Industrial Automation Engineer
Smurfit Westrock · Pleasant Prairie, WI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Pleasant Prairie, WI. A modern BHS, Fosber, or MarquipWardUnited corrugator systems.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- OEE, Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation
- 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 Wisconsin: typical posted base $86k–$127k.
Median of the low and high ends of 10 live postings that list pay, out of 24 controls engineer openings in Wisconsin, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Wisconsin plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 23 other live controls postings in Wisconsin.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $86k–$127k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 63%
- ✓ Automation 63%
- ✓ Root cause 42%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 33%
- ✓ Robotics 33%
- ✓ EHS / safety 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 Smurfit Westrock
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: Smurfit Westrock in Pleasant Prairie
2 other open roles at this site.
- Maintenance Manager · Reliability · Manager
- Maintenance Technician · Reliability · Technician
Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Qualifications
- ✓Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related technical field, with a minimum 7+ years of experience supporting industrial automation systems in a manufacturing environment.
Or
Associate’s degree in electrical engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, or related technical field, with a minimum 10+ years of experience supporting industrial automation systems in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Strong troubleshooting experience with:
- ✓PLC systems (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Siemens S7 classis and TIA Portal)
- ✓Variable Frequency Drives (PowerFlex, ABB, Siemens, Danfoss, Nord, etc.)
- ✓Servo drives and motion control systems
- ✓Industrial HMIs and SCADA systems
- ✓Electrical control panels and power distribution systems
- ✓Experience reading and interpreting:
- ✓Electrical schematics
- ✓Control drawings
- ✓P&IDs
- ✓Equipment manuals and technical documentation
- ✓Knowledge of industrial networking and communications protocols.
- ✓Strong understanding of electrical safety standards and practices.
Preferred Experience
- ✓Experience within corrugated packaging, paper converting, paper mills, or high-speed manufacturing operations.
- ✓Experience with:
- ✓A modern BHS, Fosber, or MarquipWardUnited corrugator systems
- ✓High Speed Flexo Folder Gluers (FFG)
- ✓High Yield Rotary die cutters
- ✓Robot integration
- ✓Vision systems
- ✓Automated Conveyor Systems
- ✓Condition monitoring technologies
- ✓Electrical Project Design & Management
- ✓PLC Programming & Troubleshooting
- ✓HMI Development
- ✓Industrial Networking
- ✓Motion Control Systems
- ✓Variable Frequency Drives
- ✓Servo Systems
- ✓Electrical Controls Design
- ✓Root Cause Analysis
- ✓Reliability Engineering
- ✓Automated Material Handling Systems
- ✓Process Optimization
- ✓Data Collection & Performance Analytics
- ✓Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb ladders, work from elevated platforms, and access mechanical or electrical equipment areas as needed.
- ✓Ability to lift and carry tools, parts, and equipment as required by the job.
- ✓May be exposed to manufacturing, corrugator, warehouse, electrical room, and industrial production environments.
- ✓Must be able to work safely around electrical equipment, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.
- ✓May require overtime, weekend work, or on-call response to support facility operations.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
The Industrial Automation Engineer is responsible for the reliability, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automation and electrical control systems throughout a corrugated box manufacturing facility. This role serves as the technical lead for PLCs, motor drives, HMIs, industrial networks, sensors, and machine control systems supporting corrugators, converting equipment, material handling systems, plant utilities and auxiliary support equipment.
The successful candidate will drive equipment uptime, improve operational performance, support maintenance and production teams, and lead automation-related capital and continuous improvement projects while ensuring compliance with all safety and electrical standards.
Electrical Controls & Troubleshooting
- •Provide expert-level troubleshooting and repair of electrical control systems on a BHS corrugator, MHI high Speed EVOL Flexo Folder Gluers, BWP Flexo Folder Gluer, Gopfert Jumbo Flexo Folder Gluer, BOBST high yield Rotary Diecutters, Robotic systems, state of the art automated conveying equipment and auxiliary support systems.
- •Diagnose and resolve complex machine downtime issues involving PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo drives, robotic systems, motion control systems, sensors, and industrial communications.
- •Analyze root causes of recurring electrical and automation failures and implement corrective actions.
- •Support emergency breakdown response and critical production machine recovery efforts.
PLC & Automation Systems
- •Develop, modify, troubleshoot, and optimize PLC programs.
- •Support systems utilizing current Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or other industrial control platforms.
- •Maintain and improve HMI and SCADA applications.
- •Configure and troubleshoot Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profinet, and other industrial communications networks.
- •Maintain automation documentation, control narratives, and system backups.
Motor Drives & Motion Control
- •Troubleshoot and optimize AC/DC motor drives, servo systems, and motion controls.
- •Support startup, tuning, and commissioning of VFDs and servo drive systems.
- •Analyze motor performance issues and coordinate corrective actions.
- •Improve machine performance through optimization of drive parameters and control strategies.
Reliability & Continuous Improvement
- •Lead initiatives to improve machine reliability, reduce downtime, and increase Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
- •Utilize predictive and preventive maintenance methodologies for electrical and control systems.
- •Perform failure analysis and develop reliability-centered maintenance strategies.
- •Collaborate with operations teams to identify opportunities for automation improvements and process optimization.
Safety & Compliance
- •Ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, NFPA 70E, and plant electrical safety standards.
- •Participate in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) development and compliance activities.
- •Support machine risk assessments and safety system validations.
- •Maintain compliance with company environmental, health, and safety requirements.
Training & Leadership
- •Mentor maintenance technicians and controls specialists.
- •Provide training on PLC troubleshooting, electrical systems, drives, and control technologies.
- •Serve as the plant's primary technical expert for automation systems.
- •Support cross-functional teams in achieving operational excellence objectives.