Controls and Automation Engineer
Shearer's Foods · Burlington, IA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Shearer's Foods (food & beverage) in Burlington, IA.
- They ask for
- degree required
- Tools it names
- Root cause, FDA / GMP, PLC, Robotics, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $98k–$140k.
Median of the low and high ends of 339 live postings that list pay, out of 994 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Iowa plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 12 other live controls postings in Iowa.
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 69%
- ✓ PLC 62%
- ✓ Robotics 46%
- Tooling 38%
- Team leadership 38%
- ✓ Root cause 23%
✓ = 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.
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 Shearer's 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 Shearer's FoodsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
Controls and Automation Engineer The Controls and Automation Engineer is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the controls and automation equipment which includes troubleshooting, preforming program backups, and system upgrades. Direct involvement with cross-functional team that include safety, quality, engineering, and production. This position will provide technical guidance to other members of the maintenance team and other technical members of Shearers to develop higher controls capabilities across the network. Execute in a safe manner. Embrace and help to develop a people safety first culture. Preform advanced troubleshooting functions by using the PLC and HMI code to diagnose issues that are causing downtime. Ownership of regular program backups and ensure that all program changes adhere to Shearer’s safety and quality standards. Ensure that all machines have up-to-date electrical prints. Develop and train maintenance personnel on control systems and functions. Continue to find ways to improve cycle times; reduce scrap and upgrade components for cost/performance improvement being sure to communicate these changes to the wider controls team and the Proactive Maintenance central function. Provide recommendations to engineering team for new equipment to avoid obsolescence and design issues in the future. Assist the corporate controls team in creating electrical and controls standards and implement them in each facility. Continually improve knowledge base regarding advances in parts, equipment and processes to keep abreast of changes and innovations in equipment selection. Active Safety Committee Participation Assist in the development of base line safe work performance expectations and work practices. Identify and correct any unsafe condition and identify and unsafe action observed. • Participates in RCA’s. Ability to make changes to existing PLC and HMI programs to improve the process. Perform the above duties in a food safe manner adhering to all GMP’s (Good Manufacturing Practices. Knowledge, skills, and abilities Full familiarity with computer programs such as Auto-Cad, Microsoft Office, etc. Full familiarity with Rockwell PLC software and can design, write and troubleshoot same. RS Logix 500 RS Logix 5000 Studio 5000 Connected Components Workbench (CCW) o FactoryTalk View Studio Full familiarity with Rockwell hardware and can design, write and troubleshoot same. o SLC 500 o MicroLogix o CompactLogix o ControlLogix o Panelview o Power Flex Familiarity with high-speed manufacturing and packaging processes, operations and associated machinery. Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical prints. ABB & Fanuc Robot programming (and others)
Qualifications
Controls and Automation Engineer The Controls and Automation Engineer is responsible for upkeep and maintenance of the controls and automation equipment which includes troubleshooting, preforming program backups, and system upgrades. Direct involvement with cross-functional team that include safety, quality, engineering, and production. This position will provide technical guidance to other members of the maintenance team and other technical members of Shearers to develop higher controls capabilities across the network. Execute in a safe manner. Embrace and help to develop a people safety first culture. Preform advanced troubleshooting functions by using the PLC and HMI code to diagnose issues that are causing downtime. Ownership of regular program backups and ensure that all program changes adhere to Shearer’s safety and quality standards. Ensure that all machines have up-to-date electrical prints. Develop and train maintenance personnel on control systems and functions. Continue to find ways to improve cycle times; reduce scrap and upgrade components for cost/performance improvement being sure to communicate these changes to the wider controls team and the Proactive Maintenance central function. Provide recommendations to engineering team for new equipment to avoid obsolescence and design issues in the future. Assist the corporate controls team in creating electrical
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Overview Shearer’s Foods, founded in 1974 and headquartered in Massillon, OH, is a leading manufacturer of salty snacks, cookies, and crackers. Specializing in private label and co-manufacturing, Shearer’s is the largest supplier of private brand salty snacks and second-largest supplier of private brand cookies and crackers. With a strong focus on innovation, service, quality, and sustainability, Shearer’s has been awarded the food industry’s highest award for environmental sustainability, as well as multiple Supplier of the Year awards. Operating 16 locations across North America and employing more than 5000 team members, Shearer’s is driven by its core values of People, Grow, Impact and Win. The company mission is to deliver exceptional products and services that make snacking a time to celebrate for our customers, colleagues, and community. At Shearer’s Foods, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential. Your skills, experience, and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us.