Question
2-5

PLANT CONTROLS ENGINEER - Dairy Manufacturing

2/4/2026

The Plant Controls Engineer continuously evaluates existing process control systems for reliability and effectiveness, providing day-to-day technical support and supporting new project implementations by configuring control modules, batch programs, and HMI graphics. Responsibilities also include the computer integration and programming of PLCs, HMIs, plant software applications, and maintaining network systems, alongside training end users and standardizing control logic designs.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

501-1,000 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

No

About The Company
Crystal brand dairy products have been a part of California for over 100 years. Throughout our history we have remained committed to providing the freshest, local dairy products. Founded by George Knox in 1901 we were originally known as Crystal Cream & Butter. Crystal started in the back of a small grocery store located at 728 K Street in Sacramento, California. That is where George and Caroline Knox churned butter. Twenty years later in 1921, Crystal was purchased by Carl Hansen, a Danish immigrant. When Hansen purchased Crystal, the products were still limited to butter and cream but in 1931 under Hansen’s leadership Crystal offered Sacramento its first bottled milk. This was the beginning of the expansion of Crystal’s family of products to include such products as cottage cheese, sour cream, ice cream and yogurt. The Hansen family was recognized as leaders in the dairy industry, pioneering many new technologies and growing Crystal into one of the last large independent dairy processors in the state of California. The Hansens ran the company for 86 years before selling to HP Hood, LLC. In 2007, family-operated Foster Farms Dairy purchased Crystal bringing the brand back to its family-owned roots. Foster Farms Dairy was founded in 1941 by Max and Verda Foster and is still family-owned and operated. Today the company is led by Dennis Roberts. Since becoming part of the Foster Farms Dairy family, the Crystal brand has continued its century old tradition of providing the highest quality, freshest, local dairy products. That’s why when it comes to feedng your family, the choice is clear… Crystal.
About the Role

Description

  

Crystal Creamery is currently looking for Plant Controls Engineer


Crystal Creamery is the largest privately owned dairy in California. It supplies a full line of value-added milk products including fluid milk, milk bi-products, sour cream cottage cheese, yogurt, ice cream, butter, juices, water, dry powders, and mixes. It operates manufacturing plants in Modesto, Fresno, and Fernbridge, California providing customers with a diverse range of quality products. Products are distributed throughout the Western United States via direct store delivery and distributor routes and direct to customer’s warehouses.

Requirements

  

SUMMARY: The Plant Controls Engineer continuously evaluates the existing process control systems for reliability of control and effectiveness. In fulfilling these roles, the Plant Automation & Controls Engineer works closely with the various Plant department members, including Maintenance, and Operations.

Provide day-to-day technical support on process control systems and process control related tasks. Support implementation of new projects by configuring control modules, batch programs, and HMI graphics.

Continually improve process control systems through Advanced Process Control, Alarm Management, and Operator Interface Optimization.

Responsible for all computer integration and programming of PLCs, HMIs, Plant Software Applications, SQL Databases, OPC server, Plant networking, and process controls

Responsible for training end users on the operations of newly installed or modified process and control systems.

Responsible for the standardization of control systems and control logic designs, documentation of operation procedures and as-built drawings and logic.

Will be the plant liaison for new system start up and commissioning by all outside controls contractors and system integrators to insure proper transfer of documented PLC and SCADA program changes and training on the installation/changes that have been completed.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

· Perform routine and specialized duties in the repair and maintenance of instruments and controls involved in bringing materials from a raw state to a finished state that is ready for our customers.

· Work as part of a team to plan, analyze and control the quality of processes.

· Provide ongoing technical training to other team members as part of cross training.

· Manage daily operations for the assigned shift.

· Inspect, repair, and adjust Programmable Logic Controls (PLC), and Human Machine Interfaces (HMI), and related equipment using electrical test equipment, circuit diagrams, schematics, and blueprints.

· Ensure repair and replacement of instruments and control systems that fail to operate. They must continuously monitor all operation processes so that a malfunction is immediately recognized and corrected.

· Ensure the ongoing maintenance and updating of all process control servers.

· Review, maintain and update all manufacturing network systems.

· Maintain and update all interfaces between process controls, business systems, and all other network systems including GE iFix.

· Adapt and change as needed to the current conditions.

· Communicate orally and in writing routinely with management, co-workers and with Operations. 

· Routinely update Track-It work orders as work assignments progress.


QUALIFICATIONS:

· Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in electrical/Electronic Engineering or Technology or related military service training programs.

· Minimum of three (3) years maintenance experience in industrial control system development and troubleshooting.

· Must have proven experience with the following PLCs: Allen Bradley

· Must have proven experience with the following HMI or SCADA software packages GE iFix, Rockwell, Wonderware, ControlNet, and Device Net.

· Must have experience with Rockwell’s Manufacturing Intelligence Platform (FactoryTalk).

· Strong PLC skills with expertise in system administrative and maintenance activities, and hardware and software troubleshooting and debugging.

· Experience programming in multiple languages that are IEC 61131-3 compliant, such as RSLogix 5000, Visual Basic and PHP.

 
 

Crystal Creamery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 
 

Qualified women, minorities, and US military veterans are encouraged to apply.

 
 

Crystal Creamery is an Equal Employment opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, traits historically associated with race, including but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles (such as braids, locks, and twists), color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition as defined by applicable state law (including cancer and predisposing genetic characteristics in California), genetic information, marital status, familial status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation (actual or perceived), transgender status, sex stereotyping, age, military or veteran status, domestic violence or sexual assault victim status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

 
 

We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. Crystal Creamery is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruitment process. To apply please visit www.crystalcreamery.com

Key Skills
PLC ProgrammingHMI ConfigurationSCADA SystemsSQL DatabasesOPC ServerPlant NetworkingProcess Control SystemsTroubleshootingSystem IntegrationAdvanced Process ControlAlarm ManagementAllen BradleyGE iFixFactoryTalkRSLogix 5000IEC 61131-3
Categories
EngineeringManufacturingTechnologyTrades
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