Electrical Controls and Automation Engineer – Ellsworth Creamery
Company Name: Ellsworth Creamery
Position Title: Electrical Controls and Automation Engineer
Location: Ellsworth, Wisconsin (with travel to multiple dairy plant facilities)
Industry: Dairy / Food Manufacturing / Industrial Automation
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt
Department: Maintenance (Reports to Senior Manager – Maintenance, Reliability & Manufacturing Network Strategy)
Compensation & Benefits: Competitive pay + Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA options, Accident & Critical Illness Insurance, EAP, 401(k) with company match, PTO, Holiday Pay (eligible after 30 days of employment)
Apply Link: Apply Here – Ellsworth Creamery Careers Portal
Official Site: Ellsworth Creamery
Job/Company Description
Ellsworth Creamery, a name synonymous with quality dairy craftsmanship since 1910, is currently seeking an Electrical Controls and Automation Engineer to join its dedicated team. Located in Ellsworth, Wisconsin, the creamery is at the heart of a cooperative of local farmers who have worked together for generations to create world-famous cheese products. This role is an opportunity to combine advanced engineering expertise with the artistry of cheese manufacturing, ensuring production efficiency, safety, and innovation within a heritage-rich industry.
The position is classified as Exempt, Full-Time, and falls under the Maintenance Department. Reporting directly to the Senior Manager of Maintenance, Reliability, and Manufacturing Network Strategy, the role will focus on designing, programming, and maintaining electrical and automation systems across multiple facilities.
The successful candidate will be deeply involved in optimizing cheese manufacturing processes such as pasteurization, curd handling, whey separation, and packaging. This role requires a balance of hands-on technical expertise and strategic thinking, as the engineer will not only troubleshoot and maintain existing systems but also lead continuous improvement projects aimed at advancing automation and efficiency.
Being on-call is a requirement, reflecting the critical nature of automation systems in food production. Candidates should be prepared for varying work hours and travel between multiple dairy plant environments. In return, Ellsworth Creamery offers a robust benefits package, opportunities for career growth, and the chance to work with a team that values tradition, teamwork, and excellence.
Company Introduction
Ellsworth Creamery has been a cornerstone of Wisconsin’s dairy heritage since its founding in 1910. For more than a century, the creamery has been committed to producing the highest quality dairy products while maintaining a deep connection with its community of farmers and customers. Known especially for its All Natural White Cheddar Cheese Curds — a beloved snack across the Midwest and beyond — Ellsworth Creamery has carved out a special place in America’s food culture.
The company operates as a cooperative, meaning local dairy farmers directly contribute to its success. This cooperative model ensures that farmers, employees, and customers all benefit from the organization’s growth. It also reinforces the sense of community and family that defines Ellsworth’s workplace culture. Many employees have built lifelong careers here, with tenures of 10, 20, and even 50 years being common.
In addition to cheese curds, Ellsworth Creamery produces cheddar cheese curd crumbles and sweet whey powder, which are distributed to a wide range of customers. The company continues to grow and innovate while staying true to its roots of quality, tradition, and community.
What sets Ellsworth apart is its balance of heritage and innovation. While it takes pride in crafting traditional dairy products, the creamery also invests in advanced automation and modern production systems to stay competitive in today’s market. This blend makes the company an exciting place for engineers and technical professionals to contribute, where they can directly see the impact of their expertise on products enjoyed by millions.
Above all, Ellsworth Creamery is more than just a workplace. It’s a family. Employees are valued not only for their skills but also for their contributions to a shared mission: creating award-winning dairy products with care, consistency, and pride.
Job Description
As an Electrical Controls and Automation Engineer at Ellsworth Creamery, you will be responsible for the design, programming, maintenance, and optimization of automation systems used in cheese manufacturing. This position demands both technical depth and adaptability, as you’ll be supporting a wide variety of dairy processes — from milk pasteurization to cheese curd packaging.
Key duties include programming and maintaining PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) systems that run processing and packaging lines. You’ll troubleshoot control systems, sensors, instrumentation, and electrical components to ensure the continuous, reliable operation of equipment. Specific processes you’ll support include pasteurization, curd handling, whey separation, pressing, aging, and packaging.
Collaboration is central to the role. You’ll work closely with operations teams to ensure production efficiency, partner with maintenance staff to resolve issues quickly, and coordinate with quality teams to ensure compliance with food safety standards. Documentation is another key part of the job — you’ll update wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, and AutoCAD drawings to reflect system changes.
The engineer will also play a major role in continuous improvement. This includes implementing preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, leading automation upgrades, and introducing new technologies to optimize performance. You’ll also help specify and procure control hardware such as PLCs, drives, motors, VFDs, and instrumentation.
Because Ellsworth Creamery operates in a highly regulated industry, strict adherence to FDA, USDA, SQF, HACCP, and GMP compliance standards is required. The engineer will ensure all work aligns with electrical safety standards such as NFPA 70E and NEC while also protecting food safety in the production environment.
This role is best suited for someone passionate about both engineering and food manufacturing. It combines advanced industrial automation with the unique challenges of dairy production, offering daily variety, problem-solving opportunities, and the chance to innovate within a traditional craft.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet the following qualifications:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Experience: At least 3 years of experience in industrial automation, ideally within food or dairy manufacturing.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, or equivalent).
- Experience with HMI/SCADA systems, VFDs, industrial instrumentation, and networks (EtherNet/IP, Modbus).
- Familiarity with AutoCAD Electrical or similar tools for electrical documentation.
- Knowledge of dairy manufacturing equipment, such as separators, vats, and pasteurizers.
- Understanding of automation systems for traceability and batch management.
- Compliance Knowledge: Strong understanding of electrical safety codes (NFPA 70E, NEC) and food safety requirements (HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA, SQF).
- Soft Skills: Strong problem-solving, troubleshooting, and communication skills; ability to collaborate across departments.
- Preferred: Experience with MES (Manufacturing Execution Systems) or data acquisition systems in food processing.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift at least 50 pounds.
- Must hold a valid driver’s license.
- Extensive use of computers for programming and documentation.
- Ability to pass a drug and alcohol screen as well as a background check.
Work Environment / Conditions
- Varying work hours depending on plant needs.
- Multi-dairy plant environments with multiple levels.
- Travel between facilities as required.
- Work will take place in food plant environments, requiring strict adherence to safety and sanitation policies.
- Exposure to a variety of conditions, including different temperatures, wet/dry areas, and all-weather conditions.
Benefits Package
Ellsworth Creamery provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees, available from the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Benefits include:
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
- Health Savings Account (HSA) options
- Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and free resources
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and holiday pay
This package reflects the company’s commitment to supporting its employees not just at work, but also in their personal lives.
Location
Ellsworth Creamery
Ellsworth, Wisconsin
Located in the heart of Wisconsin’s dairy country, Ellsworth is a small, welcoming community known as the “Cheese Curd Capital of Wisconsin.” Working here means being part of a tight-knit town with strong agricultural roots while still enjoying proximity to larger metropolitan areas like Minneapolis–St. Paul.
Last Date
The application deadline for this position is September 15, 2025. Candidates are encouraged to apply early to ensure consideration.
Apply Link
Interested candidates can apply directly through the Ellsworth Creamery careers portal:
👉 Apply Here – Ellsworth Creamery Careers Portal
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