockout/tagout, and machine guarding requirements
• Ensure equipment design and maintenance practices support GMP, HACCP, and SQF requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls, or a related technical field, or equivalent demonstrated engineering experience
• Five or more years designing, programming, and troubleshooting industrial control systems
• Demonstrated expertise with Allen Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms
• Experience leading equipment commissioning projects from specification through production release
• Proficiency with VFDs, servo systems, HMIs, and industrial networks.
• Ability to read, interpret, and produce electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and process flow diagrams
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and exercise engineering judgment without direct supervision
• Valid driver's license

Strongly Preferred

• Experience in food manufacturing or another sanitary, regulated production environment
• Familiarity with washdown-rated equipment and enclosures, NEMA 4X or IP69K, and sanitary design principles
• Experience with packaging and processing equipment such as multihead weighers, flow wrappers, fillers and depositors, labelers, checkweighers, metal detectors, cookers, and coolers
• Experience evaluating and commissioning used or auction-purchased equipment without OEM support
• Spanish language proficiency

Work Environment

This position is based on the production floor and in the plant engineering office. The role requires presence in refrigerated, wet, and warm production areas, and occasional off-hours availability during commissioning projects and critical equipment events.