Senior Automation Engineer

Location: On-Site at our Factory in Hugoton, KS

About the Role

We are establishing a new dairy manufacturing facility in Hugoton, Kansas, producing processed milk, creamers, and cream cheeses across process, utilities, filling, and packaging. This is a greenfield opportunity to build the automation function from the ground up.

As the Senior Automation Engineer, you will be one of two automation professionals responsible for the site’s entire controls and automation ecosystem. This is a deeply hands‑on role where you will program PLCs, support SCADA and server infrastructure, resolve automation faults, and lead capital automation projects. You will also provide technical leadership, guide suppliers and integrators, and partner closely with global engineering and IT teams. You will have end‑to‑end ownership of automation reliability, performance, and continuous improvement.

What You’ll Do

Hands‑On Automation & Control Systems

• Program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems on the Rockwell Automation platform (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, FactoryTalk View).

• Own the entire Rockwell Automation portfolio at the site, including firmware updates, licensing, patching, and system health.

• Develop and optimize control logic for pasteurization, separation, homogenization, batching, filling, CIP/SIP, and utility systems.

• Manage virtualization infrastructure (Hyper‑V, VMware ESXi) and Windows Server environments supporting automation applications.

• Configure, maintain, and troubleshoot industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP).

• Maintain system backups, version control (Rockwell AssetCentre), and technical documentation for all automation assets.

Maintenance of Automation Assets

• Lead the preventive maintenance program for all automation hardware (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA servers, network switches, virtualization hosts).

• Perform corrective maintenance and resolve automation faults to minimize downtime.

• Maintain and manage spare parts strategy for critical automation components.

• Monitor automation asset lifecycle, including firmware versions, hardware revisions, and end‑of‑life planning.

Project Leadership

• Lead automation‑related capital projects from concept through commissioning and handover.

• Develop technical specifications, functional descriptions, and system architecture documentation.

• Coordinate with OEMs, system integrators, and vendors to ensure system compatibility and performance.

• Manage timelines, budgets, and deliverables for all automation scope.

• Conduct and oversee FAT and SAT activities.

Manufacturing Support

• Provide real‑time troubleshooting support to operations and maintenance during production.

• Analyze automation and equipment performance data to identify root causes of downtime and variability.

• Lead and participate in RCAs and MOC processes.

• Support commissioning, startup, and validation of new equipment and production lines.

• Ensure all automation changes follow site change‑control procedures.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure all control systems comply with regulatory and industry standards (FDA, PMO, OSHA, NFPA, 3‑A Sanitary Standards).

• Maintain and enhance safety interlocks, alarms, and emergency‑stop systems.

• Support quality and food‑safety requirements, including traceability, batch control, and audit readiness.

Continuous Improvement & Collaboration

• Identify and implement opportunities to automate manual processes and improve equipment reliability.

• Support digital transformation initiatives, including historians, MES, and predictive technologies.

• Mentor and train plant personnel, including the junior automation engineer.

• Collaborate with global engineering and IT teams on standards, governance, and cross‑site initiatives.

About You

You hold a degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, or a related technical field and bring 5+ years of hands‑on automation experience within food, beverage, dairy, or process manufacturing. You are highly skilled in PLC and HMI programming on the Rockwell Automation platform and capable of independently managing firmware, licensing, patching, and AssetCentre administration.

You are experienced in industrial networking (Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP), virtualization platforms (Hyper‑V, VMware ESXi), and Windows Server environments. You’re adept at interpreting P&IDs, electrical schematics, and control system documentation. You have led automation capital projects, partnered with OEMs and integrators, and understand dairy processing operations along with sanitary design principles.

Experience with Ignition, MES (e.g., Sepasoft), historians, or PMO requirements is beneficial. You thrive in a greenfield environment, are highly proactive, and balance day‑to‑day operational needs with long‑term project delivery. You communicate effectively, collaborate cross‑functionally, and bring a continuous‑improvement mindset to everything you do.

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We understand your resume might not be up to date and recommend that you apply with what you have or your LinkedIn Profile. Flora Food Group is dedicated to building an inclusive and diverse workplace, we understand that you might not meet all the requirements stated in the description, but we encourage you to apply anyway. You might be the right candidate for this role or other roles. 

Flora Food Group is an employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and equal opportunities for all. We recruit based only on values, qualifications, performance, skills, behaviours, experience, and knowledge. We ensure job advertisements are free from unintentional bias.

No personal characteristics should be a barrier to joining Flora Food Group. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or other personal characteristics.