Industrial Automation Controls Technician (Food Manufacturing)

Start with a safety huddle and a quick scan of CMMS work orders. You’ll jump between a packaging cell with an HMI fault, a temperature loop that needs calibration, and a servo axis seeking a new home position. Between calls, you’ll knock out preventive maintenance, coordinate rebuild windows with production, and log precise documentation. Throughout the shift, you collaborate with maintenance and operations to minimize downtime and steadily improve performance.

What you’ll tackle

• Champion safety-follow all safety, GMP, and 5S standards and participate in facility audits.
• Troubleshoot and repair production and packaging assets to keep throughput on target.
• Execute preventive maintenance and coordinate repairs and rebuild schedules.
• Support continuous improvement to reduce downtime and enhance system reliability.
• Assist with machine scheduling for component swaps, repairs, and full rebuilds.
• Contribute to automation and process-improvement initiatives.
• Complete accurate maintenance documentation and CMMS updates.
• Partner closely with maintenance and production teams.

• PLCs: Advanced programming and troubleshooting on Allen-Bradley Logix 500 and Logix 5000; deep familiarity with PLC hardware, software, and communications. Mitsubishi and/or Beckhoff PLC/HMI exposure is a plus.
• HMI/SCADA: Upload, modify, and download Allen-Bradley HMI applications; Ignition SCADA experience is a plus.
• Motion control: Diagnose and configure servo systems, motion controllers, VFDs, and feedback devices. Allen-Bradley motion platforms preferred.
• Industrial networks: Troubleshoot Ethernet and other plant-floor protocols.
• Instrumentation: Configure, calibrate, and troubleshoot flow, temperature, and pressure devices.
• Electrical: Solid grasp of electrical theory, relay logic, wiring practices, electrical drawings, and both hardware/software troubleshooting.
• Documentation: Read electrical schematics, interpret electrical codes, and locate OEM technical documentation.
• Computer skills: Proficient with Microsoft Office and CMMS platforms.

Who thrives in this role

An experienced industrial controls or automation technician who enjoys hands-on problem solving in highly automated environments like food manufacturing. You can install conduit, pull wire, mount devices, and you’re comfortable with PLC/HMI/SCADA work, motion/VFDs, industrial networking, instrumentation, and electrical systems. Compared with standard maintenance roles, this position leans heavily into PLC programming, industrial automation, and advanced electrical diagnostics.

Education & experience

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, or equivalent technical training and relevant work experience.
• Minimum 1 year in industrial controls or maintenance.
• Strong familiarity with processing, packaging, and related production equipment.
• Working knowledge of:

Physical demands & work environment

• Physical demands: Stand for 3-5 hours at a time; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. Occasionally lift/move up to 50 lbs. Vision: close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Work environment: Conditions typical of a modern bakery; noise level usually moderate.

Proficiencies we value

• PLC Troubleshooting Skills
• Electrical Installation
• PLC Programming Experience
• PLC Wiring Experience
• Electrical Schematic Reading
• HMI
• Electrical Schematics
• Single and Three Phase Power
• 120/208/240/480 Voltage Systems
• Industrial Robot Programming
• Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment
• Production Optimization
• SCADA Experience
• Pneumatics Troubleshooting
• Industrial Electrical Experience

Machines & technologies you’ll use

• SCADA
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi)
• HMI
• Allen-Bradley

Role details

• Job Title: Controls Technician
• Reports to: Controls Manager
• Salary/Hourly: Hourly
• Pay Range: $36.00 Hour - $44.00 Hour
• Shift: Nights 5pm - 5am (2-2-3 rotation)
• Onboarding schedule: Mon - Fri 7am - 4pm for the first 2 months
• Bonus: $5000 sign on bonus

Why you’ll love it here

• $5,000 sign-on bonus (limited time)
• Competitive pay with 12-hour shifts on a 2-2-3 schedule
• PTO starting on day one
• Affordable health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Quarterly attendance bonus
• Relocation assistance available

A night in the life