Principal Engineer – Controls

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Colorado, +2 more states.

📋 Description

• Act as a technical authority and resource within the Conagra Engineering organization.

• Collaborate with engineering disciplines, project teams, and site stakeholders to assess requirements and create optimized automation and control system solutions.

• Provide support for capital investment projects while offering technical guidance for manufacturing automation systems.

• Formulate annual and three-year capital plans that include system improvement and automation suggestions.

• Assist in the development of FEL capital projects by providing estimates and technical evaluations.

• Analyze technologies and propose automation, control, and integration solutions.

• Perform assessments of factory infrastructure and identify facility needs.

• Aid in estimating costs for capital and expense projects.

• Work in conjunction with Engineering Project Managers on project design timelines.

• Assess equipment and system performance standards.

• Support Factory Acceptance Testing and Site Acceptance Testing processes.

• Identify prerequisites, risks, alternative solutions, and opportunities for optimization.

• Create functional control descriptions for manufacturing systems and unit operations.

• Develop and review Technical Briefs.

• Create scopes and estimates for Business Case Screening.

• Stay informed about industry regulations, codes, and standards.

• Conduct technical and economic feasibility analyses for initiatives aimed at continuous improvement and competitive advantage.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science.

• Over 7 years of experience in electrical and control system design.

• More than 5 years of experience with Rockwell Automation control systems.

• Familiarity with operations and manufacturing conceptual design.

• Advanced expertise in manufacturing automation systems, networking concepts, programmable logic controllers, variable frequency drives, servo systems, and human machine interfaces.

• Expert-level experience with human machine interface visualization systems, database integration, and SQL Server applications.

• Proficient with Inductive Automation Ignition, Rockwell Software, Aveva Wonderware, or similar industrial automation platforms.

• Experience in supporting advanced process and packaging controls, including robotic packaging systems, batching systems, and Clean-In-Place systems.

• Proven ability in leading large-scale system integration projects and programs.

• Experience in spearheading internal initiatives and fostering cross-functional improvements.

• Demonstrated success in formulating long-term strategies, roadmaps, and technical initiatives.

• Established record of identifying improvement opportunities and executing sustainable solutions.

• This position is available in Omaha, NE, Chicago, IL, selected field locations, or remote locations east of Denver, CO, within a reasonable commuting distance (50 miles) to a major airport.

• Must be willing to travel up to 30% of the time.

• The role may involve working in manufacturing environments and performing physical tasks such as walking, climbing stairs/ladders, kneeling, repetitive hand-eye coordination tasks, and lifting or carrying materials.

• Preference for candidates with experience in the food industry.

• Preferred knowledge includes computer systems, network integration, information technology systems, and cybersecurity principles.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive healthcare plans.

• Wellness incentive program.

• Support for mental well-being.

• Fitness reimbursement.

• Competitive salary.

• Opportunity for bonus incentives.

• 401(k) matching.

• Stock purchase plan.

• Opportunities for career development.

• Employee resource groups.

• On-demand learning resources.

• Tuition reimbursement.

• Paid time off.

• Parental leave.

• Flexible work schedules (subject to location and role).

• Opportunities for volunteering.