Controls Engineer

The Marzetti Company

College Park, GA

Estimated pay: Est. $26–$39/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

Overview:

At The Marzetti Company, our mission is to make every meal better through high-quality, flavorful food. The Automation & Controls Engineer is a hands-on technical resource responsible for the reliability, improvement, integration, and cybersecurity of automation systems across food processing, packaging, plant utilities, and facility infrastructure.

Working with a high degree of independence, this role supports day-to-day production, resolves complex controls issues, modernizes legacy systems, and delivers automation projects that improve safety, food quality, throughput, equipment uptime, and the operator experience. The engineer partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality and Food Safety, Continuous Improvement, Information Technology, and external OEMs and system integrators.

Technology Environment:

• **PLC and machine control:** Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix using Studio 5000; additional platforms may include ABB, Bosch Rexroth, Mitsubishi, Omron, and Siemens.
• **Visualization and manufacturing systems:** Ignition SCADA and historian capabilities, FactoryTalk View, ThinManager, and manufacturing execution systems (MES).
• **Connectivity and data:** EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, Modbus TCP/RTU, MQTT, Profibus, IO-Link, Microsoft SQL Server, database interfaces, and Python scripting.
• **OT infrastructure:** Managed industrial switches, VLANs, segmented OT networks, firewall rules, Claroty xDome Secure Access for secure remote access, role-based access control, and Purdue Model/five-layer OT architecture.
• **Plant systems:** Processing and packaging equipment, robotics, servo and motion systems, VFDs, instrumentation, building management systems, and plant utility systems.

Responsibilities What You'll Do:

**Automation & Controls Engineering**

• Program, troubleshoot, maintain, and optimize PLC-based control systems, with primary emphasis on Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation ControlLogix and CompactLogix platforms using Studio 5000.
• Support and troubleshoot other controls platforms deployed within the facility, which may include ABB, Bosch Rexroth, Mitsubishi, Omron, and Siemens systems.
• Develop, maintain, and improve SCADA/HMI applications using Ignition and FactoryTalk, including tag structures, alarms, trends, historian data, reports, recipes, security roles, and operator interfaces.
• Identify and execute PLC, HMI, SCADA, historian, and controls-infrastructure improvements, upgrades, migrations, obsolescence-risk mitigation, and standardization initiatives.
• Troubleshoot VFDs, servo and motion systems, instrumentation, remote I/O, industrial robots, safety systems, and machine-to-machine communications.
• Maintain accurate controls documentation, including software backups, change records, I/O lists, control narratives, network diagrams, wiring schematics, and operating or troubleshooting procedures.

**OT Networks, Cybersecurity & System Integration**

• Partner with Information Technology and OT cybersecurity teams to support the design, documentation, implementation, and ongoing improvement of segmented OT networks aligned with the Purdue Model and a five-layer manufacturing technology stack.
• Support managed industrial Ethernet switches, VLANs, IP addressing, network paths, and device communications; partner with IT to coordinate firewall-rule changes, Claroty xDome Secure Access, and secure connectivity for internal and third-party users.
• Implement and maintain role-based access, least-privilege permissions, user groups, and account governance across PLC, SCADA, ThinManager, historian, MES, server, and network environments.
• Integrate OEM equipment, sensors, PLCs, SCADA, MES, historians, databases, and enterprise systems using EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, Modbus, MQTT, serial or gateway communications, and other appropriate protocols.
• Support MQTT and edge-connectivity solutions, including broker connectivity, topic or namespace design, reliable data transfer, and plant-floor-to-enterprise integration.
• Configure and support Microsoft SQL Server connections, tables, queries, views, and data flows; develop Python scripts for data collection, diagnostics, reporting, configuration, and repetitive engineering tasks.

**Reliability, Operational Support & Continuous Improvement**

• Provide responsive technical support to Maintenance and Operations, taking ownership of control-system problems through containment, diagnosis, corrective action, and verified resolution.
• Lead or participate in root cause analysis for recurring failures, production losses, quality events, and communication issues; translate findings into sustainable system improvements.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve safety, reliability, throughput, OEE, product quality, waste, ergonomics, maintainability, and operator experience.
• Lead or support capital and continuous-improvement projects, including requirements development, controls specification