Job Description

We make pet food taste great! For over 30 years, AFB International has been providing pet food solutions that enrich the lives of pets and their people. Our palatants are specially designed to make pet foods, treats and supplements taste better, ensuring pets receive the vital nutrients they need. We know wagging tails, licking whiskers and empty bowls equal happy pets and happy pet parents. Join AFB and you'll be a part of a team of highly skilled professionals that provide the greatest contribution to our success as an organization. Our team members are diverse, creative, passionate experts who are genuinely dedicated to our mission, our customers, and the pets we serve worldwide. ​

The Controls Systems Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing automation solutions within the manufacturing environment. This role involves a deep understanding of manufacturing processes, control systems, and the ability to optimize efficiency and reliability through innovative automation strategies.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Design, develop, and maintain instrumentation, automation, and control systems using standard engineering techniques.
• Automate manufacturing processes to enhance efficiency and reliability.
• Develop and modify PLC and HMI applications, interfaces, and embedded controls.
• Participate in the setup and commissioning of new processes and upgrades.
• Assist the maintenance department in troubleshooting and resolving electrical and control issues.
• Recommend improvements for operational safety, quality, and efficiency.
• Develop and maintain documentation for automation systems and procedures.
• Collaborate with global engineering teams to strategize system upgrades.
• Support and maintain the organization’s Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure in partnership with the IT team.
• Configure, install, maintain, and support critical software and hardware components.
• Monitor system availability, troubleshoot connectivity issues, and resolve them promptly.
• Measure and enhance system performance and scalability; assist in developing disaster recovery plans.
• Work independently to handle complex issues and provide solutions.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to controls technicians and maintenance technicians.
• Manage control projects with external resources and support.
• Ensure compliance with industry safety standards and regulations.
• Manage projects, including budgeting and scheduling, and ensure effective implementation of capital expenditures related to assigned projects.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align automation plans with business objectives and engineering projects.
• Ensure the safety of control systems, including design, installation, operation, and maintenance.
• Ensure that control systems equipment is designed and maintained to produce safe food products.
• Maintain and develop the AVEVA System Platform SCADA environment.
• Stay abreast of the latest advancements in automation technology and apply them to improve processes.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Not applicable.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience

Bachelor's degree from four-year college or university. Major(s): Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or comparable engineering discipline with demonstrated relevant experience. Comparable experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Thorough PLC programming experience in accordance with IEC 61131 (Rockwell PLC a plus)
• Experience programming in Studio 5000, RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000
• Experience commissioning PLCs from scratch.
• HMI and/or SCADA (AVEVA system Platform / Wonderware) development experience.
• Thorough understanding of OT infrastructure networking principles and set ups.
• Thorough understanding of industrial controls systems, ladder logic principles and design, and industrial automation programming.
• Fanuc robot experience
• Thorough understanding of electrical systems and instrumentation.
• Familiarity with industry standards such as NEC, NFPA 79, and UL508A codes.
• Excellent interpersonal communication and leadership skills to interact effectively with peers, co-workers, supervisors, customers, and vendors as required.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to write and present technical information in a technical and accurate format for technical audiences, and in layman’s terms for less technical audiences.
• Ability to follow instructions and respond to management direction.
• Must be able to work well in a team environment.
• Computer skills should include but not limited to: MS Office products, Visio, MS Project, MMS systems, ERP systems, AutoCAD Electrical.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.