Senior Controls and Automation Engineer

About ABARTA

ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages is a family-owned company committed to being a visible, engaged partner to the customers and communities we serve. We value diversity and individuality and when you thrive, we thrive. ABARTA offers the perks of a large corporation with the personalized touch of a smaller company. We are a workplace that encourages sharing ideas in a supportive environment, growing professionally, maintaining a healthy work/life balance, and interacting with all levels of the organization. We would love for you to become a part of our family to help make our vision of Quenching the Thirst of Our Neighbors a reality!

Summary

The Senior Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, development, implementation, and support of industrial control systems for beverage manufacturing facilities and automated warehouse operations. This role provides technical leadership for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial network systems, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of high-speed production and material handling systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and development of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for beverage production lines, packaging equipment, and warehouse automation systems.

• Develop and maintain control architectures for conveyors, sortation systems, palletizers, depalletizers, and robotic systems.
• Program, test, and commission PLCs (e.g., Rockwell Automation, Siemens) and HMIs to meet functional, safety, and performance requirements.
• Integrate controls with MES, WMS, ERP, and data historians to support production reporting, traceability, and OEE initiatives.
• Provide technical leadership during system commissioning, site acceptance testing (SAT), and start-up activities.
• Troubleshoot complex control system issues to minimize downtime and improve system reliability.
• Develop and enforce controls standards, best practices, and documentation including functional specifications, I/O lists, cabinet schematics and network diagrams.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, IT, operations, and maintenance teams to deliver integrated automation solutions.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, throughput, and energy efficiency.
• Provide oversight and technical guidance to third party controls engineers and technicians.

Qualifications

• EDUCATION:  Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field.

• EXPERIENCE:  
  • 8+ years of experience in industrial automation, preferably within beverage, food & beverage, or high-speed consumer goods manufacturing.
  • Experience with Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PLC5, SLC500) PLCs, PanelView/PanelviewPlus HMIs, Industrial Communication Networks (Ethernet, Ethernet I/P, DeviceNet, DH+)
  • Strong proficiency in PLC programming (Rockwell Automation ControlLogix / CompactLogix).
  • Hands-on experience with HMI and SCADA platforms (e.g., Ignition).
  • Demonstrated experience supporting automated warehouse and material handling systems. (e.g., Vertique automated case-picking systems).
  • Strong troubleshooting skills in live production environments.
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control system documentation.
  • Willingness to travel up to 25% for project support and commissioning.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

•  Experience with beverage filling, labeling, packaging, and palletizing systems.
• Knowledge of functional safety standards (e.g., ANSI, NFPA, IEC) and safety PLCs.
• Experience with robotics.
• Familiarity with batch control (ISA-88) and manufacturing data systems.
• Experience leading automation projects from concept through commissioning.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification preferred.

Additional Information

ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages, LLC requires all applicants to undergo a background verification process prior to commencing employment with the company.  Employment with ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages is contingent on the satisfactory completion of a pre-employment background check which may include drug screening.  Background verifications will be evaluated according to ABARTA Coca-Cola Beverages guidelines to determine eligibility for this position.