Pilot Plant Controls & Automation Engineer

Reporting to the Pilot Plant Maintenance Manager, you will conduct daily setup and teardown of pilot plant equipment as well as provide technical leadership and hands-on support for the site’s automation, electrical, and instrumentation systems. You will develop and implement automation projects, troubleshoot equipment and controls issues, and partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, Facilities, Information Technology, and other site teams to improve reliability, efficiency, safety, and overall plant performance.

This is a hands-on, plant-based engineering role located in our Omaha, Nebraska pilot plant, focused on PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, instrumentation, electrical controls, and manufacturing equipment automation.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• •Conduct daily setup and teardown of pilot plant equipment to assist with product development trials
• •Assist with Pilot plant compliance including annual calibration, LOTO review and fire suppression system inspection to name a few.
• •Provide daily automation and controls support to Operations, Maintenance, and Facilities teams.
• •Troubleshoot and resolve issues involving Programmable Logic Controllers, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems, Human-Machine Interfaces, instrumentation, electrical systems, and controls.
• •Develop, program, implement, and support automation projects that improve equipment performance, reliability, safety, and manufacturing efficiency.
• •Partner with site teams to establish and manage automation, electrical, and instrumentation work priorities.
• •Ensure site Information Technology and Operational Technology infrastructure, programming, controls, and equipment align with current company standards.
• •Develop and implement technical training to strengthen the capabilities of the site’s automation, electrical, and instrumentation workforce.
• •Read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams, equipment manuals, and other technical documentation.
• •Ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, and according to established quality standards.
• •Follow and reinforce site safety, environmental, electrical safety, and Good Manufacturing Practices requirements.
• •Provide off-hours technical support when needed.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• •Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Automation, Controls, Information Technology, Computer Programming, or a related technical field preferred.
• •3+ years of PLC and SCADA programming experience, with hands-on experience supporting industrial automation and electrical systems.
• •Experience troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, servo controllers, VFDs, sensors, process instrumentation, and electrical/electronic components.
• •Strong technical troubleshooting skills, including applying engineering principles to resolve complex manufacturing, process, and equipment issues.
• •Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, P&IDs, safety documentation, and equipment manuals.
• •Strong communication and problem-solving skills with the ability to partner across Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, IT, and other plant functions.
• •Experience in a manufacturing or process environment preferred, including regulated operations such as FDA, USDA, GMP, or PSM environments.
• •Experience supporting industrial IT/OT infrastructure and automation system standards preferred.
• •Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard computer applications.

Physical Requirements

More information about essential tasks and the facility will be shared during the hiring process. This role may require you to be in our manufacturing facilities. When visiting these sites, the physical requirements below may apply:

• •You may be required to walk around the facility, climb stairs/ladders, kneel, or perform repetitive tasks that require hand-eye coordination.
• •You may be required to lift or carry materials that can vary in weight and size.
• •This is a manufacturing environment with large, moving equipment. Noise levels can be high, and temperatures may vary.

• #LI-Onsite
• #LI-MH1
• #LI-Associate

Compensation

Pay Range:$64,000-$95,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity. Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement

Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan

Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement

Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We're in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.