{"id":2354715,"url":"https://alion.io/job/one-moment-please-controls-engineer-2","title":"Controls Engineer","company":{"id":2272262,"name":"SunOpta","domain":"sunopta.com","url":"https://alion.io/company/sunopta","size_band":"501-1000","is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Dayforce","truth_index":null},"role":"Industrial Engineering","role_family":"Industrial Engineering","seniority":null,"employment_type":null,"work_mode":"on_site","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"structured","locations":["Allentown, United States"],"countries":["US"],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":{"min_usd":59000,"max_usd":141000,"period":"year","method":"role_country_seniority_unknown","sample_n":11930},"experience_years_min":null,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"TCP/IP","optional":false},{"name":"SQL","optional":true}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-09-30T05:00:00Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-10-12","last_verified_at":"2026-10-14T14:01:12Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":14,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":14},"description":"Job Summary:\nThe Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, documentation, maintenance, and support of manufacturing automation and control systems across process, packaging, and utility operations.\nThis role provides hands-on technical expertise in PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, drives, instrumentation, and industrial networks to support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.\nThe Controls Engineer supports capital projects, system upgrades, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives, working closely with Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Engineering, IT, and Corporate Engineering.\nThis position serves as the plant technical authority for automation systems, ensuring alignment with company standards, Management of Change (MOC) requirements, Automation Change Control (ACC) practices, and cybersecurity expectations.\nThe Controls Engineer is accountable for improving automation reliability, process control performance, and operational efficiency while maintaining compliance with food safety, GMP, OSHA, NEC, and NFPA 70E electrical safety standards.\nEssential Functions of the Job:\nAutomation & Controls Engineering\nDevelop, implement, and maintain standardized automation and electrical engineering practices.\nDesign, program, test, document, and support PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, with primary emphasis on Rockwell Automation / FactoryTalk, while supporting other industrial automation platforms as required.\nConfigure, integrate, and support process control systems for process, utilities, and packaging operations.\nDevelop and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new or modified automation systems.\nDevelop and maintain control narratives, functional specifications, PLC control system architecture, and reusable PLC standards, including Add-On Instructions (AOIs).\nImplement and support advanced control strategies, including PID tuning, alarm management, and operator interface optimization.\nDevelop, recommend, and implement automation and control improvements to enhance equipment performance, efficiency, and reliability.\nInstrumentation, Drives & Networks\nSpecify, integrate, and troubleshoot field instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, conductivity, pH, etc.) using best practices aligned with IEEE and IEC standards.\nSupport calibration activities and coordinate with third-party calibration services in accordance with company standards.\nIntegrate, configure, and tune VFD and servo motion systems, supporting reliable process control and equipment protection.\nSupport and troubleshoot industrial control and PC-based networks, including EtherNet/IP, TCP/IP, and Modbus (legacy DeviceNet exposure a plus).\nReliability, Safety & Compliance\nProvide automation and controls expertise in support of maintenance and reliability programs, contributing to asset performance and lifecycle objectives.\nEnsure automation systems and work practices comply with OSHA, NEC, NFPA 70E, GMP, food safety, and company electrical safety standards.\nParticipate in and enforce Management of Change (MOC) processes, including Automation Change Control (ACC) for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control system modifications.\nServe as a safety role model, promoting safe work practices and continuous improvement in electrical and automation safety.\nCollaboration & Support\nPartner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, IT, and Corporate Engineering to resolve process, equipment, and system issues.\nCommunicate automation system changes, capabilities, and impacts to affected stakeholders, and provide technical training and guidance to Control Technicians, Maintenance, and other technical services departments.\nAct as the plant-level technical escalation point for automation-related issues, with clear escalation paths to Corporate Engineering for complex or enterprise-impacting matters.\nPerform other related duties as assigned.\nMinimum Qualifications:\nBachelor’s or Associate degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.\n5+ years of applied industrial automation and controls experience in a manufacturing environment.\nStrong experience with Rockwell Automation platforms, including ControlLogix / CompactLogix PLCs, FactoryTalk View HMI/SCADA, and Studio 5000 (legacy SLC500 / MicroLogix exposure a plus).\nProven experience with PLC programming, Add-On Instruction (AOI) development, commissioning, and troubleshooting of manufacturing automation systems.\nExperience integrating and supporting motor control systems, including VFDs and servo drives.\nDemonstrated ability to troubleshoot automation systems from field instrumentation through control logic and operator interfaces.\nExperience in food, beverage, or aseptic manufacturing environments, including exposure to Tetra Pak processing or packaging equipment.\nWorking knowledge of industrial electrical safety practices, including OSHA and NFPA 70E compliance.\nPreferred Qualifications:\nExperience in aseptic, dairy, or high-speed beverage manufacturing environments.\nFamiliarity with CIP systems, validation documentation, and regulated manufacturing requirements.\nExposure to industrial networking and PC-based networking technologies.\nExperience supporting capital projects, equipment upgrades, and system migrations.\nWorking knowledge of SQL Server or other relational databases in support of manufacturing systems.\nKnowledge of Lean / TPM manufacturing principles.\nStrong organizational, prioritization, and communication skills.\nProfessional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.\nKnowledge and Skills:\nProgramming experience primarily with Allen Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix and SLC500 PLCs.\nHMI or SCADA programming and configuration.\nAllen Bradley PowerFlex VFDs.\nKnowledge of and familiarity with the National Electric Code (NEC) and international standards.\nProficiency designing and programming control systems with emphasis on PLCs, HMI systems.\nExperience and demonstrated knowledge of thermodynamics and mechanics is required.\nKnowledge of Lean Manufacturing practices is beneficial.\nStrong verbal and written communication skills are required.\nWorking knowledge of RSLogix 500,5000, and Studio 5000 Factory Talk view, and Studio.\nBasic network skills and troubleshooting.\nMust have a working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint software.\nPrefer a candidate with SQF practical experience and training.\nDemonstrated results of solving complex technical issues.\nAdditional Considerations:\nTravel Requirements: Up to 10%.\nLocation: This position will be at our SunOpta Plant in Allentown, PA.\nPersonal Protective Equipment (PPE) is required when performing work in production or maintenance areas.","description_format":"text","description_chars":6776,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":null,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"associate","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":[],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Food & Beverages","Grains, Cereals & Pasta","Organic 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