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This position has closed. Schreiber Foods removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Controls Engineer

Schreiber Foods · Richland Center, WI · Full time

Posted Aug 18, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Walk me through a controls project you owned from start to finish. How did you manage cost, schedule and performance along the way?

What they are checking: Whether they can run electrical and controls projects against real commitments rather than just do the technical part.

How have you improved uptime or efficiency on a line through controls changes, and how did you prove the gain?

What they are checking: Whether they measure results, since the role exists to improve productivity, quality and capacity.

Tell me about a new technology you brought into a plant. How did you decide it was worth it?

What they are checking: Whether they evaluate emerging tools with a clear business case rather than chasing novelty.

This role is fully on-site in Richland Center. What draws you to working in a plant setting in a smaller Wisconsin community?

What they are checking: Whether they have thought through the location and on-site nature of the job and will stay.

What would you do

A filling line keeps faulting out on third shift and nobody can tell you why. How would you track down the cause?

What they are checking: Their troubleshooting method on a live food production line, including using PLC data and talking to operators.

Part of this role is coaching plant maintenance techs on electrical automation. How would you teach a mechanic with no PLC background to troubleshoot from the HMI?

What they are checking: Whether they can build skills in others patiently, which keeps the plant running when they are not there.

You are managing an electrical contractor on a capital project and their work is behind and sloppy. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can hold outside contractors to standards on safety, quality and schedule without damaging the working relationship.

About the work

Which PLC platforms and HMI software have you programmed, and what is a piece of logic you are proud of?

What they are checking: The depth of their hands-on programming, not just familiarity with the names of platforms.

What safety standards matter most when you are working on automated equipment, and how do you make sure lockout and machine guarding are done right?

What they are checking: Whether safety is part of how they design and work, as the posting makes it their responsibility.

How does working in a food plant change the way you design or install controls equipment compared with other industries?

What they are checking: Awareness of sanitation, washdown and food safety demands on enclosures, sensors and wiring.

How do you handle program changes and backups so a bad edit does not take a line down at 2 a.m.?

What they are checking: Their discipline around change management and version control on production PLCs.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at Schreiber Foods from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

Practice this out loud

The full job description

As published by Schreiber Foods.

Job Category: Engineering Job Family: Systems & Controls Engineering Job Description: The purpose of this position is to provide productivity, quality, and capacity improvements within an automated food manufacturing environment through control systems optimization, maintenance automation training, production support, and execution of capital projects. Additionally, this individual will be responsible for ensuring that engineering and safety standards are followed, evaluating and applying new and emerging technologies, and leveraging an external view to obtain superior business results. We are hiring for two openings in this role. This role is 100% on-site at our Richland Center, Wisconsin manufacturing facility. Relocation Benefits: Receive a $10,000 relocation bonus PLUS a generous relocation package if relocating more than 50 miles for this position What you’ll do • Execute Electrical, Instrumentation, and Controls projects against commitments (cost, schedule, and performance) while adhering to Schreiber’s Enterprise Project Management (EPM) principles • Coach and train plant maintenance team members on electrical automation topics • Manage and oversee performance of electrical and engineering contractors • Improve production efficiency and uptime through identification and implementation of controls optimization opportunities • Proactively monitor and maintain plant control systems including: network health, controller functionality, obsolesce management • Establish and maintain electrical, automation, and controls related standards • Develop Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Human-Machine Interface (HMI), Manufacturing Execution System (MES), and data reporting/dashboard solutions utilizing scripting and database systems to realize performance and safety improvements through operations systems. • Together with the leadership team, ensures compliance with Food Safety and Food Quality Plans, in addition to customer requirements. Interprets and communicates customer requirements to plant production and/or support groups. Establishes and Audits PCPs, CCPs and Standard Operating Procedures to define and monitor processes, to ensure customer requirements are met. Reviews incidents during which the procedures are not met, and determines appropriate corrective action for partners failing to follow standard procedures. What you need to succeed • Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering or related fields. • 3+ years of experience in electrical control system programming, electrical system design, power distribution, project management, and equipment installations. • Relevant industrial co-op/intern or other experience. • Fundamental knowledge and familiarity of NEC, NFPA70E, and electrical theory. • Proven ability in finding issues, conceptualizing practical solutions, implementing through to completion. • Proficiency with reading and understanding electrical drawings. • Proficiency and aptitude with computer and automation programming. • Effective communication skills with the ability to discuss technical issues in a business environment. • Experience in creating flow charts, construction drawings, or other graphical methods to communicate intent to internal and external audiences. • The ability to be effective working in a cross-functional team environment. • Willing and able to occasionally work and be on call during non-typical hours (e.g. nights, holidays, and weekends). Preferred Qualifications • 10+ years of experience with electrical control system programming, electrical system design, power distribution, project management, and equipment installations. • Experience with dairy processing and packaging applications. • Programming experience with Rockwell Logix 5000 PLCs, motion control, PanelView HMIs, and Ignition SCADA. • Proven leadership experience in a manufacturing environment. • Experience managing direct reports. • Expertise across multiple technologies and ability to effectively provide project work direction to a broad range of team members. Eligible partners will receive: • Get not one, but TWO retirement benefits. When you join our employee-owned company, you’ll be part of our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) from day one. In addition to an 8% 401(k) match into the ESOP, Schreiber will contribute an extra amount – about 8% of your earnings – toward your retirement every year. That’s a company contribution of around 16% in retirement savings annually. That’s hard to beat! • Earn bonus pay. You’ll have an opportunity to earn incentive pay twice a year when we meet our company goals. • Ready to make a move? Receive a $10,000 relocation bonus PLUS a generous relocation package if relocating more than 50 miles for a U.S. Salaried position. • Childcare costs . Get up to $5,000 annually to help you with the cost of childcare. Monthly contributions toward childcare expenses, including independent babysitters. • Earn extra money for taking care of yourself. Eligible partners can earn a Wellness Incentive and receive an employer‑funded Lifestyle Spending Account (LSA) to use on fitness, mental health, and other lifestyle expenses. • Pursue development that’s relevant to your role, career goals and the company. Plus, we offer tuition reimbursement if you want to further your education to grow in your role at Schreiber. • Get access to medical, prescription drug, dental and vision benefits starting day one. This includes an onsite nurse and mental health counselor. • Experience caring like you’ve never experienced it before. We have a program that’s completely organized by and for other partners who need extra help. It’s called Partners Helping Partners. We have hundreds of examples of partners organizing fundraisers to help out others going through a hard time. • Benefits that support your whole life. Visit Schreiber – Care for you to see everything Schreiber offers to support your health, wellbeing, and financial future. Sound like a company you’d like to be a part of? Click Apply . Need extra assistance with the application process? Contact recruiting@schreiberfoods.com or call 920-437-7601. ​For positions that require any amount of travel: Valid driver's license, auto insurance (at least state minimum- more might be required), acceptable driving record per Schreiber Foods discretion, and vehicle that will ensure applicant can meet the travel necessities of the position are required. Schreiber requires that an employee have authorization to work in the country in which the role is based. In the event, an applicant does not have current work authorization, Schreiber will determine, in its sole discretion, whether to sponsor an individual for work authorization. However, based on immigration requirements, not all roles are suitable for sponsorship. Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. Want to be alerted of new openings? Sign in and click the Job Alerts button in the upper-right corner to create a job alert.

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