Industrial Controls & Automation Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Industrial Controls & Automation Specialist

Join our production team as the go-to expert for maintaining, troubleshooting, and elevating the electrical and automation subsystems that power our facility. You’ll keep automated equipment performing at its best, minimize downtime, and lead continuous improvement efforts across controls, networks, and documentation.

• Start your shift by reviewing overnight logs and communicating priorities with management, peers, production teams, and vendors.
• Head to the floor to diagnose and resolve issues using the right tools (for example, a multimeter and software diagnostics) to identify root causes in electrical and control systems.
• Jump from software challenges in automation to hardware work on PLCs and HMIs/touchscreens, ensuring equipment stability and uptime.
• Leverage advanced network troubleshooting to pinpoint and correct control-network problems.
• Collaborate with IT to keep automation servers running reliably and securely.
• Lead and mentor electrical and instrumentation technicians; provide hands-on guidance and clear documentation.
• Interpret electrical schematics and user manuals to support accurate maintenance and repairs.
• Document changes, back up programs, and organize all automation-related assets (programs, schematics, network info, manuals, etc.).
• Partner with Corporate Controls to plan and implement necessary program changes that enhance performance and reliability.
• Contribute to engineering and management projects, offering consultative support where needed.

• Work independently with minimal supervision while rigorously following all safety policies and procedures.
• Complete monthly safety audits/observations, follow GMPs, maintain sanitary conditions, and ensure product quality is upheld.
• Immediately report to management any condition or practice that could impact food safety, food quality, or personnel safety.
• Embed safety and health into every task and ensure regulatory requirements are met at all times.

• Spot and drive process and automation improvements to reduce downtime and boost throughput.
• Create user manuals and training materials; train electrical techs as appropriate.
• Provide support and leadership to electrical techs across shifts to standardize best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Required: 2-year certificate from a college or technical school, or an equivalent blend of education, training, and experience.
• Required: 5+ years of strong industrial electrical experience in a manufacturing environment (food processing experience preferred).
• Required: 3+ years of PLC programming experience.
• Required: Demonstrated knowledge of and hands-on work with Allen Bradley/Rockwell Automation.
• Required: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret electrical schematics, technical procedures, and operating/maintenance instructions.
• Preferred: Experience with mechanical systems and pneumatics.
• Preferred: Electrical Apprentice or Journeyman’s license.

• 120/208/240/480V systems
• Troubleshooting industrial automation equipment
• PLC programming
• Electrical/electronic systems

• Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC)