Sr Engineer Controls-1st Shift- Waverly Plant
Tyson Foods · Waverly Plant - Waverly, NE
- Level
- Senior
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 22 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A senior controls role at Tyson Foods (food & beverage) in Waverly Plant - Waverly, NE.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics
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.
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.
Nebraska 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
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Typical $97k–$141k, from 248 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
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.
Stands out: this posting asks for Six Sigma, SolidWorks, 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 Tyson 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.
This plant: Tyson Foods in Waverly Plant - Waverly
1 other open role at this site.
- Production Supervisor – Staging/Whole Bird- 2nd Shift- Waverly Plant · Production · Supervisor
Full description from Tyson FoodsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position Summary
We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Automation & Controls Engineering Leader to provide technical and operational leadership across our Controls, Automation, and Continuous Improvement teams . This role is responsible for driving automation strategy, improving plant reliability, leading capital and process improvement initiatives, and developing the next generation of technical talent within the organization.
This role requires a strong balance of leadership, engineering expertise, project management, and continuous improvement experience.
Education
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related technical field required.
- ✓Equivalent combination of education and relevant industry experience may be considered.
Experience
- ✓Minimum of 7+ years of automation, controls, or industrial engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.
- ✓Prior experience leading projects, mentoring employees, or providing technical leadership within engineering or maintenance organizations.
- ✓Demonstrated expertise with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, industrial networking, and process automation.
- ✓Strong understanding of electrical systems, instrumentation, controls integration, and industrial automation technologies.
- ✓Experience with root cause analysis, reliability improvement, and continuous improvement methodologies.
- ✓Proven ability to manage multiple priorities while supporting daily operations and long-term strategic initiatives.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Experience with Ignition SCADA, SQL databases, Python scripting, and industrial data systems.
- ✓Experience with VFDs, motion controls, robotics, machine vision, and advanced manufacturing technologies.
- ✓Knowledge of Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, EtherCAT, and related industrial networks.
- ✓Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, SolidWorks, or similar design software.
- ✓Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, PMP, or other continuous improvement certifications preferred.
- ✓Experience implementing digital transformation, Industry 4.0, AI vision, machine learning, or predictive maintenance technologies is a plus.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Details
Senior Automation & Controls Engineering Leader
Leadership & Team Development
- •Provide direct leadership, mentoring, and technical guidance to the Controls, Automation, and Continuous Improvement teams.
- •Develop team capabilities through coaching, training, succession planning, and hands-on support.
- •Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning.
- •Serve as a technical resource and mentor for engineers, technicians, and plant personnel.
- •Lead by example through active involvement in troubleshooting, project execution, and continuous improvement efforts.
- •Support recruiting, onboarding, and development of future technical talent.
Automation & Controls Engineering
- •Lead the design, implementation, troubleshooting, and optimization of PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial automation systems.
- •Oversee control system architecture, standardization, and best practice development across facilities.
- •Support and troubleshoot industrial control platforms including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Omron, Automation Direct, and other automation systems.
- •Ensure reliable integration of instrumentation, sensors, drives, motion control systems, pneumatic and hydraulic equipment.
- •Lead control system upgrades, modernization initiatives, and automation expansion projects.
- •Drive implementation and optimization of Ignition SCADA, SQL databases, industrial networking, and data collection platforms.
- •Collaborate with maintenance and operations teams to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.
Continuous Improvement & Reliability
- •Identify and lead process improvement initiatives that increase efficiency, throughput, quality, and operational reliability.
- •Utilize Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, root cause analysis, and problem-solving methodologies to eliminate waste and improve performance.
- •Analyze production and equipment performance data to identify opportunities for optimization.
- •Drive reliability-centered maintenance initiatives and long-term corrective actions.
- •Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to automation, reliability, and process improvements.
Project Management
- •Lead automation, controls, and engineering projects from concept through implementation and startup.
- •Coordinate activities with operations, maintenance, production, vendors, contractors, and engineering resources.
- •Assist with capital planning, budgeting, equipment selection, and project justification.
- •Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
- •Support installation, commissioning, startup, and validation of new equipment and processes.
Key Competencies
- •Technical Leadership
- •Strategic Thinking
- •Employee Development & Coaching
- •Project Management
- •Automation & Controls Expertise
- •Continuous Improvement
- •Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
- •Communication & Collaboration
- •Change Management
- •Operational Excellence
Working Conditions
- •Must be comfortable working in manufacturing environments with varying temperatures, humidity levels, noise levels, and production conditions.
- •Periodic travel between facilities may be required.
- •Ability to work around industrial equipment, electrical systems, elevated work platforms, and production machinery.
- •Must be able to safely operate or work around forklifts, scissor lifts, boom lifts, and ladders as required.
All professional team members are expected to demonstrate responsible use of approved AI tools, including safeguarding sensitive information, adhering to company policies, and validating AI-generated outputs. Individual Contributors should demonstrate the ability to integrate AI into daily wor