SunOpta · 15 hours ago
Regional Controls and Automation Engineer
Eden Prairie, MN
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
7+ years expSunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers. The Controls Engineering Manager leads a team responsible for the design, implementation, and optimization of manufacturing automation and controls systems, ensuring operational excellence and compliance.
BiotechnologyFood and BeverageFood ProcessingManufacturingPlant-Based FoodsWeb Design
Responsibilities
Direct, coach, and mentor a team of Controls Engineers
Oversee performance management, training, and professional development
Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture aligned with SunOpta’s values
Plan, prioritize and manage automation improvement projects and capital installations
Ensure timely execution of controls systems design, programming, simulation, testing, and start-up
Oversee Factory Acceptance Testing and Provisional Acceptance Testing for new equipment
Set standards for electrical and automation engineering practices
Oversee the design, implementation, and maintenance of control systems, including PLCs, DCS, HMIs, and SCADA networks
Guide the development and validation of control system protocols
Ensure compliance with IEEE, IEC, NEC, and company standards
Serve as the plant’s subject matter expert on IT/OT convergence, ensuring alignment between control networks and corporate IT infrastructure
Partner with Production, Information Technology, Quality, Supply Chain, Warehouse, and Finance to meet operational targets
Facilitate coordination between maintenance and operations to resolve process issues
Collaborate with IT teams to implement secure connectivity solutions, network segmentation, and cybersecurity practices in the control environment
Support the integration of control data systems to Enterprise applications to enable real-time visibility and decision-making
Drive continuous improvement in process control systems, including Advanced Process Control, Alarm Management, and Operator Interface Optimization
Drive digital transformation initiatives at the plant level, including advanced analytics, predictive maintenance, and industrial IoT applications
Lead initiatives to maximize equipment efficiency, reliability, and asset life
Promote a culture of safety and ensure adherence to GMPs, food safety, and quality standards
Serve as a safety role model and champion continuous improvement in safety practices
Communicate project status, technical issues, and improvement opportunities to senior leadership
Represent the controls engineering function in cross-functional meetings and audits
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Industrial Controls, Electronics, Engineering, or related discipline or equivalent experience
7+ years of experience in industrial controls, including leadership of engineering teams
Demonstrated expertise with Allen Bradley control platforms (SLC500, ControlLogix, MicroLogix, PanelView Plus, RS Logix, RS View), Servo and VFD devices
Experience in aseptic and/or high-speed beverage manufacturing environments
Successful track record in commissioning and startup automation projects
Preferred
Master's degree in Industrial Controls, Electronics, Engineering, or related discipline
Advanced knowledge of NEC and international standards
Proficiency in designing and programming control systems (PLCs, SCADA, HMI)
Experience with SQL Server, Oracle, or other relational databases
Familiarity with thermal pasteurization and sterilization production processes and Clean In Place (CIP)
Experience with Lean Manufacturing and reliability engineering
Strong written and verbal communication skills
SQF practical experience and training
Benefits
Medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Paid Family leave
Paid maternity leave
401(k) with Match
Voluntary Life, Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital indemnity
Paid Holidays
Tuition assistance
Short-term and Long-term Disability insurance
Company
SunOpta
SunOpta specializes in the design, construction, ownership, and operation of biomass conversion equipment and facilities. It is a sub-organization of SunOpta.
1001-5000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
SunOpta has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2023 (2)
2022 (1)
2020 (2)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$393.45MKey Investors
Oaktree Capital Management
2023-12-13Post Ipo Debt· $196.15M
2023-03-17Post Ipo Equity· $52.31M
2022-10-13Acquired
Leadership Team
Scott Huckins
Chief Financial Officer
Chad Hagen
Chief Customer Officer
Recent News
Benzinga.com
2025-11-28
2025-11-16
Company data provided by crunchbase