Senior Controls Automation Engineer – Food Processing

Philadelphia Macaroni Company · Grand Forks, ND

Level: Senior
Team: Controls
Base pay: $73k–$124k
Degree: Preferred
Experience asked: 10+ years
Industry: Industrial
Posted: Recently

The role in 30 seconds

A senior controls role at Philadelphia Macaroni Company (industrial) in Grand Forks, ND. Research, recommend and implement automations improvements for equipment reliability.

They ask for: 10+ years · degree preferred
Tools it names: PLC, Robotics, Automation
Base pay: $73k–$124k

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $97k–$143k. This one lists $73k–$124k.

Median of the low and high ends of 252 live postings that list pay, out of 735 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

North Dakota plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 734 other live controls postings in the US.

Base pay: About 17% below similar roles
Experience asked: More than usual (10+ vs 5+)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ Automation 74%
✓ PLC 68%
✓ Robotics 42%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 27%
Root cause 27%

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

It asks for 10+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

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 Philadelphia Macaroni Company
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2
Send a short, curious note
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3
Turn a reply into a short call
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4
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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.

This plant: Philadelphia Macaroni Company in Grand Forks

1 other open role at this site.

Plant Manager: Food Manufacturing & Safety Leader · Production · Manager

Full description from Philadelphia Macaroni CompanyAs posted on their careers site.Show

qualifications

$73,000 - $124,000 annually with additional bonus potential

Key Responsibilities

◆Assist Engineering with updates, changes and testing of new modifications for multiple high speed food processing production lines.
◆Assist with automations implementation, design and recommendations for existing and future high-speed production line projects.
◆Perform periodic maintenance of systems.
◆Capable of performing and executing troubleshooting of equipment automation/instrumentation issues for all automated food processing systems, robotic systems, and transfer systems applications.
◆Ability to troubleshoot electrical and control systems with minimal documentation or information provided.
◆Research, recommend and implement automations improvements for equipment reliability.
◆Plan, lead and execute automations preventative maintenance efforts to minimize equipment downtime.
◆Demonstrate creative problem solving to identify and perform equipment improvements
◆Coach and mentor operators, technicians and other peers with automations procedures related to high-speed food manufacturing equipment
◆Participate in special projects on equipment upgrades or installations
◆Collaborate with peers and team members to transfer specialist technical knowledge.
◆Practice plant safety guidelines at all times and inspire peers to practice safety all times
◆Maintain regular and consistent attendance and punctuality.
◆Research and implement continuous improvement opportunities.

Qualifications

and

Requirements

✓BA/BS degree in Engineering or related discipline (BSEE degree preferred); 10+ yrs. related experience in lieu of university degree, or 5+ yrs. related experience plus a technical degree/certification will be considered
✓Experience in control panel design and layout for new production equipment.
✓Proficient using Rockwell Software such as Studio 5000, RSLogix5000, RSLogix500, Factory Talk View Studio.
✓Proficient use of various electrical troubleshooting tools such as multimeters, loop simulators, meggers.
✓Experience with Allen Bradley PLC’s, VFD’s, and HMI.
✓Experience with SCADA systems.
✓Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and resolve issues across multiple departments and levels of the organization.
✓Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
✓Effective communication of issues and solutions to cross-functional team members.
✓Ability to read and interpret schematics: electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic.
✓Willingness to be a technical leader and trainer within a specific area of plant or machine center
✓Recommend inventory of automation products.
✓Execute additional instrumentation and electrical duties as assigned.
✓Knowledge of high-tech automation and control products.
✓Knowledge of engineering principles related to automation products.
✓Knowledge of suppliers' automation products

Show full description ↓

The Controls Engineer will work as part of a diverse team and act as a subject matter expert with PLC’s, VFD’s, (HMI) and plant operating systems. As a Controls Engineer, you will work as part of a diverse team and act as a subject matter expert with PLC’s, VFD’s, (HMI) and plant operating systems. You will work directly with maintenance technicians, maintenance operators, supervisors and managers to resolve automation issues as you play a vital role in developing and implementing best practices that are aligned with Winland Foods maintenance, and reliability strategies. You will also champion continuous improvement efforts across the plant. This person is a self–starter, forward thinking, known for bringing ideas forward, and able to utilize data to drive operational and cost efficiency initiatives in the controls and automation space.

Controls Automation Engineer Job Description

Schedule: Primary work schedule is 1st shift, Monday-Friday, with flexibility as needed

Work Location: 1801 N 36th St, Grand Forks, ND

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k) with match, STD/LTD/AD&D/Life, HSA, FSA, EAP, Hospital indemnity, Accident Insurance, Identity and Fraud Protection Plan, Legal, and Critical Illness.

EEO Statement

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