Instrumentation & Controls Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Power the Future of Nutrition as a Senior Maintenance Technician, Instrumentation & Controls

Aurora, IL | Compensation Flexible Based on Skills & Experience

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking a highly skilled Senior Maintenance Technician, Instrumentation & Controls to support a global better-nutrition manufacturer—home to trusted consumer brands and ingredients that help people everywhere feel strong, nourished, and able to perform at their best at every stage of life.

This is a critical, senior-level role supporting highly automated production operations. The engineering and production teams rely heavily on this position to provide advanced troubleshooting expertise, technical leadership, and hands-on support across the facility’s controls and automation systems.

We are seeking a candidate who not only excels technically, but who can also train, mentor, and elevate the capabilities of other maintenance team members.

As a Senior Maintenance Technician, Instrumentation & Controls, you’ll play a key role in maintaining and improving advanced manufacturing and utility systems across the plant. Your expertise in automation, controls, and electrical systems will directly impact uptime, product quality, safety, and operational efficiency.

This is a hands-on, high-visibility role ideal for someone who thrives in technically challenging manufacturing environments and enjoys collaborating with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams while helping develop others.

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair instrumentation, controls, and electrical issues on the plant floor

• Lead advanced troubleshooting efforts involving PLCs, production lines, VFDs, servos, industrial networking, MCCs, and motor control systems

• Execute and lead preventive maintenance (PM) programs for instrumentation and controls systems

• Install, configure, and upgrade electrical and controls equipment for retrofit and continuous improvement projects

• Partner closely with operations and engineering teams to improve equipment reliability and plant performance

• Utilize CMMS systems (SAP or similar) to manage PMs, repairs, inventory, and documentation

• Communicate equipment and process changes clearly to affected teams

• Train, mentor, and support maintenance technicians and other team members in electrical and automation troubleshooting best practices

• Participate in root cause analysis, Go-See-Think-Do initiatives, and continuous improvement activities

• Support implementation of new processes, data collection initiatives, and safety improvement projects

• Ensure strict adherence to GMPs, safety standards, PPE requirements, LOTO procedures, and plant policies

This role requires flexibility to work 40+ hours per week, including weekends as needed and on-call support.

• Associate’s degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering Technology, or equivalent hands-on experience

• Minimum 10 years of Instrumentation & Controls experience in a manufacturing environment

• Strong hands-on experience supporting PLC panels and automated production lines

• Advanced troubleshooting experience with:

  • PLC systems (Rockwell / Allen-Bradley strongly preferred)

  • VFDs and servo drive systems

  • Industrial control networking (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, etc.)

  • Automation and production line controls

• Proven ability to troubleshoot and support highly automated manufacturing systems with minimal supervision

• Experience mentoring, training, and developing maintenance or technical team members

• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor controls, and machine sequences of operation

• Experience with process instrumentation including level, flow, and temperature controls

• Proficiency using electrical test equipment including voltmeters, ammeters, ohmmeters, and meggers

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals

• Strong understanding of NEC; familiarity with UL508A and NFPA 79 preferred

• Commitment to safety, including LOTO, Arc Flash awareness, and PPE compliance

• Food or regulated manufacturing experience

• Pneumatics and mechanical systems exposure

• SAP or similar CMMS experience

• Strong root cause analysis and continuous improvement background

• Previous leadership or lead technician experience

• Compensation flexibility based on skills, experience, and technical expertise

• Opportunity to step into a senior-level technical role with high visibility and impact

• Meaningful work supporting products with real nutritional impact worldwide

• Modern manufacturing environment with advanced automation and controls

• Growth-focused culture that values mentorship, technical leadership, and continuous development

• Collaborative teams where your expertise and ideas are respected

• Strong safety culture committed to doing things the right way—every time

Here, you won’t just maintain equipment—you’ll help power a mission of better nutrition, stronger communities, and a more sustainable future.

If you’re a senior-level Controls & Instrumentation professional with deep automation troubleshooting expertise and a passion for mentoring others, we want to hear from you.

Apply today and bring your technical leadership to a team building a better tomorrow—one innovation at a time.

Pay Details: $40.00 to $50.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to -privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Machines & technologies you'll use:

• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (Allen Bradley)