Controls Engineer
Gehl Food and Beverage · Lathrop, MO
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 6+ years
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Gehl Food and Beverage (industrial) in Lathrop, MO. As part of a cross-functional team, this role provides technical support and implements enhancements for aseptic manufacturing systems with a focus on safety and quality.
- They ask for
- 6+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- FDA / GMP, PLC, Robotics, AutoCAD, MES
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Missouri: typical posted base $94k–$140k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 16 controls engineer openings in Missouri, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Missouri plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 15 other live controls postings in Missouri.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (6+ vs 3+)
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 88%
- Automation 69%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 44%
- ✓ Robotics 44%
- Root cause 38%
- ✓ MES 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
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 Gehl Food and Beverage
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 does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- 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 Gehl Food and BeverageAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
include designing, programming, testing, and troubleshooting aseptic filling and processing lines and material-handling systems.
As part of a cross-functional team, this role provides technical support and implements enhancements for aseptic manufacturing systems with a focus on safety and quality. The Controls Engineer serves as an electrical controls resource for equipment development and troubleshooting and works closely with engineering, operations, and maintenance to meet production needs.
Key Responsibilities
- ◆Provide machine support including but not limited to safety controllers, PLC's, HMI's, robots, motion control, measurement systems, instrumentation, material handling systems, industrial networks, and computer system hardware/software application support for MES and data collection systems.
- ◆Perform work utilizing plant electrical controls standards.
- ◆Work with the Change Management Process for the overall implementation, performance, and continuous improvement of company initiatives.
- ◆Schedule and manage upgrades, overhauls, and conversions of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines.
- ◆Provide training in the operation and maintenance of Aseptic Filling and Process Lines
- ◆Participate in after-hours support for engineering groups on a rotating basis.
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent technical experience)
- ✓4-6 years of relevant technical/operational experience in manufacturing or production environments
- ✓Experience with aseptic processing and packaging systems (minimum 2 years), preferably Tetra Pak equipment
- ✓Proficiency with PLCs (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell), HMI systems, and SCADA platforms (Ignition, Wonderware)
- ✓Knowledge of motion control, VFDs, safety hardware, robotics, and vision inspection systems (e.g., Cognex, Keyence)
- ✓Experience installing, commissioning, and troubleshooting processing and packaging equipment, including off-hours support as needed
- ✓Understanding of food processing/packaging operations, FDA regulations, and NFPA 70/70E/78 standards
- ✓AutoCAD experience
Salary Description
110K - 130K
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Now Hiring: Controls Engineer
Reports To: Engineering Manager
Why join our team?
- •Full benefits package - medical, dental, vision & 401(k) match
- •Generous PTO & holidays
- •Growth opportunities to expand skillsets and enhance career
- •Amazing team & culture focused on:
Communication | Community Involvement | Wellness | Employee Activities
Other Benefits & Programs We Offer
- •Referral bonus program
- •Tuition reimbursement
- •HSA Medical plan option with annual company contribution
- •Perks at Work - discounts on shopping, travel & more
- •Proven continued business growth for future opportunities
Position Overview
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Controls Engineer analyzes plant processes and supports the control, optimization, and reliability of production assets.