Automation Technician / Automation Engineer
Location
Liberty Packing Company, LLC
About the Company
The Morning Star Company and its affiliates operate three tomato processing facilities in Central California, processing about 40% of the California processing tomato crop, in addition to tomato growing, transplanting, farming, harvesting and trucking operations. The company employs approximately 500 year-round and over 3,000 seasonal colleagues, with annual sales of about $1 billion.
The Morning Star Company is the largest producer of bulk tomato ingredient products (tomato paste and diced tomatoes) in the world. We also produce canned tomatoes, tomato products and specialty sauces in pouches for customers in the retail and food service markets. The company is known worldwide for its innovation and integrity.
We are organizationally structured through a system we term Mission Focused Self-Management™. Our company is operated by Colleagues without titles or an appointed hierarchy of authority. Authority relative to other Colleagues’ activities is lateral, with our Mission as our guiding principle of action, and respect, influence and success built based on each Colleague’s integrity, competency, effort, persistence and straightforward persuasiveness. Although we have grown significantly, we intend to maintain a culture of individual responsibility and Mission Focused Self-Management.
Role Summary
The Automation Technician / Automation Engineer is responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance, and optimization of industrial automation systems across processing and packaging operations. This role supports reliable plant operation by maintaining PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and electrical control systems while driving continuous improvement, troubleshooting, and automation upgrades in a food and beverage manufacturing environment.
The position works closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and external vendors to ensure safe, robust, and efficient automation systems that meet production, quality, and food safety requirements.
Key Responsibilities
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Automation & Controls
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Design, program, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-based control systems, including logic, I/O, and communications
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Develop and support HMI/SCADA systems for process monitoring and operator interaction
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Diagnose and resolve automation-related downtime in processing and packaging equipment
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Support startup, commissioning, and validation of new automation systems and equipment
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Program and troubleshoot servo motors and drives
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Electrical & Instrumentation
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Troubleshoot electrical control panels, motor controls, VFDs, sensors, and field devices
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Maintain and calibrate instrumentation (flow, pressure, temperature, level, pH, etc.)
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Interpret and update electrical schematics, loop diagrams, and P&IDs
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Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and plant LOTO procedures
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Continuous Improvement & Projects
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Identify opportunities to improve OEE, reliability, and process consistency through automation
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Support capital projects involving new equipment, line upgrades, or controls modernization
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Standardize controls architectures, programming practices, and documentation
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Collaborate with vendors, integrators, and internal engineering teams
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Food & Beverage Manufacturing Support
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Ensure automation systems support
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Food safety, quality, and sanitation requirements
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Participate in CIP/SIP automation, batching, and recipe management systems
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Support traceability, alarms, data logging, and process controls critical to food production
Required Qualifications
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Technical Skills
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Strong working knowledge of PLC platforms (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent)
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Experience with HMI/SCADA development and troubleshooting
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Solid understanding of industrial electrical systems (480V/240V/120V controls, MCCs, VFDs)
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Experience with process instrumentation and field device integration
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Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, P&IDs, and control narratives
Experience-
Automation Technician:
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3–5 years of hands-on industrial automation and controls experience
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Automation Engineer:
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5+ years of automation/controls experience, including system design and project support
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Preferred experience in food & beverage, CPG, or regulated manufacturing environments
Education (preferred, not mandatory depending on level)
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Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Automation, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
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Equivalent hands-on experience will be considered in lieu of formal education
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience with batching systems, recipe control, or continuous process automation
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Familiarity with industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profibus, Profinet, Modbus, etc.)
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Experience supporting capital projects and equipment commissioning
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Understanding of GMP, HACCP, and food safety requirements
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Ability to work independently in a fast-paced production environment
Soft Skills & Attributes
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Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
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Ability to work cross-functionally with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering
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Clear communicator with operators, technicians, and management
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Detail-oriented with strong documentation habits
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Comfortable supporting off-hours troubleshooting during critical production periods
Compensation
The salary for this role is $180,000-$200,000, depending heavily upon qualifications.
Benefits
Morning Star offers a top-tier, comprehensive health plan, including medical, dental, and vision, and we pay the full monthly premiums for the Colleague and all eligible family members. The company also contributes to Colleagues' Health Savings Accounts. Year-round Colleagues are eligible to enroll in our 401K plan, with 4% match.
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