Senior Regional Controls Engineer

Within our Corporate Continuous Improvement team - Leprino is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer (Eastern Region) based in Allendale, Michigan to serve as a key automation and controls resource supporting multiple manufacturing facilities across the region. This role focuses on PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, and process control systems, helping plants improve reliability, troubleshoot complex automation challenges, support system upgrades, and strengthen operational performance.

The Senior Controls Engineer partners closely with plant engineering, maintenance, operations, and technical teams to standardize controls solutions and support continuous improvement initiatives across the manufacturing network.

What You'll Do:

* Build, modify, and support PLC, HMI, SCADA, and manufacturing control systems that improve reliability, quality, and operational performance across Leprino's domestic facilities.

* Troubleshoot automation, instrumentation, and process control issues while partnering with plant engineering, maintenance, and operations teams to restore performance efficiently.

* Program and document Control Logix PLCs, HMIs, and related control platforms using clear, maintainable standards.

* Support the deployment, startup, validation, and long-term support of automation systems, instrumentation, and process equipment.

* Develop integration solutions between manufacturing systems, process equipment, and plant automation platforms.

* Assist with capital projects by providing controls engineering guidance during design reviews, installation, startup, and system enhancements.

* Support plant initiatives focused on process improvement, loss reduction, equipment performance, and automation upgrades.

* Mentor engineers, technicians, and plant personnel on controls systems, troubleshooting methods, and automation standard practices.

* Create technical documentation, programming standards, training materials, and system support resources that strengthen consistency across facilities.

* Stay current on emerging automation technologies, industrial networks, instrumentation, and control system platforms to identify opportunities for improvement.

* Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support strategic manufacturing initiatives and automation projects throughout the organization.

* Serve as a controls engineering resource for manufacturing facilities across Leprino's Eastern Region, supporting automation reliability, system enhancements, and technical problem-solving.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

* A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field; or equivalent relevant industry experience.

* A minimum of five years of experience with PLC/SCADA integration, including Control Logix PLC programming and/or Wonderware System Platform, InTouch, MES Operations, or related industrial automation platforms.

* Experience troubleshooting and supporting industrial control systems, instrumentation, and manufacturing automation equipment.

* Experience working with industrial automation networks such as Ethernet/IP, Control Net, Device Net, or comparable communication platforms.

* Experience with instrumentation including flow meters, pressure sensors, level sensors, temperature probes, VFDs, and motor control systems.

* The ability to travel up to 33% to support projects and manufacturing facilities across the United States.

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

* A Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related engineering field.

* Experience supporting automation systems within food, dairy, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or other process manufacturing environments.

* Experience developing standards, training materials, or technical documentation for automation and control systems.

* Experience supporting robotic systems, advanced process controls, MES, or plant-wide SCADA platforms.

* Experience providing technical mentorship to engineers, technicians, or plant operations teams.

* Experience supporting equipment startups,…