Controls Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Controls Technician

Job Description

This role focuses on troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving automation and control systems that support high-speed food manufacturing operations. The Controls Technician independently diagnoses and resolves automation, instrumentation, and control issues affecting production, quality, and safety, while also leading engineering updates, commissioning new or modified systems, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives. The position combines hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, including training and mentoring others, collaborating across departments, and driving long-term reliability and uptime of automated equipment.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and resolve automation and control issues that impact production, product quality, and employee safety.
• Independently perform advanced troubleshooting of automation, instrumentation, and control systems for automated food processing, robotic equipment, and material transfer systems.
• Lead engineering updates, modifications, testing, and commissioning of automation changes for multiple high-speed production lines.
• Design, implement, and recommend automation solutions for existing equipment and new production line projects.
• Perform scheduled and condition-based preventive maintenance on automation and control systems to ensure reliable operation.
• Document completed work in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) through detailed maintenance work orders, and create and prioritize follow-up work as needed.
• Research, recommend, and implement automation improvements that enhance equipment reliability, uptime, and overall performance.
• Plan, lead, and execute automation preventive maintenance initiatives to minimize unplanned downtime and production interruptions.
• Apply creative problem-solving and root cause analysis to identify systemic automation issues and implement sustainable, long-term corrective actions.
• Train, coach, and mentor operators, maintenance technicians, and peers on automation systems, procedures, and best practices, particularly for packaging and high-speed equipment.
• Lead and support special projects related to automation upgrades, retrofits, and new equipment installations.
• Collaborate with peers and cross-functional partners to share technical expertise and standardize automation practices across the facility.
• Conduct obsolescence assessments of control systems, identify high-risk components, and develop upgrade and replacement strategies.
• Recommend appropriate automation spare parts and help manage critical automation inventory to support reliable operations.
• Perform additional instrumentation and electrical duties as assigned, including support for electrical systems, control panels, and related equipment.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 4–5 years of experience in industrial automation or controls within a manufacturing environment; experience in food manufacturing or high-speed packaging is preferred.
• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, including platforms such as PLC-5 and SLC 500, with strong troubleshooting capabilities.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley software tools such as RSLogix and FactoryTalk for monitoring, troubleshooting, and modifying control programs.
• Hands-on experience with SCADA systems for monitoring and controlling automated processes.
• Strong knowledge of control panel design, layout, and troubleshooting, including wiring, components, and safety considerations.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley variable frequency drives (VFDs) and human-machine interfaces (HMIs).
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics and apply them in troubleshooting and system modifications.
• Demonstrated ability to act as a technical leader and trainer within assigned plant areas or machine centers.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and resolve issues across multiple departments and organizational levels.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook for documentation, reporting, and communication.
• Strong understanding of automation, instrumentation, and control products and related engineering principles.
• Experience working in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, including exposure to high-speed production lines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Mechatronics, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Familiarity with additional PLC platforms and controls engineering concepts beyond core Allen-Bradley systems.
• Experience with Ignition or similar modern SCADA or industrial software platforms is a plus.
• Knowledge of automation suppliers and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment, including their controls and integration requirements.
• Experience leading or supporting automation upgrades, retrofits, and new equipment installations in a production environment.
• Background in root cause analysis methodologies and continuous improvement approaches for automation reliability.
• Comfort working with electrical systems and instrumentation in an industrial setting.
• Interest in ongoing professional development through on-the-job training, internal workshops, and leadership development programs.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role in a food manufacturing facility that primarily produces pasta and operates high-speed production and packaging lines. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with on-call support required approximately once every three weeks. The environment is fast-paced and production-focused, with close-knit teams and approachable leadership that emphasize collaboration, respect, and long-term relationships. The culture is supportive, welcoming, and community-oriented, with a strong focus on work-life balance and treating employees as individuals. The facility uses advanced automation and control technologies, including Allen-Bradley PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, SCADA systems, and related industrial control hardware and software. Employees have access to on-the-job training, internal workshops, and leadership development programs, supported by a strong promote-from-within philosophy, particularly in operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and leadership roles. The organization offers a comprehensive time-off structure that includes nine observed holidays per year, with employees who work on a holiday receiving double their hourly rate plus eight hours of holiday pay, as well as an additional floating holiday separate from paid time off. Employees receive two paid sick days per year in addition to other leave options. Work is performed in a production environment where appropriate safety and cleanliness standards for food manufacturing are followed.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Winchester, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $93000.00 - $97000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Fully vested 401k with a 5% match. PTO starts at 10 days/year.Holidays – we observe 9 holidays per year; if employees are scheduled to work on a holiday they receive 2x their hourly rate, plus 8 hours Holiday Pay.Sick Days – Employees receive 2 paid sick days per year in addition to usable points and PTO. We also have a monthly 2h appointment allowance.You are eligible to join the Company's benefits plan on the first day of the month following 30 days ofemployment. The Company benefits program offers medical, dental, vision, life insurance and disabilitycoverage.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Winchester,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 5, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email View email address on us.fitly.work for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.