Process Automation Engineer

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers. With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose‑free, real dairy products includes fairlife® ultra‑filtered milk ; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post‑workout recovery; and fairlife® nutrition plan™ , a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health. A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca‑Cola Company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry‑leading innovation. Job Purpose The Process Automation Engineer continuously supports plant processing, packaging and utility systems for reliability, total cost of ownership, and effectiveness tracking. The role documents areas of success and drives opportunity areas for improvement and growth. The Process Automation Engineer works cross‑functionally with commercial, manufacturing, engineering, IT, quality, R&D, and other functions within fairlife. The Engineer is a key liaison for procuring new equipment and incorporating learnings with new technologies and processes to improve quality, efficiency, and speed to market. Responsibilities Define the electrical and automation objectives of capacity expansion projects and oversee the automation process design from milk receiving to finished product container to achieve lowest risk design at lowest total cost of ownership. Assist in the development and commercialization of new technologies and processes to improve quality, efficiency, and speed to market. Assist in the development, review, and updates of all electrical and automation functional specifications. Review new and existing line/plant designs to reduce food safety risk and improve overall efficiency and cost of operations. Solve complex process problems following escalation from plants; manage the process of escalation with plants to ensure a timely resolution. Support development of process monitoring and situational awareness systems that enhance efficiency and reduce losses and total cost of ownership. Examples include design for extended run time, faster CIP turnaround, prediction of next CIP, energy recovery, water reuse, chemical reuse, etc. Define standards to improve the accuracy and efficiency of new and existing equipment. Develop relationships globally in the dairy processing & automation industries to keep abreast of best‑in‑class performance of various designs. Assure plant compliance with Federal, State and Corporate environmental laws, rules & regulations. Assure that the process complies with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, PMO, other regulatory requirements, Company policies, operating procedures, processes, and task assignments. Effectively collaborate and coordinate with plant & project engineering teams to ensure all project work is performed on time and within budget. Support startup and commissioning activities. Review and execute Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing (FAT/SAT) protocols from an electrical and automation perspective. Document and clearly communicate the intent of the automation design of all new and existing aseptic filling equipment installed in the plants to key stakeholders. Provide verbal and written reports to communicate project status as required and contribute to project review meetings. Serve a key role in supporting the organization for the commercialization of new products. Serve as a key decision maker in equipment vendor selection and contract negotiation. Perform other duties as assigned. Skills / Qualifications Required 5+ years of progressive leadership experience in automation engineering and operations disciplines. Bachelor of science degree in electrical, mechanical, computer, or chemical engineering or equivalent experience. Proven track record of improving manufacturing processes through re‑design, automation, and the introduction of new technologies. Programming experience with Allen Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix and SLC500 PLCs, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Allen Bradley VFDs, etc. Knowledge of and familiarity with the National Electric Code (NEC) and international standards. Proficiency designing and programming control systems with emphasis on PLCs, SCADA or HMI systems. Proficiency with control system networking technologies and PC networking technologies. Proficiency working with SQL Server, Oracle or other relational databases. Experience with Microsoft PowerBI (preferred). Strong attention to detail and business analytical skills. Demonstrated excellence in communication and presentation. Familiarity with instrumentation (flow meters, level transmitters, RTDs/temperature transmitters, level probes, etc.). Ability to handle ambiguity and thrive in fast‑paced, entrepreneurial work environment. Ability to travel as needed. Proficiency in English: Comfortable with both written and verbal communication, including reading and writing. Food Safety Requirements Notify supervision of any repairs or adjustments that are required that may affect product quality or food safety. Understand, observe, and comply with the handling and usage of the color‑coded container policy while in the Production Areas. Perform all duties necessary to meet Company, Customer and/or Government requirements/standards as prioritized by the Company. Initiate action to prevent the occurrence of nonconformities relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the product, processes, quality system, or safety system. Identify and record any problems relating to Food Safety and the Quality of the ingredients, processes, quality system, or safety system. Control further processing or delivery of nonconforming product in terms of Food Safety and Quality issues until the deficiency or unsatisfactory condition has been corrected. In the event of absence, another employee with the same skill level will assume the duties and responsibilities as required. Benefits At fairlife, we believe in better — and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and wellbeing resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, effective day one! Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance) Paid Time Off to recharge and support work‑life balance Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000) Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work‑life support Company‑paid life insurance and short‑term disability Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants) Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month) Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource Groups Reports To Director, Process & Automation Development Travel Requirements 25 – 50% depending on location, including some international travel. Employment Status Exempt Salary Range $150,000 - $175,000 USD Equal Opportunity Employer fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job‑related factors. In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email View email address on click.appcast.io. As set forth in fairlife’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected class. We also comply with federal contracting requirements, providing equal opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law requires measuring progress toward this goal. A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service‑connected disability. A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three‑year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service. An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense. An "armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an armed forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985. Voluntary Self‑Identification of Disability For those who wish to provide information about disability, the form is voluntary. Your answer is confidential and will not be used to influence hiring decisions. #J-18808-Ljbffr