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About the job

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

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

Who is Actemium 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.