Remote - Staff Controls Engineer

The Hershey Company is seeking a Staff Controls Engineer to lead the development and implementation of control systems for their Salty Snacks Engineering group. The role involves managing complex capital projects, guiding teams in digital manufacturing applications, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Responsibilities:

• Leads the development/assessment of state-of-the-art control systems suitable for a food manufacturing facility that meet project requirements and business objectives
• Leads selection, design, installation and commissioning of control systems and automated equipment in the execution of capital projects, meeting budget, schedule, and scope
• Identifies opportunities for digital manufacturing applications, guiding project teams, and assessing new technologies for performance improvements and business value
• Manages large and/or complex capital projects, including cost, schedule, and resources (internal and contract)
• Problem solving through application of experience, research, and critical thinking
• Strong technical expertise in manufacturing automation systems and components
• Strong understanding of Hershey processes, equipment, and regulatory requirements
• Effective communicator with multifunctional team members and Hershey management
• Leads multifunctional teams in the development of capital projects, preparing manufacturing feasibility assessments and capital cost estimates for multiple capital projects
• Evaluate new technologies
• Proficient in the use and application of Hershey Engineering Standards and relevant industry standards
• Proven capability to apply applicable control system technologies, programming methods, instrumentation and other processes that benefit Hershey capital project requirements and business objectives
• Leads the design of process control systems and evaluation/selection of packaging and process equipment control systems suitable for implementation in a food manufacturing facility and within the project scope, budget, and timeline
• Ensure network infrastructure, machinery networks, and installations are in conformance with the Hershey Industrial Control Network guidelines and cybersecurity policies
• Prepares electrical schematics, bid specifications for processes, equipment, equipment installation, electrical distribution infrastructure and industrial control network infrastructure
• Oversees the controls portion of installation, checkout and startup of processes and equipment, managing cost, schedule, and resources (internal and external) in a multifunctional team environment
• Lead process and packaging controls optimization during startup and early production
• Lead digital transformation initiatives on the factory floor, driving adoption of new technologies and continuous improvement
• Ensures network infrastructure and machinery networks conform to industrial control network guidelines and cybersecurity policies
• Hone control system troubleshooting skills for processes and equipment
• Communicate with and train manufacturing personnel including operators and supervisors in operations of implemented control systems
• Communicate with and train maintenance and specialist personnel in the technical details of implemented control systems
• Mentors and guides less experienced controls engineers and co-ops/interns in engineering projects
• Provides training to others for the Skills Diversification program

Requirements:

• Proven capability to demonstrate and apply, as well as develop and share, technical expertise within their functional area and cross-functionally within the organization
• Familiarity with agile software development methodologies and digital solution deployment
• Proven problem-solving skills and possess the ability to think critically
• Capability to communicate technical subject matter, written and verbally, cross functionally with their manager
• Proven capability to communicate complex or technical subject matter, both written and verbally, to audiences at all levels of the organization
• Proven capability to influence stakeholders and leverage personal networks to provide engineering solutions
• Strong technical expertise in manufacturing automation systems and components
• Strong understanding of Hershey processes, equipment, and regulatory requirements
• Effective communicator with multifunctional team members and Hershey management
• Proficient in the use and application of Hershey Engineering Standards and relevant industry standards
• Proven capability to apply applicable control system technologies, programming methods, instrumentation and other processes that benefit Hershey capital project requirements and business objectives
• Expert in the application and programming of PLCs/PACs, Rockwell and Siemens preferred
• Demonstrated knowledge in the application and programming of motion control systems, Rockwell and Siemens preferred
• Expert in the application and configuration of HMI/SCADA systems, FactoryTalk SE/ME and Ignition preferred
• Proven experience implementing and supporting digital manufacturing systems such as digital automation, MES, IIOT, data analytics and integration of IT.OT systems
• Expert in the application of common process instrumentation (temperature, level, pressure, flow, mass)
• Advanced knowledge of regulatory requirements for electrical installations
• Experience in developing electrical schematics, P&IDs, control system design, and project estimation is required
• Experience in developing, specifying, and installing 480 VAC, 120 VAC, and 24 VDC power systems is required
• Experience in basic ethernet network architectures and device configuration
• Technical Troubleshooting skills, including hands-on problem-solving experience focusing on detailed problem resolution and documentation
• Demonstrated leadership and decision-making skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Must be open to and comfortable with change
• Must be able to execute projects to a defined schedule and budget
• Open to travel (including International) based on assignment (>30%)
• Education and Experience: BS in Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related Engineering Field
• Minimum 5 years of experience in controls engineering for Food Processing, Confectionery, Pharmaceutical or related industries
• Salty Snacks, Confectionary, Food, Consumer Goods or Pharmaceutical experience is desirable
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience that is required to design, specify, estimate, install, configure, program, troubleshoot and maintain state of the art control systems for discrete, batch and continuous process systems
• Experience with the Redzone connected workforce application