Lead Automation Engineer

Lead Controls Engineer – Food & Beverage

Location: New Jersey

Salary: Up to $120,000

We are looking for a hands-on Lead Controls Engineer to join a Food & Beverage manufacturing facility in New Jersey.

This is a shop-floor role — we need a do-er, not someone who wants to sit behind a desk writing code all day. You’ll be troubleshooting equipment, working with maintenance and operations, and getting production machinery back up and running.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and program Allen-Bradley PLCs.
• Troubleshoot electrical and controls issues on manufacturing equipment.
• Work hands-on with production lines, fluid/wet processing equipment, pumps, valves, chillers, and related machinery.
• Diagnose equipment failures and identify root causes.
• Support machine improvements, startups, modifications, and commissioning.
• Work closely with maintenance and operations to improve equipment reliability.

Requirements

• Strong Allen-Bradley PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.
• Solid electrical troubleshooting skills and ability to read schematics.
• Manufacturing/industrial controls experience.
• Hands-on experience with machinery and automated production lines.
• Food & Beverage, fluids, wet processing, or chiller experience is a plus.
• Mechatronics degree would be an ideal fit; Electrical, Controls, Automation, or equivalent experience also considered.

Compensation & Benefits

• Up to $120,000/year
• 2 weeks PTO
• 401(k)
• Medical, Dental & Vision

If you enjoy being on the floor, troubleshooting equipment, and solving real-world controls problems, this is the type of role where you can make an immediate impact.