Back to jobs

Sr. Automation Engineer

Webster, New York, United States

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

Senior Automation Engineer

company information

fairlife, LLC, is a Chicago-based health food company with a mission to enrich lives by sustainably providing nourishment and vitality to the world. We produce and market nutritious and great-tasting lactose-free milk beverages made using a patented cold-filtration process that removes lactose and sugars while maximizing the natural proteins, nutrients, and minerals found in cow’s milk. The company was founded in 2012 by Mike and Sue McCloskey of Select Milk Producers, Inc.®, a group of dairy farmers dedicated to using exceptional cow care and sustainable farming practices to yield higher quality milk.

Our line of delicious and lactose-free fairlife® products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk, the only cow’s milk with 50% more protein and 50% less sugar than regular milk for the whole family; Core Power®, a high protein milk shake for athletes and fitness enthusiasts to help build lean muscle and support healthy recovery; fairlife® with DHA, an ultra-filtered milk with DHA Omega-3 fatty acids to support brain health; fairlife® YUP!™, a line of flavored milks; fairlife® smart snacks™, a snack sized beverage that blends fairlife ultra-filtered milk with honey and oats; and the newly launched fairlife® Nutrition Plan™, a high protein, low sugar weight management drink. In partnership with The Coca-Cola Company®, fairlife ultra-filtered milk and Core Power high protein shakes are distributed throughout the United States (U.S.) and Canada; all other fairlife drinks are available nationwide in the U.S. To learn more about fairlife and its collection of products, please visit fairlife.com or follow the company on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.

job purpose: Under limited supervision, the Senior Automation Engineer will provide technical solutions and expertise in operations, engineering, and maintenance. The Senior Automation Engineer will manage, coordinate, and oversee technical projects, maintenance, and engineering solutions. This individual will plan and direct all projects with necessary vendors and in-house resources. They are responsible for ensuring and improving the performance, productivity, training and efficiencies for fairlife’s plants through provision of effective methods, controls, and strategies.

 

responsibilities:

· Project planning: Developing project plans, timelines, and budgets for fluid dairy processing projects. This includes determining the scope of the project, identifying resources required, and establishing project milestones.

· Equipment selection and procurement: Identifying and selecting appropriate equipment and machinery for fluid dairy processing operations. This involves evaluating different options, considering factors such as capacity, efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness. The project engineer is responsible for coordinating with vendors and managing the procurement process.

· Process design and optimization: Designing and optimizing fluid dairy processing processes to ensure efficiency, productivity, and quality. This includes creating mass balances, identifying bottlenecks, improving process flow, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

· Project coordination: Collaborating with cross-functional teams, including safety, production, maintenance, and quality assurance, to ensure smooth project execution. The project engineer is responsible for coordinating activities, managing resources, and resolving any issues or conflicts that arise during the project.

· Regulatory compliance: Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards governing fluid dairy processing operations. The project engineer must have a thorough understanding of food safety and quality regulations and work closely with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance throughout the project.

· Documentation and reporting: Maintaining accurate project documentation, including design specifications, equipment manuals, stakeholder signoffs and project reports. The project engineer is responsible for documenting project progress, tracking expenses, and providing regular updates to stakeholders.

· Training and support: Providing training and support to operations and maintenance teams on new equipment, processes, and technologies implemented during the project. This includes developing training materials, conducting training sessions, and assisting with troubleshooting and problem-solving.

· Continuous improvement: Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement in processing operations and milk losses. The project engineer is responsible for monitoring process performance, analyzing data, and implementing changes or upgrades to enhance productivity, efficiency, and product quality.

 

skills/qualifications required:

· Bachelor’s degree in controls engineering or related discipline preferred, equivalent experience considered

· Minimum of 5 years’ experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

· Aseptic/Dairy experience preferred including UHT’s, homogenizers, separators, filtration plants, mix proof valves, motors, pumps.

· Experience with Automation Products hardware and software product suites (Ignition, ControlLogix, Logix 5000, FT View, FT Historian, and Canary Historian).

· Experience with other automation platforms such as Siemens, B&R, GE, Aveva/Wonderware, etc.

· Experience in automation system project delivery and major capital projects including schedule and cost management.

· Able to understand and utilize engineering drawings, operating manuals, and blueprints to conduct business

· Ability to update P&ID’s, mechanical/electrical prints (CAD/SolidWorks preferred)

· Skilled in organizing resources and establishing priorities

· Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

· Ability to make administrative and procedural decisions and judgements on sensitive, confidential issues

· Ability to supervise and train staff, including organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments

· Knowledge of computerized information systems used in quality assurance, maintenance, and ERP applications

· Knowledge of USDA, State, Federal regulations for a dairy manufacturing facility a plus

 

position location: Webster, NY

reports to: Director, Manufacturing Automation

travel requirements: 25%

exempt/nonexempt: Exempt

 

*Base pay offered may vary depending on geography, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position, is offered.

Base pay range:

$120,000 - $135,000 USD

fairlife, LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. All qualified applicants and employees will be given equal opportunity. Selection decisions are based on job-related factors.

In addition to its nondiscrimination commitment, the Company will also provide reasonable accommodation of qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would impose an undue hardship on the Company. If you have a disability and would like to request accommodation in order to apply for a position with us, please email careers@fairlife.com.


For Recruitment Agencies

At fairlife, we manage the majority of our hiring internally through our dedicated Talent Acquisition team, which is actively engaged in direct candidate sourcing. Most of our roles are filled through applications submitted via our careers site or through direct outreach by our team.

As our recruitment is primarily handled in-house, we work only occasionally with external agencies, and only those on our existing, pre-approved vendor list. At this time, we are not reviewing or expanding that list.

Unsolicited resumes or submissions from external agencies not authorized by our Talent Acquisition team will be considered direct candidate applications. As such, fairlife will not assume responsibility for any placement fees associated with these submissions.


Create a Job Alert

Interested in building your career at fairlife? Get future opportunities sent straight to your email.

Apply for this job

*

indicates a required field

Resume/CV*

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Cover Letter

Accepted file types: pdf, doc, docx, txt, rtf

Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...
Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey. Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiring process or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in a confidential file.

As set forth in fairlife’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

Select...
Select...
Race & Ethnicity Definitions

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection. As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measure the effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categories is as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.

Select...

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability

Form CC-305
Page 1 of 1
OMB Control Number 1250-0005
Expires 04/30/2026

Why are you being asked to complete this form?

We are a federal contractor or subcontractor. The law requires us to provide equal employment opportunity to qualified people with disabilities. We have a goal of having at least 7% of our workers as people with disabilities. The law says we must measure our progress towards this goal. To do this, we must ask applicants and employees if they have a disability or have ever had one. People can become disabled, so we need to ask this question at least every five years.

Completing this form is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so. Your answer is confidential. No one who makes hiring decisions will see it. Your decision to complete the form and your answer will not harm you in any way. If you want to learn more about the law or this form, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) website at www.dol.gov/ofccp.

How do you know if you have a disability?

A disability is a condition that substantially limits one or more of your “major life activities.” If you have or have ever had such a condition, you are a person with a disability. Disabilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Alcohol or other substance use disorder (not currently using drugs illegally)
  • Autoimmune disorder, for example, lupus, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, HIV/AIDS
  • Blind or low vision
  • Cancer (past or present)
  • Cardiovascular or heart disease
  • Celiac disease
  • Cerebral palsy
  • Deaf or serious difficulty hearing
  • Diabetes
  • Disfigurement, for example, disfigurement caused by burns, wounds, accidents, or congenital disorders
  • Epilepsy or other seizure disorder
  • Gastrointestinal disorders, for example, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome
  • Intellectual or developmental disability
  • Mental health conditions, for example, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD
  • Missing limbs or partially missing limbs
  • Mobility impairment, benefiting from the use of a wheelchair, scooter, walker, leg brace(s) and/or other supports
  • Nervous system condition, for example, migraine headaches, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Neurodivergence, for example, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, other learning disabilities
  • Partial or complete paralysis (any cause)
  • Pulmonary or respiratory conditions, for example, tuberculosis, asthma, emphysema
  • Short stature (dwarfism)
  • Traumatic brain injury
Select...

PUBLIC BURDEN STATEMENT: According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless such collection displays a valid OMB control number. This survey should take about 5 minutes to complete.