Automation Controls Engineer (Food Manufacturing)

Job Description

Reporting to the Engineering Manager at our Imlay City, Michigan manufacturing facility, you will serve as a technical leader for our automation systems, driving operational reliability, standardization, and continuous improvement across manufacturing and facilities while advancing site automation capability and workforce technical depth.

Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Provide daily, hands‑on automation support to Operations and Facilities teams to sustain safe, stable, and efficient manufacturing performance.

• Lead and execute automation‑related capital and improvement projects, including system design, programming, testing, commissioning, and lifecycle support.

• Design, develop, and implement structured training programs to strengthen the technical capability of the automation engineering and integration workforce.

• Align site information technology and operational technology infrastructure, control programming, and automation equipment with established company standards and architectures.

• Participate in Production Cell Daily Direction Setting meetings, contributing automation insight to drive performance and issue resolution.

• Serve as an active contributor to site Early Management or Preventive Maintenance pillar teams.

• Partner with the Early Management pillar team to support the site equipment obsolescence plan and long‑term automation strategy.

• Enforce site safety, environmental, and good manufacturing practice requirements in all automation activities.

• Ensure automation work is executed safely, efficiently, and to a high standard of technical quality.

• Communicate technical information clearly and effectively with cross‑functional partners, vendors, and leadership.

• Flex work hours, including providing off‑hours support, to ensure reliable operation of critical automation systems.

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor of Science degree in a related technical field such as engineering, electronics, or programming

• Experience working in a regulated manufacturing environment governed by organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, or process safety management requirements.

• 3+ years experience in manufacturing or process engineering environments.

• 3+ years of experience programming logic and supervisory controllers and data acquisition systems in an industrial environment.

• Strong communication skills when collaborating with individuals inside and outside the organization.

• Experience presenting technical information to employee groups or external audiences.

• Experience reading and interpreting safety rules, blueprints, electrical schematics, piping and instrumentation diagrams, and equipment manuals.

• Technical knowledge of automation components such as human machine interfaces, servo controllers, variable frequency drives, sensors, and process instrumentation.

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.

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Compensation

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.