Controls Technician

JOB OVERVIEW

The Controls Technician supports reliable operation of all plant automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, and electrical controls. This role focuses on troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving existing systems—not designing new architectures. The Controls Technician collaborates closely with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations to ensure equipment uptime, product quality, and safe plant operation.

• Troubleshoot and resolve issues with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and control circuits.
• Perform minor/moderate PLC program edits (e.g., adjusting timers, counters, setpoints, and minor logic edits) under supervision or per established standards.
• Assist with implementation and testing of system updates, equipment installs, and control upgrades.
• Calibrate and maintain instrumentation such as flow, temperature, level, and pressure devices.
• Maintain accurate documentation for control panels, wiring diagrams, and logic changes.

• Support Maintenance teams in diagnosing electrical failures related to automation and machine control.
• Perform wiring repairs, replace components (relays, contractors, sensors), and ensure proper control system grounding and wiring integrity.
• Conduct routine inspections to identify potential control system failures before they occur.

• Execute PM tasks for controls, instrumentation, and electrical systems.
• Support PLC/HMI backup procedures and version control processes.
• Make recommendations to improve system reliability, safety, and uptime.

• Follow all LOTO, arc flash, electrical safety, and plant GMP requirements.
• Ensure all automation work complies with applicable codes and company policies.
• Participate in safety audits, equipment risk assessments, and corrective actions.

Required

• 2–5 years of experience working with industrial automation or controls in a manufacturing or processing environment.
• Technical certificate or Associate degree in Electrical, Automation, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, or similar; or equivalent hands‑on experience.
• Working proficiency with Allen‑Bradley PLCs (basic to moderate troubleshooting, minor edits), HMIs (navigating screens, alarms, diagnostics), VFDs, motor controls, and control panel components, Industrial networking fundamentals (Ether Net/IP preferred)
• Solid understanding of electrical systems: 24
  
  VDC, 120/480
  
  VAC, relays, sensors, schematics.

Preferred

• Experience in food & beverage, dairy, or other regulated processing environments.
• Familiarity with CIP systems, process control, or fluid handling automation.
• Training or certification in NFPA 70E, ISA, or Rockwell Automation fundamentals.
• Experience in dairy, food & beverage, or GMP regulated environments.

• Strong troubleshooting of automated machinery.
• Ability to make controlled PLC/HMI edits.
• Proficient reading of schematics, P&IDs, and wiring diagrams.
• Solid understanding of instrumentation and control loops.
• Root cause analysis and problem-solving mindset.
• Strong follow through and ownership of assigned tasks.
• Collaborative approach with Maintenance and Operations.
• Calm and systematic under pressure.
• High level of safety awareness and safety‑focused decision making.
• Detail‑oriented, disciplined documentation.

• Ability to analyze multi‑variable technical problems and choose safe, effective solutions.
• High attention to detail when working with electrical/automation systems.
• Comfortable working independently while knowing when to elevate.
• Mental acuity to make quick, high‑stakes decisions, under pressure during equipment failures or production crises.
• Ability to process and synthesize information – read analyze, and interpret – from multiple sources.
• Working memory to retain and manipulate multiple variables while troubleshooting.
• Numerical and spatial reasoning to understand layouts, diagrams, calculations, etc.
• Visual acuity for detailed electrical work, color‑coded wiring, and instrumentation.
• Ability to wear PPE including safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and arc‑flash gear…