Job Title: Lead Controls Engineer (5987)
Duration: 09/21/2026 to 09/18/2027
Location: Holcomb, KS 67851 [Candidate must be able to work onsite.]
Schedule: 2 Shifts: 1st shift: 6am-4pm, 2nd shift: 3pm-12am M-F (40 hours a week)
Shift: 1st
Travel: This position is for onsite presence for Holcomb, KS Tyson plant.
Job Description:
SUMMARY:
This position's primary responsibility is to oversee and provide expert technical direction for technology-based processes. This individual's principal goals are to develop and manage specific technical environments for each department and to attain all IT service level agreements for the user community within the organization. The lead will plan and provide direction and support for IT solutions that enhance mission-critical business operations. This position will work closely with decision makers in other departments to identify, recommend, develop, implement, and support cost-effective solutions for all aspects of the organization. This person will also help to define and implement IT policies, standards, procedures, and best practices.
Responsibilities and duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide technical direction and recommendations to team members and IS management;
- Understand and ensure compliance to IS standards and methodology;
- Recommend and develop plans for systems development and operations;
- Hardware, software and equipment purchases;
- Negotiate with technical personnel and customers for services, products and direction;
- Review and advise groups in the selection, usage and maintenance of technology solutions;
- Provide direction to the vendors and stay current on the latest technologies of the systems supported by the organization to assist in the future planning of necessary IT initiatives;
- Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems or other technical area. Equivalent work experience may be acceptable.
Experience: 6+ years of experience in Information Systems or related area with proven programming experience.
Computer Skills: Strong knowledge of multiple technologies including but not limited to SCADA, 4GL programming, scripting, server based, and SQL.
PLC Skills: Knowledge in programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting PLC-based control systems in industrial environments. Experienced with ladder logic and structured programming, I/O mapping, HMI integration, and interpreting electrical schematics to diagnose faults and restore uptime.
Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience communicating technical information to non-technical team members
Special Skills: Advanced understanding and experience with a System Development Lifecycle Methodology; advanced experience developing, reviewing, and/or modifying specifications, configurations, and programs to meet specified requirements; experience in the following: analyzing and interpreting information systems proposals, evaluating and developing alternative implementation plans, reviewing and developing coding standards and working productively in a cross functional team advanced knowledge of relevant multi-user computer systems, applications, and/or equipment; knowledge of current technology developments and trends; extensive problem-solving skills; experience developing and executing integrated test plans; basic project management capabilities.
Top requirements:
• PLC / Controls: Strong hands-on PLC troubleshooting and programming experience, with Schneider Electric / Modicon being particularly important. They should be comfortable working in an environment containing both newer and legacy controls.
• Plant Automation: Troubleshooting automated production and material-handling equipment in a live manufacturing environment.
• Conveyance / Material Handling: Controls experience supporting conveyors, motors/drives, sensors, photo eyes, interlocks, sequencing, and related material-handling equipment.
• Scanning / Identification Systems: Experience integrating and troubleshooting industrial barcode/scanning/vision equipment. Our environment includes Keyence, Cognex and SICK, so experience with those platforms would be highly relevant.
• SCADA / HMI (Ignition and iFix): Ability to diagnose issues across PLC, HMI/SCADA and connected equipment rather than treating the PLC as an isolated system.
• Industrial Networks / Communications: Ability to troubleshoot communications between PLCs, scanners, field devices, HMIs and other plant-floor systems.
• Upgrades & Modernization: Comfortable supporting older equipment while also helping with controls upgrades, replacements and modernization efforts.
• Plant-Floor Troubleshooting: Strong diagnostic ability—someone who can trace a problem across controls, electrical, communications and equipment to determine the actual root cause rather than simply replacing components.
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