Controls Engineer

Simmons Foods · Rogers, AR

Apply on Simmons Foods ↗

Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Travel: Includes overnights
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 3+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Simmons Foods (industrial) in Rogers, AR.

They ask for: 3+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Lean, FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Automation, MES
Day to day: overnight travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 22 other live controls postings in Arkansas.

Base pay: Not listed in this posting
Experience asked: Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ PLC 78%
✓ Automation 70%
Robotics 43%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 3+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Overnight travel

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Simmons Foods
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from Simmons FoodsAs posted on their careers site.Show

requirements

for all business unit operations. Set standards and introduce new technology in the electrical and controls field within operations.

Essential Position

Responsibilities

◆This is a salary exempt position.

Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) for food and beverage processing equipment.

Develop and maintain SCADA systems (Ignition, Factory Talk, and Wonderware) for real-time monitoring, data logging, and reporting. Ensure compliance with food safety standards (e.g., FDA, USDA, HACCP, SQF) in all control system designs. Collaborate with production, quality, and maintenance teams to optimize process control and reduce downtime. Integrate control systems with MES and ERP platforms for traceability and batch management. Support CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Sterilize-in-Place) automation strategies. Maintain accurate documentation including electrical schematics, control narratives, and validation protocols.

Participates as a member of the Team

Participates in the ongoing development, communication and implementation of team concepts, programs, and policies; coordinates work to ensure best practices with all team members. Attends appropriate team meetings. As a member of the Team, fosters strong cohesiveness regarding all major issues, e.g., direction, annual plan, budget, policy changes, etc. Accepts responsibility to quickly identify any areas that lack cohesiveness, bringing them to the attention of the team leader and working with the team in a supportive manner to resolve issues and actively look for ways, and reinforce actions needed, to achieve synergy possible within the larger organization.

Performs other duties as necessary in support of business objectives

This position description is intended to guide the activities of the person in this position and is not intended to limit the thinking and creativity of the person as to the work of this function nor is it intended that this describe all the work that may be required of the person in this position.

Technical Experience

3+ years of experience in controls engineering/SCADA development. with at least 1 years in food or beverage manufacturing.

Industry Experience

1 years in food or beverage manufacturing.

Minimum Education

Vocational or Technical school in electrical systems, automation, or computer related field.

Preferred Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or Computer related field.

We value military experience and welcome veterans to join our team.

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Show full description ↓

Create and maintain plant automation and control systems, staying current with new technology and safety

Simmons Operating systems principles and objectives

Is familiar with Simmons’ established operating systems (e.g. quality, security, office environment, company policies, LEAN); understands the responsibility to maintain familiarity with the systems and this position’s role in support of these systems - including a consideration of the impact of individual actions on the systems and the responsibility to communicate concerns and improvement ideas.

Physical Activities

Enters and locates information on a computer. Must be able to work in various temperatures. Move about in a manufacturing environment and surrounding property. May travel via car or plane to various work locations.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

As required by visiting facility.

Travel

Travels domestically to and from multiple facilities or worksites, possibly requiring overnight stays.