Controls Engineer

About Ready Foods

Ready Foods is a Denver-based, family-owned food manufacturer on a transformation journey. While rooted in more than five decades of manufacturing excellence, we are building the next generation of food manufacturing by combining Lean principles, Industry 4.0 technologies, digital transformation and systems thinking.

Across our 4 Denver facilities, we are creating a connected enterprise that leverages data, automation, continuous improvement and employee expertise to drive better decisions and better outcomes. Our culture is built on respect for people, operational excellence, learning, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. We are looking for individuals who want to help shape the future of manufacturing while making a meaningful impact on our customers, employees and community.

About the Role

We are looking for a hands-on Controls Engineer to contribute to the engineering maintenance and continued growth of the automation, reliability and performance of our manufacturing operations.

This role combines PLC programming, SCADA, electrical controls and hands-on troubleshooting with opportunities to improve the systems behind our processes. You'll partner with Engineering, Maintenance and Operations to solve problems, support equipment and advance automation across our facilities.

Responsibilities Include:

• Program, troubleshoot and optimize PLC and HMI systems
• Diagnose electrical, controls, instrumentation and automation issues
• Support industrial networks, drives, sensors, motors and related control systems
• Partner with Maintenance and Operations to identify root causes of recurring equipment issues
• Support installation, commissioning and startup of new equipment and automation systems
• Maintain electrical drawings, programs, backups and controls documentation
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and automate manual processes
• Support manufacturing technology, data and Industry 4.0 initiatives
• Help strengthen controls and troubleshooting capabilities across the organization

Requirements Include:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, electronics or controls engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience
• Hands-on industrial PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting experience
• Strong knowledge of electrical controls and industrial automation
• Ability to read electrical schematics and troubleshoot issues
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Manufacturing or other industrial experience
• Effective collaboration with operators, technicians, engineers and leaders
• Ability to develop, integrate, test, commission and document automation improvements
• Experience with Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley, industrial networks, VFDs, instrumentation, commissioning and food or process manufacturing
• Experience building and updating Ignition screens, alarms, trends and equipment monitoring applications
• Ability to read ladder logic, modify and troubleshoot programs, and safely test production changes
• Basic knowledge of Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, OPC UA and communications troubleshooting
• Experience with PID loops, VFDs, sensors, 4–20 mA signals and temperature, pressure and flow control

Why Ready Foods

This is an opportunity to work on today's manufacturing challenges while helping build the factory of the future. You'll have a direct impact on equipment reliability, automation and Ready Foods' journey toward a more connected, data-driven manufacturing environment.