Global Controls Project Engineer

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense · Saint Charles

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This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption. Click here to learn more.

Job Description

Help shape the future of AFB’s manufacturing operations

At AFB International, we make pet food taste great. Our palatants help pet food, treats, and supplements deliver the taste pets love while supporting the nutrition pets need. As part of the Ensign-Bickford Industries family, AFB is a global, high-growth organization committed to innovation, operational excellence, and the development of our people.

We are seeking a Global Controls Project Engineer to lead electrical, controls, and automation work across AFB’s capital projects. This role will independently manage smaller projects while providing electrical and controls leadership on larger manufacturing, technology, and continuous-improvement initiatives.

Based at our St. Charles, Missouri corporate office or Aurora, Missouri plant, this position offers the opportunity to work on projects that have a visible

impact on AFB’s operations, capacity, reliability, safety, and future growth.

What you’ll do

Lead controls projects from concept through completion

• Manage assigned electrical, controls, and automation projects—generally valued below $500,000—from planning through closeout.
• Apply AFB project-management practices by maintaining accurate scopes, budgets, schedules, action items, risks, and status reports.
• Support larger capital projects by coordinating electrical and controls requirements, vendors, contractors, deliverables, schedules, costs, and risks.
• Independently execute projects while meeting approved safety, quality, cost, schedule, and scope expectations.

Provide electrical and controls engineering expertise

• Develop electrical and controls scopes, design criteria, specifications, I/O and network requirements, bid packages, and procurement documents.
• Manage and review electrical and controls design deliverables for completeness, accuracy, constructibility, maintainability, and compliance with AFB standards.
• Review drawings, specifications, control narratives, panel designs, PLC and HMI documentation, network architecture, programs, alarms, interlocks, and operator interfaces.
• Direct electrical consultants and other technical resources as needed.
• Review and evaluate alternative solutions to ensure systems are practical, reliable, maintainable, and cost-effective.

Support equipment integration, installation, and startup

• Coordinate electrical and controls installation, field troubleshooting, commissioning, startup, training, performance verification, and turnover.
• Participate in and lead Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), document deficiencies, and ensure corrective actions are completed before equipment is shipped or placed into service.
• Verify that controls and automation systems meet AFB requirements and global standards.
• Complete system backups, as-built drawings, network records, manuals, spare-parts information, and other closeout documentation.

Promote consistency, safety, and collaboration

• Partner with the Global Automation and Controls Engineer and plant controls engineers to apply consistent architecture, programming, HMI, networking, and documentation standards.
• Build effective working relationships with Corporate Project Managers, plant engineering and maintenance teams, Operations, Quality, EHS, vendors, contractors, suppliers, and integrators.
• Ensure electrical and controls solutions support safety, food safety, quality, cybersecurity, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Provide troubleshooting and startup support for electrical, controls, automation, instrumentation, and industrial networking issues.
• Clearly communicate requirements, decisions, risks, and project expectations across cross-functional and external teams.

What you’ll bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited university or technical college.
• At least three years of experience in electrical engineering, controls, automation, capital projects, or industrial manufacturing.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, instrumentation, control panels, drives, and automation systems.
• Experience with electrical documentation, control systems, equipment integration, commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting.
• Experience working with equipment suppliers, system integrators, contractors, consultants, and plant personnel.
• Demonstrated ability to develop scopes, estimates, schedules, procurement documents, change control, and project closeout materials.
• Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage costs, evaluate alternatives, prioritize work, and make practical decisions in a changing environment.

Work environment and travel

Work is performed in office, manufacturing, construction, and active production environments. The role may involve exposure to moving equipment, dust, noise, temperature variation, and the use of required personal protective equipment.

Travel between AFB facilities and to vendor or contractor locations will be required. Occasional off-hour support may be needed during equipment startup, commissioning, or critical project activities.

Why join AFB?

Make a visible impact

You will contribute to significant capital, manufacturing, technology, and continuous-improvement initiatives that directly influence AFB’s operations and growth.

Gain global exposure

Collaborate with colleagues, customers, suppliers, and technical teams across multiple countries and functions while expanding your professional experience and career opportunities.

Work in a collaborative, innovative environment

AFB brings together experts in science, engineering, manufacturing, quality, and business. Our collaborative culture encourages employees to solve challenging problems, develop new ideas, and make meaningful contributions.

If you are an experienced electrical, controls, or automation professional who enjoys turning complex projects into practical, reliable solutions, we invite you to apply and help build the future of AFB’s manufacturing operations.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.

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