Controls Engineer
About the job
- A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equivalent and a minimum of 4 years of experience designing and implementing industrial control and automation systems.
- Strong knowledge of the Rockwell Automation control platform, including CompactLogix and Micro 800 programmable logic controllers, PanelView 5000 and 800 human-machine interfaces, CCW, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, FactoryTalk View SE/ME software, PowerFlex drives, Kinetix servo systems, and Ethernet/IP industrial networks.
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required to support project execution, customer installations, commissioning, and technical support activities.
- Familiarity with applicable electrical and safety standards, including NFPA 70 (NEC), NFPA 79, UL 508A, CSA, and IEC.
- Proficiency with enterprise resource planning/material requirements planning systems for managing bills of materials, inventory, purchasing, and engineering change orders.
- Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and effectively to stakeholders.
- Work closely with customers, the sales team, project managers, procurement, and engineering teams to understand application requirements and develop effective automation solutions.
- Specify and select electrical and control system components in compliance with IEC, NFPA, UL, CSA, and applicable safety standards.
- Develop detailed bills of materials and component specifications.
- Design electrical control systems, including schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and network architecture using AutoCAD Electrical.
- Build electrical control panels.
- Program, commission, and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, variable frequency drives, motion control systems, and Ethernet networks, primarily using Rockwell Automation platforms as well as Omron, Lenze, and Nidec technologies.
- Conduct factory acceptance testing before shipment and site acceptance testing at customer sites.
- Create technical documentation, including user manuals, operating procedures, electrical drawings, troubleshooting guides, and maintenance documentation.
- Provide remote technical support to customers and field service technicians by diagnosing and resolving electrical, controls, and automation-related issues.
- Participate in UL and CSA inspections and ensure designs comply.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance machine performance, reliability, and safety.
- Collaborate with machine designers, purchasing, and service teams throughout all phases of a project, from concept development through final commissioning.
- Maintain project schedules and provide regular status updates to stakeholders while ensuring engineering deliverables are completed on time.
- Travel to customer facilities, vendor locations, and tradeshows as required to support project execution, installations, commissioning activities, and customer support.
About the company
Reiser provides customized food processing and packaging equipment, serving meat, poultry, seafood, prepared foods, and bakery clients. It sells machinery and offers extensive parts availability, maintenance, and support services to ensure equipment runs smoothly. Its products are implemented as integrated solutions tailored to each customer’s needs, combining equipment with ongoing service rather than just a one-off sale. The company differentiates itself through a long industry track record, deep technical expertise, and a customer-centric approach that couples equipment sales with continuous service and customization across a wide range of food sectors. The goal is to help customers operate efficiently and reliably by delivering tailored equipment solutions along with comprehensive parts, maintenance, and support.
Company Size
201-500
Company Stage
N/A
Total Funding
N/A
Headquarters
Canton, Texas
Founded
1945
Get referred to Reiser
See people who can refer or advise you
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- April 28, 2026 pet-food trends favor Reiser’s flexible lines for fresh-protein and SKUs.
- Reiser’s 2026 trade-show slate keeps sales teams in front of meat and bakery buyers.
- Reiser’s October 2025 Ross IN1100 tray sealer strengthens its automated packaging portfolio.
What critics are saying
- Reiser faces ULMA Packaging, GEA, and Vemag, which outspend on automation and service.
- Custom line engineering ties revenue to delayed customer capex decisions and long qualification cycles.
- A failed ULMA-driven UK expansion leaves Reiser boxed into mature meat-processing replacement sales.
What makes Reiser unique
- Reiser integrates processing, packaging, and after-sales service across meat, bakery, and pet-food lines.
- Reiser pairs proprietary Ross, Vemag, and Seydelmann equipment with customized production-line design.
- Reiser UK’s January 2026 leadership hire reinforces local customer support and application engineering.
Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?
Benefits
Performance Bonus
Company News
Pet food manufacturing shifts toward flexibility, value-driven growth. During his Petfood Forum Tech Talk, Reiser's Paul McKeithan outlines how premiumization, fresh protein and new formats are reshaping processing operations. April 28, 2026 Paul McKeithan with Reiser said the rise of alternative formats - including air-dried, freeze-dried and high-pressure processed products - is influencing facility design and equipment selection. Lisa Cleaver Pet food manufacturers are navigating a shift from volume-based production to value-driven growth, as evolving consumer expectations reshape operations across the sector, said Paul McKeithan, senior vice president of business development at Reiser, during his Tech Talk on April 28 at Petfood Forum 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri. During the session, "Market trends shaping the future of pet food manufacturing," McKeithan said trends such as premiumization, health and functionality are accelerating innovation while creating new manufacturing challenges. "We have the humanization accelerating margin opportunity," McKeithan said. "But you're also looking at health and functionality parts of the products, and they're driving innovation." That shift is forcing processors to rethink traditional high-volume kibble systems in favor of more flexible production models capable of handling smaller batches and a wider range of stock-keeping units. "If you go back to kibble manufacturing, those operations are standard in place, large equipment, high volume," he said. "Now market trends are looking for more SKUs, and that creates challenges because you're looking for lines that are more flexible." From grain science to meat science. A key driver of change is the growing emphasis on protein and fresh or minimally processed ingredients. McKeithan noted the industry is increasingly moving from grain-focused formulations toward meat-based products, influencing both research and development and plant operations. "You'll see the conversation go from grain science to meat science," he said. "What form do you get your protein in? Are you starting to deal with raw, fresh, frozen type protein, and how do your manufacturers deal with that?" Handling raw and fresh proteins introduces new complexities, including separation of processes, temperature control and equipment sanitation. McKeithan said manufacturers must evaluate whether proteins are processed as powders, frozen blocks or fresh inputs, and how those formats affect production flow. Other considerations. The rise of alternative formats - including air-dried, freeze-dried and high-pressure processed products - is also influencing facility design and equipment selection, said McKeithan. Packaging is also evolving alongside formulation trends. McKeithan pointed to increased adoption of formats commonly used in human food, such as trays, pouches and thermoformed packs, replacing or supplementing traditional bags. "You're trying to capture that human view of a product," he said, adding that packaging flexibility is critical to support frequent product changeovers and varied formats. Convenience and portion control are emerging considerations as well, particularly in fresh and frozen categories. McKeithan said manufacturers are experimenting with formats such as chubs, patties and meatball-style portions to simplify feeding for consumers. "How does the consumer handle your product?" he said. "That piece is becoming very critical, and it has impact on the manufacturing space as well." These shifts are prompting closer collaboration between R&D and operations teams. McKeithan encouraged companies to involve manufacturing early in product development and to draw from existing food industry technologies rather than building entirely new systems. "One of the biggest shifts is the amount of meat, and raw meat coming into the industry," he said. "The good news is that equipment exists. We don't have to reinvent the wheel, but we do have to explore ways to adopt that into the pet food space." Unlock Personalized Content! Sign up and the recommendations below will be more personalized for you!