SunOpta · 5 hours ago
Controls Engineer
Allentown, PA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expSunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers. The Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, documentation, maintenance, and support of manufacturing automation and control systems across various operations, ensuring compliance and improving operational efficiency.
BiotechnologyFood and BeverageFood ProcessingManufacturingPlant-Based FoodsWeb Design
Responsibilities
Develop, implement, and maintain standardized automation and electrical engineering practices
Design, program, test, document, and support PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, with primary emphasis on Rockwell Automation / FactoryTalk, while supporting other industrial automation platforms as required
Configure, integrate, and support process control systems for process, utilities, and packaging operations
Develop and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for new or modified automation systems
Develop and maintain control narratives, functional specifications, PLC control system architecture, and reusable PLC standards, including Add-On Instructions (AOIs)
Implement and support advanced control strategies, including PID tuning, alarm management, and operator interface optimization
Specify, integrate, and troubleshoot field instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, conductivity, pH, etc.) using best practices aligned with IEEE and IEC standards
Support calibration activities and coordinate with third-party calibration services in accordance with company standards
Integrate, configure, and tune VFD and servo motion systems, supporting reliable process control and equipment protection
Support and troubleshoot industrial control and PC-based networks, including EtherNet/IP, TCP/IP, and Modbus (legacy DeviceNet exposure a plus)
Provide automation and controls expertise in support of maintenance and reliability programs, contributing to asset performance and lifecycle objectives
Ensure automation systems and work practices comply with OSHA, NEC, NFPA 70E, GMP, food safety, and company electrical safety standards
Participate in and enforce Management of Change (MOC) processes, including Automation Change Control (ACC) for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and control system modifications
Serve as a safety role model, promoting safe work practices and continuous improvement in electrical and automation safety
Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Engineering, IT, and Corporate Engineering to resolve process, equipment, and system issues
Communicate automation system changes, capabilities, and impacts to affected stakeholders, and provide technical training and guidance to Control Technicians, Maintenance, and other technical services departments
Act as the plant-level technical escalation point for automation-related issues, with clear escalation paths to Corporate Engineering for complex or enterprise-impacting matters
Perform other related duties as assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's or Associate degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
5+ years of applied industrial automation and controls experience in a manufacturing environment
Strong experience with Rockwell Automation platforms, including ControlLogix / CompactLogix PLCs, FactoryTalk View HMI/SCADA, and Studio 5000 (legacy SLC500 / MicroLogix exposure a plus)
Proven experience with PLC programming, Add-On Instruction (AOI) development, commissioning, and troubleshooting of manufacturing automation systems
Experience integrating and supporting motor control systems, including VFDs and servo drives
Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot automation systems from field instrumentation through control logic and operator interfaces
Experience in food, beverage, or aseptic manufacturing environments, including exposure to Tetra Pak processing or packaging equipment
Working knowledge of industrial electrical safety practices, including OSHA and NFPA 70E compliance
Preferred
Experience in aseptic, dairy, or high-speed beverage manufacturing environments
Familiarity with CIP systems, validation documentation, and regulated manufacturing requirements
Exposure to industrial networking and PC-based networking technologies
Experience supporting capital projects, equipment upgrades, and system migrations
Working knowledge of SQL Server or other relational databases in support of manufacturing systems
Knowledge of Lean / TPM manufacturing principles
Strong organizational, prioritization, and communication skills
Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure
Company
SunOpta
SunOpta specializes in the design, construction, ownership, and operation of biomass conversion equipment and facilities. It is a sub-organization of SunOpta.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
SunOpta has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2023 (2)
2022 (1)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$393.45MKey Investors
Oaktree Capital Management
2023-12-13Post Ipo Debt· $196.15M
2023-03-17Post Ipo Equity· $52.31M
2022-10-13Acquired
Leadership Team
Scott Huckins
Chief Financial Officer
Chad Hagen
Chief Customer Officer
Recent News
Benzinga.com
2025-11-28
Company data provided by crunchbase