Project and Automation Engineer

Making Better Happen

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the windy coast where Sweden and Denmark meet.

From our success in Scandinavia, we've grown into the world's leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4000 people all across the globe.

We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra ­ creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it's not just food - we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.

Every one of us works towards our shared purpose: Making Better Happen™.

Everything we do is about Making Better Happen together.

Join nearly 4,000 like-minded colleagues globally and build a better future with us.

Build a better future as a Automation Project Engineer in Louisville, KY

Compensation Range: $140,000 - $165,000

Possible Bonus: 7.5%

AAK Louisville

About The Role

The Automation Project Engineer is responsible for leading and supporting automation projects that improve safety, reliability, quality, efficiency, and throughput across manufacturing and operational processes. This role partners with operations, maintenance, engineering, vendors, and other cross-functional stakeholders to develop, implement, troubleshoot, and optimize automation systems, controls, and related technologies from concept through commissioning and sustained operation.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned automation projects from scope development through design, installation, startup, commissioning, and closeout.

Develop project requirements, specifications, schedules, budgets, and implementation plans in alignment with site priorities and business objectives.

Design, program, configure, and support automation and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, sensors, instrumentation, drives, robotics, and industrial networks as applicable.

Troubleshoot automation equipment, control logic, instrumentation, and communication issues to minimize downtime and improve system performance.

Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency, product quality, safety, reliability, and maintainability through automation and controls improvements.

Collaborate with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, IT/OT, and external vendors to ensure automation solutions are practical, reliable, and compliant.

Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including control narratives, functional specifications, drawings, I/O lists, test plans, operating procedures, and training materials.

Support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, startup, validation, and handoff activities for new or modified automation systems.

Ensure automation projects comply with applicable safety standards, company policies, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity expectations for industrial control systems.

Provide technical guidance and training to operations and maintenance personnel on new and existing automation systems.

Monitor system performance after implementation and recommend corrective actions, upgrades, or continuous improvement initiatives.

About You

Lead assigned automation projects from scope development through design, installation, startup, commissioning, and closeout.

Develop project requirements, specifications, schedules, budgets, and implementation plans in alignment with site priorities and business objectives.

Design, program, configure, and support automation and control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, sensors, instrumentation, drives, robotics, and industrial networks as applicable.

Troubleshoot automation equipment, control logic, instrumentation, and communication issues to minimize downtime and improve system performance.

Identify opportunities to improve process efficiency, product quality, safety, reliability, and maintainability through automation and controls improvements.

Collaborate with production, maintenance, engineering, quality, safety, IT/OT, and external vendors to ensure automation solutions are practical, reliable, and compliant.

Prepare and maintain technical documentation, including control narratives, functional specifications, drawings, I/O lists, test plans, operating procedures, and training materials.

Support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, startup, validation, and handoff activities for new or modified automation systems.

Ensure automation projects comply with applicable safety standards, company policies, regulatory requirements, and cybersecurity expectations for industrial control systems.

Provide technical guidance and training to operations and maintenance personnel on new and existing automation systems.

Monitor system performance after implementation and recommend corrective actions, upgrades, or continuous improvement initiatives.

In return AAK offer

Career paths, training and development, e-learning and tuition reimbursement programs offer potential for you to progress your future career

Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental and vision) starting date of hire

Health Savings Account with AAK annual contribution of $1,000-$1,500

We match 100% of the first 3% you contribute to your 401(k), and 50% of the next 3%

Free Life and Disability insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Supplemental Pet Insurance, Identity Theft Protection and Legal Insurance Plans

Discounts on travel, amusement parks, concerts, movies, and more

Celebrations, events, and activities on site and supporting our communities

Recognition incentives for service and peer to peer recognition

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialize in plant-based oils that are the value-adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is Customer Co-Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and a deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate & Confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant-based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and with the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or in employment and application for employment.