Electrical Controls Engineer - Buffalo Trace Distillery

Sazerac · Frankfort, KY

Apply on Sazerac ↗

Level: Engineer
Team: Controls
Base pay: $95k–$120k
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Food & beverage
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at Sazerac (food & beverage) in Frankfort, KY.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required
Tools it names: PLC, Automation, AutoCAD
Base pay: $95k–$120k
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 Kentucky: typical posted base $90k–$145k. This one lists $95k–$120k.

Median of the low and high ends of 8 live postings that list pay, out of 25 controls engineer openings in Kentucky, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

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

How this role compares

Against 24 other live controls postings in Kentucky.

Base pay: About 6% below similar roles
Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

✓ PLC 84%
✓ Automation 84%
Robotics 76%
Root cause 44%
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 40%
Lean 28%

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

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coveragePromotion path mentionedLifts up to 50 lbs

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 Sazerac
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.

This plant: Sazerac in Frankfort

3 other open roles at this site.

Maintenance Supervisor - Buffalo Trace Distillery · Reliability · Supervisor
Reliability Engineer - Buffalo Trace Distillery · Reliability
Manufacturing Supervisor - Buffalo Trace Distillery · Manufacturing · Supervisor

Full description from SazeracAs posted on their careers site.Show

Job Description/Responsibilities

Buffalo Trace Distillery is seeking a skilled and solutions-focused Controls / Electrical Engineer to support the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of our manufacturing operations. This role provides technical leadership and support for electrical and controls systems, preventive and reactive maintenance, troubleshooting, project execution, and systems optimization. The Controls / Electrical Engineer will partner closely with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations teams to maximize equipment reliability and support a goal of at least 95% uptime across responsible areas.

of the Role

◆Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
◆Minimum 5 years of relevant electrical, controls, automation, engineering, or manufacturing experience.
◆Minimum 3 years of hands-on electrical experience, including Allen-Bradley PLC programming, PLC hardware, and industrial equipment troubleshooting.
◆Strong knowledge of electrical and controls systems within a manufacturing, production, or industrial environment.
◆Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex equipment and controls issues and develop effective, sustainable solutions.

Preferred Qualifications

✓Advanced experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation controls, PLC programming, and industrial automation systems.
✓Proficiency with AutoCAD or similar engineering/design software.
✓Working knowledge of industrial computer systems, PCs, LANs, WANs, and networked manufacturing equipment.
✓Experience supporting preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, system upgrades, or capital projects within a high-speed manufacturing environment.
✓Experience within beverage, bottling, food, CPG, or other process manufacturing operations.

Physical

Requirements

✓Ability to lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds without assistance
✓Ability to work around moving mechanical equipment within an active manufacturing environment
✓Ability to work in areas with elevated noise levels and other typical manufacturing conditions
✓Ability to walk and move throughout the facility to conduct inspections, investigations, training, and safety assessments
✓Ability to work an 8-hour shift and overtime as business needs require
✓Regular, reliable, in-person attendance is required

Culture and Benefits

What’s Next

After you apply, a recruiter will review your application and reach out to qualified candidates. Selected candidates will participate in our interview process, which may include a phone screen, hiring manager interview, and additional interviews with business leaders. Applicants not selected to move forward will be notified via emai

Show full description ↓

Sazerac Company Overview

Over 450 of the world’s most extraordinary brands are part of the Sazerac family, including Buffalo Trace, Eagle Rare, Fireball, Svedka, and more. We’re proud to create spirits, cocktails, and experiences for every taste and occasion for people across the globe. Sazerac Company takes pride in fostering a vibrant culture of innovation, craftsmanship, and excellence across our distilleries and operations worldwide.

Company/Location Overview

Buffalo Trace Distillery is an American family-owned company based in Frankfort, Franklin County, Kentucky. The Distillery's rich tradition dates back to 1773 and includes such legends as E.H. Taylor, Jr., George T. Stagg, Albert B. Blanton, Orville Schupp, and Elmer T. Lee.

Buffalo Trace Distillery is a fully operational Distillery producing bourbon, rye and vodka on site and is a National Historic Landmark as well as is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Distillery has won 17 distillery titles since 2000 from such notable publications as Whisky Magazine, Whisky Advocate Magazine and Wine Enthusiast Magazine . It was named “Brand Innovator of the Year” by Whisky Magazine at its Icons of Whisky America Awards 2015. Buffalo Trace Distillery has also garnered more than 300 awards for its wide range of premium whiskies. The distillery is part of the Sazerac family of companies.

For more information, please visit www.buffalotracedistillery.com or www.sazerac.com.

What You’ll Do

•Provide technical direction and support for electrical and controls systems across manufacturing and distillery operations
•Troubleshoot electrical, controls, PLC, and equipment issues to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability
•Support preventive and reactive maintenance activities while identifying opportunities to improve equipment performance and system reliability
•Program, troubleshoot, and maintain Allen-Bradley PLC hardware and related automation and control systems
•Manage and support electrical and controls projects from planning through implementation while balancing multiple projects and operational priorities
•Partner with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, and other cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement, safety, quality, and overall equipment performance
•Support technical documentation, system improvements, regulatory compliance, and maintenance performance initiatives