Controls Technician

Post Holdings - Winchester, VA

Full-time

Winchester, VA

Repair and Maintenance

About the position

The Controls Technician position at 8th Avenue Food & Provisions is a critical role that serves as a subject matter expert in automation systems, specifically focusing on PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives), HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces), and various plant operating systems. This position is essential for ensuring the smooth operation of high-speed food processing production lines. The technician will collaborate closely with maintenance technicians, operators, supervisors, and managers to troubleshoot and resolve automation issues that may disrupt production processes. In this role, the technician will be responsible for diagnosing and fixing automation and control issues that impact production efficiency. This includes executing troubleshooting procedures for equipment automation and instrumentation across all automated food processing systems, robotic systems, and transfer systems applications. The technician will also assist the engineering team with updates, modifications, and testing of new systems, ensuring that all changes are effectively implemented and documented. The position requires proactive involvement in the design and implementation of automation solutions for both existing and future production line projects. The technician will perform periodic maintenance on systems, document completed work on maintenance orders, and create new work orders for repairs or follow-up tasks. Additionally, the technician will research, recommend, and implement improvements to enhance equipment reliability and minimize downtime through effective preventative maintenance strategies. A key aspect of this role is the ability to coach and mentor operators and technicians on automation procedures related to high-speed food manufacturing equipment. The technician will also participate in special projects involving equipment upgrades or installations and collaborate with team members to share technical knowledge. Furthermore, the technician will conduct obsolescence studies of control systems to identify high-risk areas and develop plans for upgrading obsolete components.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and fix automation and control issues causing production issues.
• Perform and execute troubleshooting of equipment automation/instrumentation issues for all automated food processing systems, robotic systems, and transfer systems applications.
• Assist Engineering with updates, changes, and testing of new modifications for multiple high-speed food processing production lines.
• Assist with automation implementation, design, and recommendations for existing and future high-speed production line projects.
• Perform periodic maintenance of systems.
• Document work completed on maintenance work orders and create work orders for repairs or follow-up work needed.
• Research, recommend, and implement automation improvements for equipment reliability.
• Plan, lead, and execute automation preventative maintenance efforts to minimize equipment downtime.
• Demonstrate creative problem-solving to identify and perform equipment improvements.
• Coach and mentor operators, technicians, and peers with automation procedures related to high-speed food manufacturing equipment.
• Participate in special projects on equipment upgrades or installations.
• Collaborate with peers and team members to transfer specialist technical knowledge.
• Complete obsolescence study of control systems to identify high-risk areas and develop a plan to upgrade obsolete components.

Requirements

• Minimum two-year degree required: Technical college or equivalent.
• Five (5) years of work experience with automation systems in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Experience in control panel design and layout for new production equipment.
• Experience with Allen Bradley PLCs, VFDs, and HMIs.
• Experience with SCADA systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and resolve issues across multiple departments and levels of the organization.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics: electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic.
• Willingness to be a technical leader and trainer within a specific area of plant or machine center.
• Knowledge of high-tech automation and control products.
• Knowledge of engineering principles related to automation products.
• Knowledge of suppliers' automation products.