Automation Engineer

At Danone, Manufacturing the best products and supplying them to meet demand is a key driver for our plant teams. We are currently looking to hire an Automation Engineer based in our West Jordan, Utah yogurt manufacturing facility.

Position Summary:

This exempt position reports to the Automation Engineering Manager and plays a critical role in enhancing the safety, efficiency, and reliability of plant systems and equipment. The role is responsible for analyzing current processes and leading all phases of continuous improvement—including structural, mechanical, controls, and automation systems. The Automation engineer will evaluate and implement process improvements, oversee modifications, and ensure compliance with company automation standards, Asset Centre protocols, and cybersecurity requirements.

This position also supports instrumentation and metrology design, calibration, and documentation. In addition, the engineer will provide training on both new and existing systems and collaborate closely with internal teams and external OEM contractors to ensure successful project execution. This position requires on-call availability and a proactive approach to driving innovation and operational excellence across the facility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage improvement projects across all plant areas, prioritizing based on manpower, technical feasibility, and production needs.
• Engage with OEM contractors for quoting, project execution, and compliance with company automation standards and cybersecurity protocols.
• Perform software upgrades and maintain automation documentation and specifications.
• Design and implement control systems, including hardware and software integration.
• Research, evaluate, and select appropriate equipment and instrumentation.
• Develop and deliver training programs for new, modified, and existing systems.
• Ensure successful integration of Automation processes into the overall organization.
• Establish and promote best practices and benchmarks for maintenance and automation.
• Define and track Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure progress and impact.
• Mentor and develop team members through structured training and progression plans.
• Foster strategic partnerships with internal departments and third-party vendors.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to improve plant performance and reliability.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Ensure the maintenance and operation of the equipment, systems, and processes for the overall facility meet compliance standards of all external regulatory agencies to include: PMO, OSHA, EPA, FDA and all other applicable regulations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Demands:

• While performing duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; stoop; kneel; crouch; crawl; taste and/or smell, talk and hear.
• Ability to bend & stoop at waist level as well as bend & twist neck and head.
• The employee must regularly endure repetitive minimal to moderate lifting 10lbs up to 50lbs and occasional team lifting above 50lbs. Requires normal range of hearing and vision (including colors) to record, prepare and communicate appropriate reports and results.
• Occasionally you may need to climb stairs, step ladders, stool.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. The employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and may be exposed to loud noises in the plant. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to extreme cold, risk of electrical shock and vibration

Danone North America additionally offers a performance-based bonus…