Job purpose

The primary responsibility of the Intelligent Systems Engineer (ISE) is developing, managing, and sustaining intelligent, connected, and data-driven systems across all Idahoan Foods facilities. The ISE will execute digital transformation initiatives by integrating automation, industrial data, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and smart technologies to improve safety, quality, reliability, operational efficiency, and decision-making.

The ISE will work closely with Operational Excellence, IT/OT, cybersecurity, plant maintenance, and operations leadership to ensure intelligent systems, control platforms, and data architectures meet internal and external expectations for performance, security, and scalability. This role bridges traditional automation and advanced digital capabilities to enable predictive, adaptive, and insight-driven manufacturing operations.

Main Responsibilities

• Work closely with Operational Excellence team to implement systems designed to support supply chain cost savings initiatives
• Develop and maintain standards for intelligent systems, smart manufacturing, and industrial data platforms across all Idahoan processing plants, including governance for AI, analytics, and digital solutions
• Design, deploy, and support AI and machine learning solutions for predictive maintenance, anomaly detection, quality prediction, yield optimization, and process performance improvement
• Architect and maintain secure industrial data ecosystems connecting PLCs, sensors, historians, MES, and enterprise or cloud analytics platforms
• Support and evolve PLC, HMI, and control systems toward adaptive, autonomous, and decision-support-enabled operation
• Monitor, maintain, and upgrade intelligent systems infrastructure, data pipelines, and supporting platforms
• Work with IT and Security Engineers to create and implement remediation plans for known vulnerabilities and ensure secure-by-design IT/OT integration
• Maintain intelligent systems architecture documentation including data flows, system diagrams, configurations, models, and security standards
• Implement and maintain monitoring, alerting, dashboards, and performance metrics for intelligent systems to reduce downtime and optimize cost savings initiatives.
• Support equipment start-ups, commissioning, system upgrades, and lifecycle management activities
• Develop technology obsolescence planning for automation, data, and intelligent systems
• Coordinate with and supervise outside contractors supporting digital and intelligent systems initiatives
• Communicate system status, insights, and improvement opportunities to plants, end users, and leadership
• Follow and enforce all GMP, food safety, cybersecurity, and plant safety rules

Qualifications/Required Skills

• Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Data Engineering, or related field. Master's degree highly desirable but not required. Experience delivering digital, data, AI, or intelligent system solutions in manufacturing or operations environments preferred.
• Technical Competency: Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and OT systems. Familiarity with AI/ML concepts, industrial data platforms, analytics, and visualization tools. Understanding of IT/OT integration, cybersecurity fundamentals, and system reliability.
• Have a working knowledge and implementation Inductive Automation SCADA (Ignition Perspective)
• Language Skills: Ability to read, comprehend, and compose instructions, correspondence, and technical documentation. Ability to conduct professional presentations and communicate complex technical concepts to operators, managers, and senior leaders.
• Reasoning Ability: Strong analytical, quantitative, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills. Ability to manage multiple initiatives simultaneously and make sound decisions with minimal direction.
• Interpersonal Skills: Team-oriented, flexible, and effective in cross-functional collaboration.

Other Details

Work Environment: The work environment includes office and manufacturing plant settings with approximately 10-15% travel. Individual must be flexible to occasionally work overtime, weekends, or holidays. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Alignment with Core Values of the Company

• Respect & Value Our People
• Stay in Front of Change While Reducing Costs
• Delight Our Customers
• Food Quality & Safety

Benefits
Bonus Potential
Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance for full-time team members
PTO (Vacation, Sick, and Holidays) for full-time team members
401K match
Company paid disability and life insurance policies
Paid maternity and parental leave

Approach to Flexible Work
The majority of our roles are primarily located in one of our manufacturing facilities or in our corporate office in Idaho Falls, Idaho, offering us the ability to effectively collaborate, innovate, and develop the next leaders of Idahoan Foods.

While we want to capitalize on purposeful in-person days, we also value flexibility and appreciate that it can mean something different to everyone based on your unique circumstances. That's why at Idahoan we focus on meaningful conversations between you and your manager to identify what works best for the business, team, your role, and your personal needs. Within our manufacturing workforce, we follow our process for time off requests and working within our attendance policy. Those same elements apply outside of manufacturing, but your position may offer some additional flexibility to work remotely at times.