Automation Intern

Company Description

At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago. 

We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands—Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, and Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few—there’s nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it. 

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks. 

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks. 

Job Description

Come join us during the Summer of 2027 as an Automation Intern in Minong, WI. The Automation Intern will be responsible for learning and contributing to multiple projects utilizing a variety of automation technologies and platforms. These technologies are deployed for the control of automated manufacturing processes. You will have the opportunity to learn and work on projects from the design and development phase to field installation and commissioning. Essential duties and responsibilities will be completed in direct partnership with the Engineering Team. 

**ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES**: 

• Electrical Design and 2-D layouts – especially as it relates to facility as-builts (AutoCad Typical) 
• Project documentation and equipment design specifications 
• PLC Programming (Allen Bradley Typical) 
• HMI Application Design (Rockwell, Wonderware, and GE Intellution Typical) 
• System Site Commissioning 
• Facility Operator and Technician Training 
• Project Warranty Support 
• Network communications including communications with manufacturing equipment using VPN. 
• Perform design and engineering functions in accordance with accepted practices and company standards. 
• Prepare project scopes of work, preliminary design concepts, and cost estimates for small projects. Assist in gathering field data and preparing project specifications. 
• Develop high-quality, error-free industrial software programs in keeping with the defined project requirements. 
• Coordinate design with other members of the project team. 
• Prepare scopes of work, bills of material, specifications, cost estimates, and other necessary projects documents. 
• Prepare project correspondence as required. 
• Maintain positive client relationships on projects assigned. 

To qualify for this position an individual must be able to partner with the Engineering team, work to learn each of the primary tasks and responsibilities and meet the educational requirements. The individual must have strong communication skills, be capable of maintaining customer relationships, and carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. 

Qualifications

• Pursuing a 2 year or 4 year education in Engineering, Automation technologies, Controls related field or similar.  
• General understanding of Automation Control technologies and equipment 
• Basic understanding of manufacturing equipment and food processing systems is a plus 
• Understanding of basic electrical circuits 
• Software application experience utilizing Windows operating systems and Microsoft Office applications MS Office Suite 
• General understanding of PLC programming with troubleshooting capabilities 
• General understanding of HMI applications such as Rockwell software, GE Intellution, and/or Wonderware software applications 
• Visual Basic and Database Programming is a plus 
• Strong written and oral communication skills 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. 
• Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 
• This position must also be able to perform industrial field work which may include hazardous locations, ladders, and stairs  

Additional Information

The hiring range for this role is $23 to $25 per hour for a Bachelor's degree candidate and $30 per hour for a Master's degree candidate. Actual wages will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. 

LINK SNACKS CORE VALUES:

Company values: Be Real, Speed Matters, Stewardship, Relationship Driven, Self-Discipline, and Show Awesome Character.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the Team Member is regularly required to sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The Team Member is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The Team Member must occasionally lift and/or more up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant/office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet/slippery floors. However, the vast amount of work is conducted in a climate-controlled office. Travel may be required.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:
Jack Link’s provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.

E-VERIFY:
Jack Link’s is a participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees.  For information about the E-Verify program, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Disclaimer:

This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by employees in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of employees performing this role.