Automation Engineer

Position

Automation Engineer

Junior (1–2 years experience)

Hugoton, Kansas, USA

Fully On-Site

Flora Food Group

We are establishing a new dairy manufacturing facility in Hugoton, Kansas, producing processed milk, creamers, and cream cheeses across process, utilities, filling, and packaging operations. This is a greenfield opportunity to build the site’s automation function from the ground up.

As an Automation Engineer, you will be one of two automation professionals responsible for the entire automation and controls landscape at the site. You will be expected to take real ownership from day one. This is a hands‑on role with a strong focus on fault finding, troubleshooting, and maintaining the reliability of all automation systems. You will program PLCs, manage SCADA and server infrastructure, and keep production running.

You will work alongside a senior automation engineer and collaborate with operations, maintenance, and global teams.

• Own first‑line response for automation‑related faults across process, utilities, filling, and packaging areas.
• Diagnose and resolve PLC, HMI, and SCADA faults on the Rockwell Automation platform (Control Logix, Compact Logix, Factory Talk View, Factory Talk Optix).
• Troubleshoot industrial network issues across Ethernet/IP, TCP/IP, and Profinet protocols.
• Resolve issues on virtualization platforms (Hyper‑V, VMware ESXi) and Windows Server environments.
• Maintain detailed records of faults, resolutions, and recurring issues to support continuous improvement.

• Program, configure, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems on the Rockwell Automation platform.
• Maintain and modify control logic for pasteurization, separation, homogenization, batching, filling, CIP/SIP systems, and utility systems.
• Manage system backups, version control (Rockwell Asset Centre), and documentation updates.
• Maintain and support the Rockwell Automation portfolio at the site including firmware updates, licensing, and patching.
• Configure and maintain industrial network infrastructure.
• Manage and maintain virtualization hosts and Windows Server environments supporting automation applications.

• Execute preventive maintenance activities on all automation and control system assets, including PLCs, HMI terminals, SCADA servers, network switches, and virtualization hosts.
• Perform corrective maintenance and fault resolution to minimize production downtime.
• Monitor automation asset health and flag end‑of‑life or degradation concerns.
• Maintain spare parts inventory for critical automation components.

• Provide hands‑on support to operations and maintenance teams during production.
• Participate in root cause analyses (RCA) and Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Support commissioning, startup, and validation activities for new equipment and process lines.
• Ensure all automation changes follow plant change‑control procedures.

• Support compliance of control systems with regulatory and industry standards (FDA, PMO, OSHA, NFPA, 3‑A Sanitary Standards).
• Maintain safety interlocks, alarms, and emergency‑stop systems.
• Support quality and food safety initiatives, including traceability, batch control, and audit readiness.

• Identify opportunities to improve automation reliability and reduce downtime.
• Support digital transformation initiatives including data historians and MES.
• Collaborate with global engineering and global IT teams as required.
• Actively develop technical skills and automation expertise through hands‑on experience and training.

• Tertiary qualification in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, Control Systems, or a related technical discipline.
• 0–2 years of experience in automation, controls, or a related engineering role (internships and co‑ops count).
• Foundational knowledge of PLC and HMI programming, preferably on the Rockwell Automation platform.
• Basic understanding of industrial networking protocols including Ethernet/IP,…