Senior Global Automation & Technology Engineer

When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that’s sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

Lead the qualification and deployment of controls, robotics, machine vision, inspection, and automation technologies supporting processing, packaging, and end-of-line operations.

This role serves as the technical authority for automation architecture, machine safety, controls integration, and regulatory compliance.

The role will also support strategic technology collaboration between U.S. and China operations. Working closely with WH Group engineering, automation, and operations teams, this position will identify proven automation technologies and best practices currently deployed within China facilities and evaluate their applicability for U.S. operations. The position will also collaborate with global equipment manufacturers and technology developers to develop, pilot, and scale innovative automation, robotics, inspection, and digital manufacturing solutions.

Lead the development, review, and standardization of controls architectures, PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, data collection platforms, and enterprise automation standards across global operations.

Lead qualification, validation, and acceptance testing of automation, robotics, machine vision, inspection technologies, and advanced manufacturing systems to ensure performance, integration, operational readiness, and regulatory compliance.

Conduct machine safety assessments and controls reviews to ensure compliance with OSHA, ANSI, RIA, NFPA, UL, electrical codes, and corporate safety standards while identifying and mitigating technical risks.

Partner with U.China, and WH Group engineering teams to evaluate, transfer, adapt, and standardize proven automation technologies, best practices, and manufacturing solutions across facilities.

Collaborate with OEMs, technology developers, and internal stakeholders to develop and implement next-generation automation, robotics, machine vision, AI-enabled inspection, and digital manufacturing technologies.

Evaluate and qualify processing controls, packaging systems, robotics, machine vision, X-ray, metal detection, check weighing, traceability, and end-of-line automation solutions for operational effectiveness and scalability.

Conduct supplier audits, factory evaluations, equipment reviews, and system validation activities to identify safety, reliability, compliance, and integration risks early in the project lifecycle.

Serve as the controls, automation, or engineering lead and subject matter expert for strategic capital projects, including equipment design review, U.S. compliance modifications, and implementation support.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience in industrial automation, controls, robotics, or manufacturing engineering;
Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networking, controls architecture, and machine safety systems.