Senior Controls & Automation Engineer | PLC + Panel Design | Totowa NJ, 2nd Shift

Job Overview

Pave Talent is recruiting on behalf of a privately held, family‑owned food manufacturer in Totowa, NJ. The company has doubled its production capacity in three years and is investing heavily in robotics and next‑generation automation. As the senior controls and automation engineer on second shift (3:00 PM to 12:00 AM), you will keep production running while driving projects that design electrical control panels, write PLC code from scratch, and stand up new automation.

You report to the Engineering Manager and will partner with the first‑shift engineering team on cross‑shift projects and clean handoffs. The role requires deep electrical and programming knowledge, self‑starting initiative, and a capacity to run a shift independently.

• Design and build electrical control panels for capital projects, from layout and component selection through schematics (AutoCAD Electrical or similar).
• Write and commission PLC code from scratch on Rockwell Studio 5000 and Control Logix, not just modify existing code.
• Lead controls and automation upgrades for production equipment and a plant‑wide automated transport system rewrite.
• Run the floor on second shift: troubleshoot VFDs, burner controllers, conveyors, point‑level sensors, operator interfaces, and networking, and resolve issues independently.
• Drive the HMI migration from Factory Talk View SE to Ignition Perspective and the ongoing ISA‑101 standardization.
• Support a growing robotics and end‑of‑line automation roadmap, including the new robotic palletizer and upcoming vision inspection.
• Integrate automation systems with the company's Plex ERP platform.
• Partner with the first‑shift engineering team on cross‑shift projects and clean handoffs.
• Provide on‑call coverage as part of the job, occasionally covering weekends, with time back and no overtime pay.

• 3 to 5+ years in controls or automation engineering at a manufacturer, system integrator, or machine builder.
• PLC programming from scratch on Rockwell Studio 5000 and Control Logix.
• Electrical depth: design control panels, read and trace electrical and safety schematics on the floor, and size control or motor circuits.
• Self‑starter who can run a shift unguided.
• Ability to speak about own project work with specifics: platform, application, and what you personally built.
• Authorized to work in the US without sponsorship, and able to work fully on‑site in Totowa, NJ.
• Ignition Perspective, or other SCADA experience.
• AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN for panel and schematic design.
• Machine safety: safety relays, Guard Master or Guard Logix, Safe Torque Off.
• VFD configuration and commissioning (Allen‑Bradley Power Flex or similar).
• ERP integration experience (Plex or similar).
• Bilingual English and Spanish is a plus for second shift, not required.

Second shift, 3:00 PM to 12:00 AM. You own the floor and have full decision‑making authority during your shift, away from interruptions and with minimal meetings.

On‑call coverage happens occasionally. When covering a weekend, you receive that time back. There is no overtime pay; the schedule is flexible, but you gain ownership and visibility.