Senior Strategic Automation Project Manager

Smithfield Foods

. Develop and execute a multi-year automation engineering roadmap supporting facility expansion, equipment modernization, advanced manufacturing initiatives, and emerging technology evaluation .

Posted 10/14/2026full-timeRemote • United StatesSenior💰 $115,000 - $150,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in automation engineering, project management, and team leadership, with a strong focus on industrial automation systems, controls design, and capital project execution. Proficient in developing automation solutions and managing cross-functional teams to achieve operational excellence.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Automation EngineeringProject ManagementIndustrial Automation SystemsControls DesignTeam Leadership

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

PLC ProgrammingSCADA SystemsRobotics IntegrationElectrical Schematics InterpretationControls Logic DevelopmentData Collection SystemsIndustrial Communication ProtocolsBudgeting and SchedulingRisk ManagementMachine Vision Systems

Soft Skills

CoachingMentoringLeadership

Tools & Technologies

Allen-Bradley ControlLogixSiemens TIA PortalIgnitionWonderwareFactoryTalkIndustrial EthernetOT Network DesignManufacturing Data SystemsIndustrial IoT Platforms

Certifications & Qualifications

PMP CertificationPE License

Industry Keywords

Automation Engineering RoadmapCapital Project ManagementEquipment ModernizationAdvanced Manufacturing InitiativesEmerging Technology EvaluationControls ArchitectureElectrical Power DistributionEquipment OEM ManagementSystem Integration OversightCapital Planning

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

IoTPMP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Develop and execute a multi-year automation engineering roadmap supporting facility expansion, equipment modernization, advanced manufacturing initiatives, and emerging technology evaluation
Partner with Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, IT, OEMs, system integrators, and external stakeholders to define requirements, establish project scope, and implement automation solutions
Lead automation and controls modernization initiatives involving PLCs, robotics, motion control, machine vision, industrial software platforms, and integrated production systems
Lead automation and capital engineering projects from concept through commissioning and closeout, managing budgets, schedules, resources, procurement, risks, and overall project performance
Oversee controls architecture, electrical, instrumentation, networking, SCADA, HMI, automation system design, testing, validation, and standardization
Coordinate engineering consultants, OEMs, contractors, system integrators, and internal project teams
Develop business cases, capital requests, ROI analyses, project justifications, and executive-level updates
Monitor performance against scope, budget, safety, quality, and schedule objectives
Drive employee development through coaching, mentoring, and leadership
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related technical discipline and 8+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required
2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership
Strong understanding of industrial automation systems including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, instrumentation, VFDs, motion control, robotics, and industrial networks
Basic coding and scripting experience, including software integration, databases, data collection systems, APIs, and industrial communication protocols
Experience with automation project execution including controls design, equipment procurement, installation management, commissioning, and startup support
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, controls narratives, and automation architecture documentation
Strong understanding of capital project management principles, engineering design reviews, budgeting, scheduling, and risk management
Ability to travel up to 50% to support engineering initiatives
PMP certification, PE license, or equivalent project management and engineering credentials preferred
Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and Siemens TIA Portal experience
Ignition, Wonderware, FactoryTalk, or similar SCADA platforms
Robotics integration experience with Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, or Yaskawa
Machine vision and inspection systems
Industrial Ethernet and OT network design
Equipment OEM management and system integration oversight
Electrical power distribution and control panel design exposure
Manufacturing data systems and Industrial IoT platforms
Capital planning and engineering portfolio management
Working knowledge of PLC programming and controls logic development in Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or similar automation systems

Benefits

Comp & perks

Relocation Package Available
Comprehensive total rewards package
Learning, collaboration, and innovation opportunities
Employee development, mentoring, and coaching