Cresco Labs→
Sr. Automation and Controls Engineer at Cresco Labs in Chicago, IL
Skills
Job Description
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Cresco Labs is one of the largest public, vertically integrated, multistate operators in the cannabis industry. Our portfolio of in-house cultivated and manufactured brands features some of the highest quality, most awarded and most popular cannabis products in America. With dozens of locations nationwide, our owned and operated Sunnyside® dispensaries provide a welcoming, positive, judgement-free place to shop for anyone at any point on their cannabis journey.
Founded in 2013, Cresco Labs’ mission is to normalize and professionalize cannabis through our passionate employees. As stewards of the cannabis industry, our teams are constantly focused on supporting the needs of our fellow colleagues, consumers, customers, and communities alike. With a focus on Social Equity and Educational Development, our SEEDTM initiative ensures that our company reflects the communities in which we serve, ensuring equal opportunity for all to have the knowledge and resources to work in and own businesses in cannabis.
At Cresco Labs, we aim to revolutionize and lead the nation’s cannabis industry with a focus on quality and consistency of product, and to bring legitimacy to the industry with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.
If you’re interested in joining our mission, click the below links to join our team today!
MISSION STATEMENT
At Cresco, we aim to lead the nation’s cannabis industry with a focus on regulatory compliance, product consistency, and customer satisfaction. Our operations bring legitimacy to the cannabis industry by acting with the highest level of integrity, strictly adhering to regulations, and promoting the clinical efficacy of cannabis. As Cresco grows, we will operate with the same level of professionalism and precision in each new market we move in to.
JOB SUMMARY
The Automation & Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and supporting automation and control systems across Cresco Labs’ manufacturing, packaging and other areas. This role focuses on improving equipment reliability, throughput, and data visibility across lab and production environments, while ensuring compliance with regulatory and quality standards.
This position plays a key role in scaling operations by integrating new equipment, standardizing control systems across sites, and driving automation initiatives that enhance efficiency, consistency, and traceability.
This is a technical, people-leadership role with multiple direct and indirect reporting relationships.
CORE JOB DUTIES
Design, program, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems
Develop and support control systems for:
Extraction and post-processing equipment (hydrocarbon, ethanol, solventless)
Distillation, refinement, and formulation systems
Automated packaging lines (filling, capping, labeling, cartoning)
BAS and Environmental control systems.
Troubleshoot controls, instrumentation, and system integration issues to minimize downtime
Lead integration of new manufacturing and lab equipment into site-wide control architectures
Partner with Operations, Engineering, and Quality teams to ensure equipment meets performance and compliance requirements
Drive standardization of controls platforms, architectures, and naming conventions across multiple Cresco facilities
Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, and startup activities
Implement and maintain data collection systems for production metrics (OEE, OOE, throughput, downtime, yield)
Support development of dashboards and reporting tools for real-time operational visibility
Analyze system data to identify bottlenecks and drive continuous improvement initiatives
Develop and maintain technical documentation (control narratives, IO lists, P&IDs, SOPs)
Support validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ where applicable) in regulated environments
Lead or support automation scope for capital projects, expansions, and line upgrades
Develop technical specifications and coordinate with OEMs, system integrators, and vendors
Manage controls-related timelines, budgets, and deliverables
Support multi-site rollout of standardized automation solutions
Ability to travel as needed to sites across the U.S. (50% or more).
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field
7+ years of experience in industrial automation within manufacturing or process environments
Hands-on PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Rockwell Automation and/or other)
Experience with HMI/SCADA systems (FactoryTalk, Ignition, or similar)
Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Modbus, OPC)
Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills
Experience with automated packaging systems (filling, labeling, vision inspection)
Experience developing, reviewing, redlining, and approving electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic schematics.
Advanced MS Office skills.
CAD Modeling (e.g., AutoCAD / SolidWorks) preferred.
Knowledge of pharmaceutical guidelines (GMP, GDP, ASTM).
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, quantitative, writing, and communication skills.
In accordance with any local and state compensation laws, the compensation listed is the current estimated range for the position. Final offer details and future compensation may be determined by multiple factors including but not limited to, geographic location, market compensation data, skills, experience, and other relevant factors. For questions about this please discuss with your recruiter during the interview process.
Pay Range
$110,000—$150,000 USD
BENEFITS
Cresco Labs is proud to offer eligible employees a robust offering of benefits including, major medical, dental and vision insurance, a 401(K)-match program, FSA/HSA programs, LTD/STD options, life insurance and AD&D. We also offer eligible employees paid holidays and paid time off. Other rewards may include annual discretionary bonuses, stock options as well as participation in our employee discount program. Benefits eligibility for permanent positions may vary by full-time or part-time roles, location, or position.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be 21 years of age or older to apply
- Must comply with all legal or company regulations for working in the industry
- The company does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship for this role or any other position, now or in the future. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis without the need for current or future sponsorship at any time.
Cresco Labs is an Equal Opportunity Employer and all applicants will be considered without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, or disability status.
California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”) Notice to Applicants:
Please read the California Employee Privacy Noticehttps://www.crescolabs.com/california-employee-privacy-notice/(“CA Privacy Notice”) regarding Sunnyside* and its affiliate Cresco Labs’ policies pertaining to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. This CA Privacy Notice supplements the information contained in the Sunnyside* Privacy Policy and applies to California resident employees and job applicants. Applicants with disabilities may access this notice in an alternative format by contacting CCPAnotice@crescolabs.com
Reporting a Scam:
Cresco Labs is aware of fictitious employment offers being circulated from various sources. Many of these schemes consist of an alleged offer of employment with Cresco Labs with the intention of gaining personal information, including payment and/or banking information. Be aware that fraudulent job offers and correspondence may appear legitimate: they may feature a Cresco Labs logo, they may appear to originate from an official-looking email address or web site, or they may be sent by individuals purporting to represent Cresco Labs or an entity which includes the word Cresco Labs in its name.
Please note that Cresco Labs does not ask for payment or personal banking information as a condition of employment. Any personal information is requested for payroll or state badging purposes only. Applications can be securely submitted through our career’s pages.