Control Systems Technician

Tfc Poultry - Winchester, VA

Full-time

Winchester, VA

Food Manufacturing

About the position

The Control Systems Technician plays a crucial role in the poultry processing facility by ensuring the optimal performance of control systems that are essential for automated equipment. This position is responsible for the installation, calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of various control systems, with a particular focus on instrumentation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and controls hardware such as input/output devices, remote I/O, and variable frequency drives (VFDs). The technician will work closely with the Plant Engineering Manager to ensure that all systems operate efficiently and effectively, minimizing downtime and maximizing productivity. In this role, the technician will monitor utility and process control systems, optimizing control loops to enhance the operation of processing systems. They will perform basic programming tasks, adjusting PLC programs using ladder logic and structured text, and will operate PLCs along with their associated inputs and outputs. Additionally, the technician will maintain and troubleshoot Ethernet/IP and Modbus industrial networks, ensuring that all control systems function smoothly to prevent interruptions in production. The technician will also be responsible for reading and maintaining control schematics and process instrumentation diagrams, supervising and assisting with the setup, installation, and checkout of new electrical equipment. Utilizing the Plant Coordinating System, they will analyze data to provide reliability improvements and handle a flexible workload that may arise from management or other engineering staff. Promoting a positive image of both themselves and the company within the community is also an important aspect of this role.

Responsibilities

• Monitor the utility and process control systems for the automated equipment.
• Optimize the performance of control loops to ensure the efficient operation of the various processing systems.
• Perform basic programming tasks for utility and process control systems; adjust programs with ladder logic and structured text; operate PLCs and associated inputs/outputs; operate VFDs.
• Maintain and troubleshoot Ethernet/IP and Modbus industrial networks.
• Troubleshoot controls systems and PLC controls to avoid/minimize interruptions to production.
• Read and maintain controls schematics; process and instrumentation diagrams.
• Supervise/assist with set-up, installation and check-out of new electrical equipment.
• Utilize Plant Coordinating System to analyze data and provide reliability improvements.
• Handle flexible workload which may come from management or other engineering staff.
• Promote personal and company image throughout the community.

Requirements

• 2-year technical degree or 3-5 years automation controls experience.
• Ability to navigate/adjust PLCs programs with Rockwell Studio 5000.
• Knowledge of CODESYS is a plus.
• Able to read and interpret ladder logic diagrams and structured text.
• Creative problem-solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products.
• Able to read, write and communicate effectively.
• 2D AutoCAD experience.