Sr. Automation Engineer

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers. With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife's portfolio of delicious, lactose‑free, real dairy products includes fairlife ultra‑filtered milk;
Core Power High Protein Shakes; fairlife nutrition plan.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca‑Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry‑leading innovation.

The Automation Project Manager serves as the technical leader responsible for driving the design, development, and deployment of advanced manufacturing automation and OT (Operational Technology) systems. This role focuses heavily on engineering and technology integration, ensuring robust, secure, and scalable automation solutions across multiple sites. The position requires strong technical expertise in industrial controls, networked OT environments, automation platforms, and system interoperability to deliver high‑performance manufacturing solutions.

While the role involves coordination of execution activities, its core focus is providing technical direction, ensuring engineering excellence, and leading automation design from concept through implementation.

• Develop and manage detailed automation project plans, including scope, objectives, schedules, and deliverables.
• Lead cross‑functional teams to ensure projects meet timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Identify and mitigate risks, resolve roadblocks, and ensure smooth project execution.
• Align project goals with stakeholder expectations through effective collaboration and communication.
• Oversee integration of engineering systems, automation technologies, and operational processes.
• Provide technical leadership in automation design, development, and implementation.
• Manage software development efforts including custom applications, code reviews, and QA.
• Build vendor relationships to identify innovations and optimize technologies.
• Qualify contractors, manage cost forecasts, and accelerate schedules as needed.
• Define and enforce commissioning, qualification, and validation standards via vendor agreements.

• 10+ years in dairy/beverage industry, including 7+ years in automation project management.
• Strong leadership, team‑building, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Proven expertise in project management, cost forecasting, and construction standards.
• Ability to manage complex, multi‑stream projects with tight timelines.
• Proficiency in SharePoint, PMO 365, and Office 365 for project tracking and reporting.
• Experience with automation platforms (Ignition, Control Logix, FT View, FT Historian, etc.).
• Skilled in interpreting and updating engineering drawings (CAD/Solid Works preferred).
• Required experience with aseptic/dairy systems (UHTs, homogenizers, valves, pumps, etc.).

Location: Goodyear, AZ

Reports to: Director of Manufacturing Automation

Travel: 40 – 50 %

Base pay: $160,000 – $175,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job‑related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email