Job Description
About SunOpta
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
The Lead Automation Controls Technician serves as the senior technical authority for plant automation and control systems. This role provides hands-on advanced troubleshooting, leads automation support activities, and mentors controls technicians while partnering closely with engineering, maintenance, and operations. The Lead Technician ensures system reliability, standardization, and continuous improvement across automated equipment.
Essential Functions of the Job:
Technical Leadership
• Lead troubleshooting and resolution of complex PLC, HMI, motion, safety, and network issues
• Own advanced diagnostics of control systems, including intermittent, systemic and production-critical failures
• Review, modify, and implement PLC logic, HMI applications, and control strategies
• Serve as escalation point for Controls Technician I & II
• Ensure PLC programs, backups, and documentation are current and standardized
• Maintain and enforce change-control, security best practices, and system access control
Project & Improvement Support
• Lead or support automation upgrades, retrofits, and new equipment installations
• Participate in FAT/SAT, commissioning, and production startups
• Identify reliability risks and drive corrective and preventive actions
• Support continuous improvement, safety, and efficiency initiatives
• Collaborate with Controls Engineers on system architecture and standards
• Participate in controls design reviews, risk assessments, and equipment specifications
Team & Operational Leadership
• Mentor, train, and develop Automation Controls Technicians
• Provide technical guidance during downtime and critical production events
• Assist with work prioritization, scheduling, and technical decision-making
• Promote and enforce safety standards, electrical codes, and LOTO compliance
• Act as technical liaison between maintenance, engineering, operations, and vendors/contractors/consultants
Supervisory Responsibilities:
• None.
Minimum Qualifications:
• High school diploma or GED required
• Associate degree or technical certification in Automation, Electronics, Mechatronics, or related field preferred
• 6–10+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, or electrical maintenance
• Advanced knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servos, and industrial control systems
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex automation and network issues independently
• Strong understanding of electrical schematics, control panel design, and standards
• Experience leading or mentoring technical staff
Preferred Qualifications:
• Expert-level experience with PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.)
• HMI/SCADA development and system integration experience
• Industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, DeviceNet, Modbus, etc.)
• Robotics or motion control experience
• Root cause analysis and reliability engineering exposure
• Strong communication and leadership skills
Additional Considerations:
• Location: This position will be based in our SunOpta Plant in Allentown, PA.
• Shift: Night Shift role on a 2-2-3 pattern; 5:30 pm to 6:00 am. Some flexibility may be needed.
• Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
Physical & Work Requirements
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work in industrial environments
• Ability to climb ladders, work in panels, and access equipment safely
• Willingness to support off-shift work, startups, and emergency call-ins as needed
• Use of PPE including arc-flash equipment as required
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
