Principal Controls Engineer - Food & Beverage

Job Description

Job DescriptionDescription:

Overview

Avanceon is hiring a Principal Controls Engineer to support a long-term, strategic food & beverage customer relationship. This is a key technical role focused on multi-site process automation integration, working across batching, packaging, and CIP systems.

You’ll serve as the technical right hand to the Operations Manager, leading project execution while also acting as a mentor and subject matter expert to the broader engineering team. Ideal candidates will bring hands-on controls experience in food processing environments and a passion for delivering solutions that are smart, scalable, and operations-friendly.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the design and execution of control system solutions for one of our most valued food & beverage customers
• Serve as a technical authority on food process automation—including process/batching, CIP, packaging, and utilities
• Architect PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems (primarily Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Aveva)
• Drive innovation through practical application of Industry 4.0 and IIoT technologies
• Act as the customer’s trusted engineering partner—engaging with plant and corporate stakeholders across multiple locations
• Lead FATs, site commissioning, and startup activities nationwide
• Mentor and support other engineers on the project team
• Collaborate closely with the Operations Manager to ensure successful delivery and build long-term trust

Requirements:

What You Bring

• 7+ years in industrial automation, with strong experience in food & beverage manufacturing environments
• Deep knowledge of food processing systems (e.g., batching, mixing, sanitation, temperature control, line integration)
• Hands-on proficiency in PLCs (Allen-Bradley preferred), SCADA platforms (FactoryTalk, Aveva, Ignition), and HMI development
• Proficient in AutoCAD Electrical and control panel design best practices
• Strong communication skills—you can bridge the gap between IT, plant floor, and corporate engineering teams
• Ability and willingness to travel to customer sites (10–25%)

Why This Role Is Unique

• Work on high-impact systems that directly affect national food supply
• Join a tight-knit, high-trust customer team that values long-term partnerships over transactional projects
• Influence enterprise-wide system design through your technical expertise
• Support a customer with modern plants, forward-thinking leadership, and ongoing innovation initiatives

Why Avanceon?

Yes, we offer all the usual benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401K contributions, etc., but what makes Avanceon different from the rest?

Most importantly, we have cool and talented people. Avanceon associates and the culture they create are what makes us great – for each other, and our customers.

We also have flex hours, work-from-home opportunities, a casual dress code, a playful and professional work environment, book clubs, social gatherings, oh yeah, let’s not forget professional growth too, freedom to work the way you work, diverse customers and industries (you'll never be bored!), easy and fun ways to donate to charities, were parties mentioned? …And that's just the beginning of the list!

Note about Remote Associates: At Avanceon we value our remote associates just as much as our onsite team members. Our company culture is inclusive and supportive, and we make sure that all of our remote employees feel like they are part of the team, whether that is virtually or traveling to join us in the office. If you're looking for a remote position where you'll be treated like a valued team member, then Avanceon is the perfect place for you.

Who is Avanceon?

We are an engineering firm that helps manufacturers make their factories faster, with higher quality, and less waste. We work within industrial control systems to cause machinery within a manufacturing plant to work in the best possible way. Our clients come from many different verticals (food, consumer goods, drinking and wastewater – not together! and much more). You can imagine that this provides incredible amounts of varied and fascinating experiences for our associates. We are a stable and growing business that, thanks to our awesome employees, we have even been named a Top Workplace in Philly for 7 years in a row!

Go on, check us out on our website: www.avanceon.com

We believe our differences enrich our growth and success. Avanceon is committed to creating an inclusive environment that values and welcomes diversity among our associates. We are an equal-opportunity employer and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or protected veteran status.