Automation Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Description:

Do you take pride in doing things right the first time? Looking for a stable job with room to grow? Ready to join a team that treats you like family? We want to hear from you!

Automation Engineer – Ayer, MA

Join a Legacy. Build the Future

Catania Oils, a fourth-generation, family-owned business with 125 years of excellence in the edible oils industry, is looking for a passionate and driven Automation Engineer to join our team. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, love solving problems, and know how to bring out the best in people—this is your moment.

Our Core Values Drive Everything We Do

• We Are Family – We treat every team member with respect and support, just like family.
• Own It – We take responsibility, celebrate wins, and learn from challenges.
• Job Well Done – We strive for excellence and take pride in delivering quality work.
• Customer Focused – We go beyond expectations to ensure our customers succeed.
• Authenticity at Our Core – We act with integrity and stay true to our values, even under pressure.

What You’ll Do

• Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) to support production and packaging operations.
• Develop and maintain dynamic control plans to ensure efficient, safe, and scalable system performance.
• Lead the integration of automation systems with SQL databases and MES platforms for real-time data acquisition and analysis.
• Specify, install, and support motor control systems, including VFDs and servo drives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement automation solutions that improve throughput, reduce downtime, and ensure product quality.
• Support and enforce electrical safety standards, compliance with NFPA 70E, and best practices in electrical design.
• Subject matter expert with IoT devices, dashboards, and integrated automation systems.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to maintenance and engineering teams.
• Apply Lean principles and continuous improvement tools to drive process efficiency and reliability.
• Participate in capital projects from concept through commissioning and validation.
• Champion a culture of safety, ownership, and leadership within the plant

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in automation and electrical systems within a manufacturing or food packaging environment.
• Proficient in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, etc.) and HMI/SCADA systems.
• Strong working knowledge of industrial networks, SQL databases, and control system architecture.
• Hands-on experience with electrical motor controls, VFDs, servo systems, and panel design.
• Skilled in developing and implementing dynamic control strategies and documentation.
• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate across teams in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with food-grade automation and sanitation requirements.
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0, IoT, or smart manufacturing concepts.
• Project management certification or experience leading large-scale automation initiatives.

Why Catania Oils?

• Be part of a company that values teamwork, respect, and continuous improvement
• Work in a culture that blends tradition with innovation
• Make a real impact in a company that’s committed to sustainability and quality.
• We offer competitive pay and benefits.

Catania Oils is an Equal Opportunity Employer