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.