Job Description:
Based at OH, NE, CA, AR
Travel up to 50% to support projects
Ready to shape the future of digital manufacturing? We are looking for a Digitalization & Controls Project Engineer to lead the integration of advanced automation, Industry 4.0 technologies, and robust controls networks across our manufacturing footprint.
In this role, you won't just keep the lights on—you will run the show on multi-million dollar capital investment projects, researching and implementing cutting-edge automation solutions from technical scoping to final handover. If you want to bridge the gap between traditional plant-floor controls and modern Factory IT, this is your next step.
What are we looking for?Minimum:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering AND
- 5+ years’ experience in a comparable technical position OR
- 10+ Controls experience within the Food and Beverage industry
- In-depth knowledge of industrial low-voltage electrical systems, instrumentation, PLCs, and HMI/SCADA interfaces (e.g., Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).
- Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)/Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) systems, Factory IT Systems (physical/virtual servers, networks), and Factory Cyber Security is a plus
- Demonstrated success managing capital projects (scheduling, managing contractors, and controlling budgets).
- Proven ability to work in a team environment and on high performing teams
- Strong communication, listening, and influencing skills
- Ability to travel up to 50% to support plant commissioning, critical project startups, and technical handovers.
Preferred:
- Electrical or Electronics Engineering or other related electrical or controls degree
- 5+ years’ experience in a comparable technical position within the following industries: food, beverage, pharmaceutical or related
- Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or MOM platforms.
- Familiarity with Factory IT Environments (virtualized servers, industrial networking protocols, and factory cybersecurity frameworks).
- Technology Research, Evaluation, and Selection: Research and evaluate emerging digitalization and automation technologies to identify solutions suitable for specific project requirements in collaboration with regional and global engineering.
- Delivering several capital investment projects simultaneously, from providing technical scoping with internal customer and business stakeholders, through design with 3rd parties, to Project Closure.
- System Integration and Implementation: Oversee the integration and implementation of digitalization and advanced automation systems within existing manufacturing infrastructure. Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to ensure seamless deployment and adherence to project timelines.
- Collaboration and Automation: Collaborate with controls engineers, and IT/automation engineers to tailor solutions for optimal performance to meet the unique requirements of manufacturing processes.
- Compliance and Standards Adherence: Ensure digitalization and automation projects comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, safety, and quality guidelines.
- Risk Management: Identify and manage project risks associated with digitalization and automation initiatives. Mitigate potential issues and resolve project-related challenges to ensure successful project delivery.
- Handover to Operations: Facilitate the transition of completed projects to operations and technical teams. Ensure digitalization and automation systems are properly commissioned, tested, and handed over for ongoing maintenance and support.
- Stakeholder Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Provide regular updates on project status, milestones, and deliverables.
- Budget and Resource Management: Manage project budgets and resources effectively to ensure cost-efficient execution of digitalization and automation projects. Monitor expenditures, allocate resources, and track project progress against financial targets.
- Training and Knowledge Transfer: Provide training and support to end-users and operational staff on using and maintaining digitalization and automation systems. Facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development to ensure successful adoption and utilization of new technologies.
- Vendor and Supplier Management: Collaborate with external vendors and suppliers to procure hardware, software, and services required for digitalization and automation projects. Negotiate contracts, manage vendor relationships, and ensure deliverables meet quality standards and specifications.
- Ability to have influence across 14 different sites across the Pet Nutrition North American network
- Work with over 130,000 like-minded and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
- Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
- Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in-house Mars University.
- An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.
Mars does not sponsor visas for this role.
This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.
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Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- 5+ years' experience in a comparable technical position
- 10+ Controls experience within the Food and Beverage industry
- In depth knowledge of industrial low voltage electrical systems, instrumentation, PLC, HMI/SCADA and industrial control networks
- Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)/Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) systems, Factory IT Systems and Factory Cyber Security is a plus
- Fundamental knowledge of project management
- Proven ability to work in a team environment and on high performing teams
- Strong communication, listening, and influencing skills
- Ability to travel up to 50%
Mars Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Mars and has not been reviewed or approved by Mars.
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Healthcare Strength — The benefits package is positioned as comprehensive, with broad medical coverage and additional protections like life insurance and short- and long-term disability. Mental health support is emphasized, including free mental health services and wellbeing programming under initiatives such as Mars Be Well.
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Parental & Family Support — Paid parental leave is highlighted as market-leading in the U.S., with an example of 18 weeks fully paid for both parents. Additional family-related leave types such as sick time for caregiving and bereavement leave are also described as part of the overall package.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings are described as strong, including 401(k) matching (with a 6% match cited) and pension plans in some cases. The broader package also references retirement savings options and contributions aligned to local market practice, supporting long-term financial security.
Mars Insights
What We Do
For more than a century, Mars, Incorporated has been driven by the belief that the world we want tomorrow starts with how we do business today. This idea is at the center of who we have always been as a global, family-owned business. Today, Mars is transforming, innovating and evolving in ways that affirm our commitment to making a positive impact on the world around us. Across our diverse and expanding portfolio of confectionery, food, and petcare products and services, we employ 133,000 dedicated Associates who are all moving in the same direction: forward. With $40 billion in annual sales, we produce some of the world’s best-loved brands including DOVE®, EXTRA®, M&M’s®, MILKY WAY®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, ORBIT®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, SKITTLES®, WHISKAS®, COCOAVIA®, and 5™; and take care of half of the world’s pets through our pet health services AniCura, Banfield Pet Hospitals™, BluePearl®, Linnaeus, Pet Partners™, and VCA™. We know we can only be truly successful if our partners and the communities in which we operate prosper as well. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire our Associates to take action every day to help create a world tomorrow in which the planet, its people and pets can thrive.
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