Controls Engineer

Job Description

Overview

At The Marzetti Company, our mission is to make every meal better through high-quality, flavorful food. The Automation & Controls Engineer is a hands-on technical resource responsible for the reliability, improvement, integration, and cybersecurity of automation systems across food processing, packaging, plant utilities, and facility infrastructure.

Working with a high degree of independence, this role supports day-to-day production, resolves complex controls issues, modernizes legacy systems, and delivers automation projects that improve safety, food quality, throughput, equipment uptime, and the operator experience. The engineer partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality and Food Safety, Continuous Improvement, Information Technology, and external OEMs and system integrators.

Technology Environment:

• PLC and machine control: Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix using Studio 5000; additional platforms may include ABB, Bosch Rexroth, Mitsubishi, Omron, and Siemens.

• Visualization and manufacturing systems: Ignition SCADA and historian capabilities, FactoryTalk View, ThinManager, and manufacturing execution systems (MES).

• Connectivity and data: EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, Modbus TCP/RTU, MQTT, Profibus, IO-Link, Microsoft SQL Server, database interfaces, and Python scripting.

• OT infrastructure: Managed industrial switches, VLANs, segmented OT networks, firewall rules, Claroty xDome Secure Access for secure remote access, role-based access control, and Purdue Model/five-layer OT architecture.

• Plant systems: Processing and packaging equipment, robotics, servo and motion systems, VFDs, instrumentation, building management systems, and plant utility systems.

Responsibilities → What You'll Do

Automation & Controls Engineering

• Program, troubleshoot, maintain, and optimize PLC-based control systems, with primary emphasis on Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms using Studio 5000.

• Support and troubleshoot other controls platforms deployed within the facility, which may include ABB, Bosch Rexroth, Mitsubishi, Omron, and Siemens systems.

• Develop, maintain, and improve SCADA/HMI applications using Ignition and FactoryTalk, including tag structures, alarms, trends, historian data, reports, recipes, security roles, and operator interfaces.

• Identify and execute PLC, HMI, SCADA, historian, and controls-infrastructure improvements, upgrades, migrations, obsolescence-risk mitigation, and standardization initiatives.

• Troubleshoot VFDs, servo and motion systems, instrumentation, remote I/O, industrial robots, safety systems, and machine-to-machine communications.

• Maintain accurate controls documentation, including software backups, change records, I/O lists, control narratives, network diagrams, wiring schematics, and operating or troubleshooting procedures.

OT Networks, Cybersecurity & System Integration

• Partner with Information Technology and OT cybersecurity teams to support the design, documentation, implementation, and ongoing improvement of segmented OT networks aligned with the Purdue Model and a five-layer manufacturing technology stack.

• Support managed industrial Ethernet switches, VLANs, IP addressing, network paths, and device communications; partner with IT to coordinate firewall-rule changes, Claroty xDome Secure Access, and secure connectivity for internal and third-party users.

• Implement and maintain role-based access, least-privilege permissions, user groups, and account governance across PLC, SCADA, ThinManager, historian, MES, server, and network environments.

• Integrate OEM equipment, sensors, PLCs, SCADA, MES, historians, databases, and enterprise systems using EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, serial or gateway communications, and other appropriate protocols.

• Support MQTT and edge-connectivity solutions, including broker connectivity, topic or namespace design, reliable data transfer, and plant-floor-to-enterprise integration.

• Configure and support Microsoft SQL Server connections, tables, queries, views, and data flows; develop Python scripts for data collection, diagnostics, reporting, configuration, and repetitive engineering tasks.

Reliability, Operational Support & Continuous Improvement

• Provide responsive technical support to Maintenance and Operations, taking ownership of control-system problems through containment, diagnosis, corrective action, and verified resolution.

• Lead or participate in root cause analysis for recurring failures, production losses, quality events, and communication issues; translate findings into sustainable system improvements.

• Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, reliability, throughput, OEE, product quality, waste, ergonomics, maintainability, and operator experience.

• Lead or support capital and continuous-improvement projects, including requirements development, controls specifications, vendor design reviews, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, startup, validation, and handoff to Operations and Maintenance.

• Interface with machine builders, OEMs, system integrators, and controls vendors to define, design, implement, troubleshoot, and improve equipment and processes.

• Support automation and data integration for processing, packaging, building management, refrigeration, compressed air, steam, chilled water, process water, wastewater, electrical monitoring, and other plant utility systems.

Governance, Safety, Food Quality & Standards

• Ensure automation solutions support employee safety, food safety, product quality, regulatory requirements, sanitation practices, GMPs, and company standards.

• Follow disciplined change-management, testing, backup, restore, version-control, and disaster-recovery practices for control-system modifications.

• Contribute to the development and enforcement of automation standards, code libraries, naming conventions, HMI design practices, network standards, cybersecurity controls, and documentation requirements.

• Maintain awareness of OT asset condition, lifecycle risk, vulnerabilities, and critical spares; recommend practical risk-reduction and modernization plans.

• Coach and train technicians, operators, and engineering partners on controls functionality, safe troubleshooting practices, and effective use of automation systems.

TMZ23

Qualifications → What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, or a related field; equivalent relevant experience will be considered.

• Demonstrated automation and controls experience in a manufacturing environment, supporting production equipment and plant operations.

• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation ControlLogix or CompactLogix PLCs and Studio 5000 Logix Designer.

• Experience developing, maintaining, or troubleshooting SCADA/HMI systems using Ignition, FactoryTalk, or a comparable industrial platform.

• Strong troubleshooting capability across PLC logic, industrial networks, VFDs, servo or motion systems, instrumentation, I/O, and production equipment.

• Working knowledge of industrial communications and device integration, including EtherNet/IP and at least one of OPC, Modbus, MQTT, Profibus, or a comparable protocol.

• Ability to read and use electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, network drawings, equipment manuals, and technical specifications.

• Strong problem-solving, communication, documentation, project ownership, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Ability to work safely and effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and provide flexible support for a 24/7 operation.

About Us

The Marzetti Company (Nasdaq: MZTI) manufactures and sells specialty food products. Our retail brands include Marzetti® dressings and dips, New York Bakery™ garlic breads, and Sister Schubert’s® dinner rolls, in addition to exclusive license agreements for Olive Garden® dressings, Chick-fil-A® sauces and dressings, Buffalo Wild Wings® sauces, Arby’s® sauces, Subway® sauces, and Texas Roadhouse® steak sauces and frozen rolls. Our foodservice business supplies sauces, dressings, breads, and pasta to many of the top restaurant chains in the United States.

At Marzetti, our mission is to make every meal better through high-quality, flavorful food. Led by our purpose, to nourish growth with all that we do, our team members are dedicate