Director of Controls Engineering

We are seeking a Director of Controls Engineering who drives some of the most cutting-edge engineering projects Oishii has to offer.

As Director of Controls Engineering,  you will be charged with leading all aspects of Oishii’s controls function, responsible for designing, developing, commissioning, and overseeing controls technologies, building and managing a team, coordinating cross functionally, charting controls strategy, and identifying external partnerships to support controls engineering. 

At Oishii, the Director of Controls Engineering has the opportunity to drive the future of an industry. We are developing advanced farm systems that leverage robotic harvesting, artificial intelligence, forecasting, and automation technologies to grow and harvest the world’s best strawberries. We are studying every aspect of strawberry production and finding ways to beat the status quo. On the plant science front, we are creating smarter farms that can automatically harvest fruit, measure and analyze plant health, monitor environmental conditions, fine-tune nutrient levels, understand and control the micro-organism ecosystems, and much more. This role will be heavily involved in coordinating cross functionally with other engineering functions, operations, maintenance, and plant science teams across geographies to make Oishii’s farms work.  

What you’ll be responsible for:

• Design, develop, implement and manage scalable automation systems for complex indoor vertical farming technologies which include robotics, HVAC/R, sensors, irrigation lighting, AS/RS, conveyors, and more 
• Lead the international deployment of controls/electrical systems from design through commissioning and maintenance support
• Lead cross functional coordination with key stakeholders to understand and codify requirements in order to plan and execute large scale automation projects on time and within budget
• Develop and implement a controls strategy that meets company’s strategic farm rollout plans and aligns with company’s technology roadmap 
• Identify and onboard best in class vendor partners and contractors; Manage contractors, manufacturers, electricians and designers to ensure all requirements are met, standardize installations, and de-risk supply chains for critical equipment 
• Integrate next generation automation and controls technologies, robotics and hardware, and sensors 
• Build farm commissioning SOPs and manage commissioning of farm and research facilities to ensure that all controls are functioning properly; oversee maintenance and troubleshooting activities following commissioning 
• Ensure that all safety, code, and compliance standards are met in all jurisdictions of operation 
• Manage documentation of systems and code base 
• Manage budgets and timelines within a very fast paced, high ownership environment 
• Hire and manage team of automation controls engineers as the company expands 
• Develop and share executive level controls engineering roadmaps with engineering functional leaders and the broader executive team 
• Build and execute resource allocation plans for the controls function to ensure emergency coverage and redundancy for indoor farms that operate 24/7/365

Who will love this job: Individuals who identify with our Core Values and exhibit skills within those values will thrive at Oishii. 

• One Team, One Fight!
  • Ability to quickly shift priorities to meet deadlines and effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, clearly, concisely and with purpose at various levels of the organization. 
  • Ability to work cross functionally at all levels including across locations, and collaborate with a focus on supporting & understanding the evolving business needs of a startup environment. 
  • Ability to lead through others and develop teams with a diverse level of experience to succeed.  
• Focus.
  • Ability to remove obstacles in order to prioritize which could include problem solving, working through ambiguity and using fact based or sound judgment in the absence of process or policy. We are building it, but need to manage through the process with good judgment and a bias for action.  
  • Ability to synthesize information quickly to aid in the troubleshooting process. 
• GSD (Get Sh** Done!)
  • Possessing an entrepreneurial mindset with the tenacity to develop ideas, process, and policy and implement them rapidly.
  • Capable of prioritizing tasks and  considering the resources available when doing so.
  • A bias for action! Ability to hold yourself accountable and take ownership of driving results that impact company outcomes.
  • Track record of effectively handling complex employee relations issues, and addressing sensitive information and difficult situations with tact, discretion, and confidentiality.

What we look for in a Director of Controls Engineering :

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation, or related field.
• 10+ years in industrial automation, controls engineering, or complex manufacturing environments, with 7+ years of experience in engineering leadership roles overseeing multi-site or enterprise-level operations.
• Deep expertise with PLCs (Allen Bradley required), SCADA, building management systems, industrial networking, and industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, BACnet, OPC UA, MQTT).
• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical systems, including medium/low-voltage distribution, switchgears, and electrical codes.
• Working knowledge of industrial refrigeration and dehumidification systems.
• Proven success in leading electrical/controls on large capital projects, including design, procurement, installation, and commissioning of electrical and automation systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional engineering teams and collaborate closely with operations, R&D, software, and executive leadership. 
• Ability to work onsite in Phillipsburg NJ with international travel as needed.

Perks at Oishii:

• Compensation: $165,000-$175,000 with Equity 
• Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Roth & Traditional)
• EAP Access
• 100% Employer Paid Life Insurance & Long Term Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental leave, Paid Time Off & Paid Sick Time
• Paid Training & 7 Paid Holidays
• Office social events including happy hours, parties, and community service projects
• Employee activity groups for basketball players, Yoga Enthusiasts, runners…

About Us: 

Oishii (which means “delicious” in Japanese) is the innovative company behind the world’s largest indoor vertical strawberry farm. On a mission to transform the agriculture industry through the power of smart farming, Oishii harmoniously marries nature with state-of-the-art technology to create the ideal elements—rain, air, heat, light, nourishment and natural bee pollination—for growing in-season produce all year round. Oishii’s beloved Omakase, Koyo and Nikko Berries are grown in pesticide-free vertical farms in the U.S. and proudly bear the Non-GMO Project Verified seal. Founded in 2016, Oishii’s investors include SPARX Group, NTT, Yaskawa, McWin Capital Partners, and Resilience Reserve. Oishii was recognized as one of Fast Company’s “World’s Most Innovative Companies” in 2022.

Today, Oishii operates farms and research facilities across the United States and Japan, bringing together expertise from both countries to advance the future of agriculture. As a Japanese-founded company with global ambitions, we are building a world-class team dedicated to transforming how premium produce is grown and delivered. For more information, visit www.oishii.com.