Job Summary:

The Controls Technicianis responsible for troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving automated equipment and control systems in a high-speed pet food manufacturing environment. This role ensures operational efficiency through proactive maintenance, reliability strategies, and root cause analysis of electrical and automation issues. The Controls Technician will also collaborate with the Automation Engineers to support continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Troubleshoot and repair electrical control circuits, PLCs, motor circuits, and other automation components.

• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on electrical systems, sensors, actuators, and motor control centers (MCCs).

• Support production teams by diagnosing and resolving issues with automated equipment to minimize downtime.

• Conduct regular inspections of electrical panels, VFDs, HMIs, and control networks to identify potential failures.

• Lead in troubleshooting of PLC logic, HMIs, and other industrial control systems.

• Work with Reliability and Maintenance teams to implement improvements and reduce equipment failures.

• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical failures supporting the Maintenance and Reliability teams.

• Assist with the installation, commissioning, and troubleshooting of new automation systems.

• Collaborate with the Automation Engineers on continuous improvement projects to enhance machine efficiency, process optimization, and system reliability.

• Ensure compliance with electrical safety programs, NFPA 70E, and other applicable regulations.

• Utilize CMMS (eMaint) to document maintenance activities, track work orders, and support reliability initiatives.

• Train maintenance personnel on basic troubleshooting techniques for electrical and control systems.

• Report to the Maintenance Managerwhile receiving daily direction and priority assignments from the Automation Engineers.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Strong communication skills for reporting issues and working in teams. 

• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, including 3-phase power, motor controls, and relay logic.

• Experience troubleshooting PLCs (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley preferred), HMIs, and SCADA systems.

• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP,Profinet, and Modbus.

• Familiarity with VFDs, servo drives, and soft starters.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic, and P&IDs.

• Experience with control networks and troubleshooting fieldbus issues.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in an industrial automation environment.

• Working knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance methodologies.

• Understanding of arc flash safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or technical certification in Electrical, Automation, or Industrial Maintenance (or equivalent experience).

• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, or electrical maintenance.

• Experience working in food processing or a similar manufacturing environment.

• Familiarity with CMMS software (eMaint or similar) for work order management and asset tracking.

• Basic programming skills in PLC software (Studio 5000, Connected Components Workbench, and FactoryTalk Viewpoint) are a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in an industrial environment with exposure to high temperatures, dust, and noise.

• Must be able to lift up to 50 lbs and work in confined spaces or elevated platforms as needed.

• Availability for rotating shifts, on-call support, or overtime based on plant needs.