Entry Level Automation/Controls Engineer (Start May 2026)

Job Description

Job Description

As a design/build engineering firm and general contractor that designs and builds food and beverage processing facilities, Dennis Group’s Automation & Controls Engineers work closely with our process, packaging and building engineers to meet our clients’ expectations in startup, commissioning, and qualifying their food and beverage production facilities. The role requires regular onsite presence to ensure necessary diagnoses, troubleshooting, and operational startup of our client’s production lines, equipment, and facilities. Our Automation & Controls Engineers are frequently facing engineering challenges in applying standard engineering techniques to design, develop, and maintain instrumentation or control systems. Both software and hardware design and troubleshooting skills and abilities are required for this role. Typical responsibilities include, but not limited to:

Responsibilities

• Handle basic issues and problems and refer more complex issues to higher-level engineer
• Design and troubleshoot both software and hardware necessary for control systems utilizing PLCs for integration of manufacturing systems.
• Automate manufacturing processes through the use of instrumentation or controls systems.
• Design, diagnose, and troubleshoot network infrastructures - Ethernet, DeviceNet, AS-i, Profibus etc.
• Develop new PLC applications, interfaces, or embedded controls
• Develop new or modify existing set-up and commissioning of new facilities or upgrading of existing facilities
• Design, specify, wire, and procure control panel equipment, e.g. safety circuits, I/O, networks, etc.
• Design, specify, and procure electrical equipment, e.g. MCCs, panelboards, transformers, etc.
• Specify, procure, configure, and troubleshoot controls hardware and field instrumentation
• Troubleshoot and resolve malfunctions and make recommendations that will improve efficiency or quality of operations
• Develop bid documentation for Electrical, Automation, and Low Voltage (network, security) vendors
• Document specifications and operating procedures
• Interface and manage installation contractors during construction
• Research Automation & Controls materials and best practices
• Support talent growth within our organization

Required Education Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• 0-3 years of work experience or schooling and familiarity with Allen Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, GE Fanuc, Honeywell Systems.
• 0-3 years of work experience or schooling in Visual Basic, SQL, MS ACCESS Database programming skills a plus
• 0-3 years of work experience or schooling with design and implementation process network infrastructures (Ethernet, Device Net, Control Net, ProfiBus, etc.)
• 0-3 years of work experience and/or internship(s) in an industrial manufacturing setting
• Database programming skills a plus
• Proficiency with MS Office and AutoCAD Required
• This role is client facing, those successful in this role are professional, self-motivated, and energetic individuals with excellent communication and inter-personal skills.
• Must meet travel requirement - you will spend significant time in our client's facilities during installation and startup/commissioning/qualification phases of a project – 35% to 50% of any given time of the year.

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing and walking during installation, commissioning and startup.
• Must be able to lift-up to 30 pounds at times.

Travel Requirement

• Up to 50% travel required to visit project sites and other offices.

About Us

We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.

Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.

Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.