Automation & Controls Specialist - 2nd shift
Unilever · Jefferson City, MO
- Level
- Specialist
- Team
- Controls
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 7 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A specialist controls role at Unilever (food & beverage) in Jefferson City, MO.
- They ask for
- 2+ years
- Tools it names
- OEE, Root cause, PLC, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in Missouri: typical posted base $94k–$140k.
Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 13 controls engineer openings in Missouri, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Missouri plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 12 other live controls postings in Missouri.
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 85%
- ✓ Automation 69%
- ✓ Root cause 54%
- Robotics 46%
- Lean 38%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 38%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Union environment, 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 Unilever
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: Unilever in Jefferson City
3 other open roles at this site.
- Manufacturing Supervisor (Nights) - Liquid I.V. · Manufacturing · Supervisor
- Category Packaging Equipment Engineer · Manufacturing
- Senior Manufacturing Manager · Manufacturing · Manager
Full description from UnileverAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What You'll Do
- ◆Attend daily and weekly meetings to help drive and help understand automation need within the facility
- ◆Work cross functionally with other departments.
- ◆Improve current and deliver new low cost automation within the departments.
- ◆Understanding and eliminating the top daily automation losses.
- ◆Participate in the development and subsequent delivery of strategic improvement plan to execute OEE targets.
- ◆Review any and all breakdown Root Cause Analysis (EWO) actions to ensure completion.
- ◆Understand and teach the team the theory of operations of all equipment
- ◆Ability to access Server based applications: RSBatch, RSView SE, FactoryTalk History, Factory Talk VantagePoint, FactoryTalk Metrics
- ◆Perform more advanced PLC ladder logic programming such as PID loop control and sequencers
- ◆Identify continuous improvement and cost saving opportunities
- ◆Support the planning and execution of automation trials and engineering solutions for facility
- ◆Read and understand electrical related documents such as schematics, one-line diagrams, plan drawings, instrument installation and configuration details.
- ◆Understand basic PLC ladder logic; be able to make simple relay logic PLC program changes.
- ◆All other duties as assigned
What You'll Need to Succeed
- ✓High school diploma, or GED equivalent.
- ✓A graduate of a 2 year post-secondary program in Industrial Electricity, Successful completion of a formal apprenticeship program or three years directly related mechanical experience can be substituted for post-secondary education
- ✓Must be flexible within pattern of shift work to accommodate factory shut down, training courses etc., and emergency cover.
- ✓Ability to work with cross functional teams to ensure all Autonomous/Prevent Maintenance get completed.
- ✓Flexible work schedule to ensure support for teams on varying shifts
- ✓Proficient in Microsoft Office
- ✓Maintain and configure Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) hardware
- ✓Understand PLC ladder logic: can implement automation solutions within the PLC code
- ✓Understand and apply National Electric Code (NEC)
requirements
- ✓Ability to maintain and configure Variable Frequency Drives (VFD) and DC drives
- ✓Ability to maintain, and configure servo motors
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Title: Automation & Controls Specialist
Location: Jefferson City, MO
Shift: 2nd shift, Monday thru Friday 3pm - 11pm
Pay: $37.57 per hour, plus a shift differential of $6.76 per hour, paid weekly
Background & Purpose of the Job : Unilever Jefferson City provides a holistic and hygienic choice of personal care brands that benefit the mind, body, and health of consumers while minimizing environmental footprints and promoting the individual growth of our people. Our "mission of wellbeing" is quickly becoming the new status symbol for health and beauty.
Work directly with Packaging and Process departments to deliver automation solutions for the facility. Must be able to lead autonomously with clear direction to our team, make data-based decisions, and multi-task in a dynamic environment.
Overall Benefits & Perks (non-union)
Medical, Dental, Vision effective immediately | 401K | Profit Sharing | Tuition/Fitness Reimbursement | Paid Leaves | Quarterly Bonus Payouts | Uniforms and PPE provided| Career Advancement Opportunities *
Additional Perks for the “Jefferson City ” location
- •Onsite Company store for product purchases
- •Uniforms provided by the company
- •Safety shoe and prescription safety glasses subsidy
- •Company dinners and care packages periodically
- •Benefits are effective the first day of hire (if elected)
- •Onsite Cafeteria
- •Free Hot and Iced Coffee
- •Free Soft Serve Ice Cream on select days of the week
What You’ll Love About his job
- •Working as a team
- •Great work life balance environment
- •Awesome benefits and onsite company store
- •-----------------------------------
At Unilever, inclusion is at the heart of everything we do . We welcome applicants from all walks of life and are committed to creating an environment where everyone can thrive/succeed. All applicants will receive fair and respectful consideration, and we actively support the growth and development of every employee.
Employment is subject to verification of pre-screening tests, which may include drug screening, background check, credit check and DMV check.
If you are an individual with a disability in need of assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please contact us at NA.Accommodations@unilever.com . Please note: This email is reserved for individuals with disabilities in need of assistance and is not a means of inquiry about positions or application statuses. The Protected Veterans or Individuals with Disabilities AAP narratives are available for inspection by any employee or applicant for employment Monday through Friday during normal business hours at establishment.