Controls Engineer

RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is accountable for the control and electrical engineering development and execution of equipment design and engineering assignments of moderate to high complexity for our production operations. The assignments range from new equipment design and development, to managing the activity of contractors to meet customer needs. Projects generally support process automation implementation, capacity expansion, and new product initiatives. This position also supervises hourly technicians in their assignments and may be assigned to supervise a staff level engineer.

The person in this position is responsible for:

• Leading a project team that is varied in function and perspective to deliver moderate to highly complex process, machine, or system designs that are processing equipment in nature. The results must be in alignment with functional, sanitary, ergonomic, cost and maintainability objectives.
• Effectively utilizing machine design software and tools available to make machines function as required per project requirements.
• Leading the efforts to ensure an effective transfer of ownership of projects to the plant customer. This includes manuals and documentation; training of operations, maintenance, and sanitation personnel; and any other appropriate items the customer will need to fully own and operate the delivered equipment.
• Ensuring that all legal, regulatory, and internal requirements are adhered to during the project development and execution process.
• Documenting the design process in a way that aligns with the requirements of our Legal Department as necessary.
• Leading, training, developing, and supporting the efforts of contract designers, senior programming technicians, engineering technicians; and possibly an entry level salaried engineer.
• Developing and leading continuous improvement initiatives that make the Engineering R&D team more effective and efficient.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Required

• Highly developed skills with currently utilized electrical / controls engineering tools. Examples include Rockwell Automation design suites and AutoCad.
• Proven ability to learn to lead a project in a diverse team environment using generally accepted project management best practices.
• Ability to lead projects through Hormel Foods' project management processes.
• A strong pattern of initiative, innovation, and creativity.
• Proven team leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Well-developed organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize and balance many tasks simultaneously.
• Previously obtained CMRP (Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional) or ability to achieve certification in 18 months or less.
• Ability to travel approximately 25% of the time.
• Must be a Citizen or National of the United States, a lawful, permanent resident, or have authorization to work in the United States.
• Applicants must not now, or any time in the future, require sponsorship for an employment visa.

Preferred

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or another technical field.
• Previous experience as a machine controls engineer or in machine development in the food industry.
• Experience with HMI development, PLC/PAC programming, Multi-Axis servo motion control, and machine vision.
• Two years experience managing a team of direct reports.

LOCATION: Hayward, MN

TRAVEL: Up to 25%