Industrial Automation Controls Engineer (PLC/SCADA)

Job Description

Job Description

Together We Innovate. Together We Change.

Picture your first week: you’re walking the production floor in Hopkinsville, KY, listening to high‑speed lines hum as you connect with maintenance techs, production leads, and project managers. By mid‑morning, you’ve pushed a PLC code update that stabilizes a finicky packaging cell. After lunch, you’re aligning with IWS stakeholders on standardizing HMI templates across plants, and before you head out, you’ve kicked off a root cause analysis on a recurring servo fault. That’s a day in the life of an Industrial Automation Controls Engineer at Altria.

Location and travel: This role is fully onsite in Hopkinsville, KY and involves roughly 30–40% regional travel to Clarksville, TN and Nashville, TN.

What you’ll take ownership of

• Designing, programming, troubleshooting, and tuning PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and plant control systems to keep operations safe, stable, and efficient.
• Integrating automation across processing, packaging, and conveying equipment, including bringing OEM machinery into plant‑wide architectures.
• Configuring and supporting VFDs, servos, instrumentation, and process control loops; reading and developing electrical schematics and panel designs.
• Diagnosing and correcting electrical, controls, communications, and automation failures; providing on‑the‑floor technical support during downtime.
• Standardizing platforms, code structures, and documentation, with robust backups and change control.
• Leading the controls scope on capital projects—from concept through commissioning, including FAT/SAT and validation.
• Driving root cause analysis and permanent corrective actions for chronic issues; identifying opportunities for automation and process improvement.
• Collaborating with OEMs, system integrators, contractors, and internal teams; supporting IWS and operational excellence initiatives.
• Upholding OSHA, machine safety, and electrical standards; reinforcing safe work practices including lockout/tagout.

What you bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls, Mechatronics, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of hands‑on controls engineering experience in manufacturing, ideally on high‑speed automated equipment.
• Depth in PLC programming/troubleshooting and industrial automation ecosystems (e.g., Rockwell/Allen‑Bradley, Wonderware, FactoryTalk).
• Experience with HMIs, SCADA, industrial networks, VFDs, servo systems, instrumentation, and plant electrical systems.
• Background in automated processing and packaging; knowledge of batch systems, MES, OEE, and manufacturing data.
• Excellent troubleshooting, communication, and project coordination skills; knowledge of OSHA and machine safety standards.

Compensation

Compensation decisions consider experience, knowledge, and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $104,900.00 – $152,150.00.

Why you’ll love building your career at Altria

• Work where life works for you — flexible and remote options designed to fit your world.
• Own your time — start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, and a 37.5‑hour workweek.
• A place where you belong — your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real.
• Get recognized — annual merit increases and a performance bonus.
• A future you can count on — 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing with an annual company contribution of 13%–17% of base salary.
• Help with your goals — student loan repayment assistance, conference attendance, and professional development stipends for certifications.
• Support for what matters — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Celebrate milestones — paid parental and bonding leave for life’s biggest moments.
• Whole‑person wellness — programs that support your well‑being at every stage of life.
• Culture of service — paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference.

We’re a Fortune 500 company with a leading portfolio for U.S. adult tobacco and nicotine consumers 21+. We’ve been an industry leader for decades, and our vision is Moving Beyond Smoking™.

Altria is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, John Middleton, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Helix Innovations, and NJOY, with complementary equity investments in Anheuser‑Busch InBev and Cronos Group.

Learn more at and follow us on LinkedIn.

Legal

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

At Altria, we celebrate the power of diverse teams working together to shape our future. Each Altria company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals with conviction records, a fair chance at employment. Join us as we work together to shape a better future for adult tobacco consumers, our employees, and our shareholders.