Automation and Controls Technician

Job DetailsJob Location: Heartland Farms Headquarters - Hancock, WI 54943Position Type: Full TimeNo prior experience with our automated equipment is required! Employer-provided training will be provided to teach you how to safely operate our automated, computer-controlled machinery. Candidates should have regular experience using computers and be able to learn and operate computer-controlled equipment. In addition to equipment operation, this position will perform light maintenance, troubleshooting, and basic mechanical tasks. Candidates should have a strong mechanical aptitude and be comfortable performing light maintenance, troubleshooting, and working with tools and equipment. What We’re Looking For: Previous Mechanical experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the right person who is mechanically inclined, eager to learn, and willing to develop the skills necessary for the position.   Instrumentation Calibration: Maintain and calibrate sensors, optical sorters, and control boards. Drive and Motor Maintenance: Monitor, variable frequency drives (VFDs), belts, bearings. Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) & Human Machine Interface (HMI) Troubleshooting: Diagnose ladder logic or control code (predominantly Odenberg and HAT automation systems) to resolve line stoppages. Preventative Maintenance (PMs): Perform routine inspections and basic preventive maintenance on optical sorting equipment, identifying mechanical or operational issues and promptly communicating maintenance needs to minimize downtime. Perform system backups and update machine documentation. Food Safety Compliance: Ensure all troubleshooting and mechanical repairs comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), USDA, and OSHA guidelines. QualificationsJob Summary The Automation and Controls Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing automated, computer-controlled machinery and control systems within a high-volume industrial agricultural shipping plant.   This role involves monitoring and maintaining PLCs, electrical and mechanical equipment, sensors, conveyors, and other automated systems to ensure reliable and efficient production. The position requires strong electrical, mechanical, and troubleshooting skills, along with the ability to diagnose equipment issues, perform preventive maintenance, and minimize downtime in a fast-paced industrial environment.   This role ensures potatoes are accurately graded and sorted through the machine according to established quality standards while maximizing product yield and minimizing waste. This position is also responsible for cleaning and sanitizing optical sorting equipment in accordance with Food Safety and Sanitation standards to ensure safe, efficient production.   Core Responsibilities Responsible for operating, monitoring, adjusting, and maintaining automated systems and computer-controlled optical sorting equipment to ensure efficient and reliable operation. Diagnose and troubleshoot pneumatic air systems, sorting belts, and related mechanical components to maintain efficient equipment operation and minimize downtime. Analyze product data to establish machine performance standards for different potato varieties and operate optical sorting equipment to accurately grade and sort potatoes according to customer specifications and company quality standards. Monitor optical sorter performance throughout production by routinely inspecting sorted product and adjusting machine parameters as needed to optimize product quality, maximize recovery, and minimize waste. Perform timely cleaning, sanitizing, and maintenance of optical sorting equipment and surrounding work areas multiple times per shift to ensure compliance with Food Safety, GMP, and company sanitation standards. Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Production teams to ensure grading standards are consistently met. Perform routine inspections and basic preventive maintenance on optical sorting equipment, identifying mechanical or operational issues and promptly communicating maintenance needs to minimize downtime. Complete production logs, machine performance records, and sanitation documentation accurately. Follow all company safety policies and procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) requirements when applicable. Assist with startup, shutdown, product changeovers, and other production activities as needed.   Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Valid Driver’s License and the ability to travel locally. Familiarity with industrial automation components, including sensors, control boards, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and programmable logic controllers (PLCs). Must be organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently while effectively collaborating with others in a fast-paced production environment. Ability to visually identify differences in color, size, and condition of potatoes on a moving conveyor line. Demonstrates strong multitasking abilities, attention to detail, analytical problem-solving skills, and a goal-driven mindset to effectively manage priorities, optimize processes, and achieve production objectives.   Physical Requirements Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift. Frequently lift, push, pull, and carry up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift, push, pull, and carry 25 to 50 pounds. Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and reach as required. Ability to work in a refrigerated or variable-temperature production environment. Requires the ability to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, and to clearly understand and respond to verbal and written communications from others in person and by telephone.   Experience & Education                       •   High school diploma or equivalent required. Associate or Technical degree preferred. One to three years of hands-on experience maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting high-speed industrial machinery, preferably in a food processing or manufacturing environment. Experience in agricultural operations or food processing, with familiarity in potato sorting and grading, is preferred. Proficient in operating and navigating equipment user interfaces to access systems, adjust product classifications, and calibrate optical sorting parameters.   Work Schedule This position averages approximately 40-50 hours per week over a 5 day work week, though hours may vary depending on the season and customer demand. Typical hours are 6:00 a.m. to approximately 3:00 p.m., but end times may vary daily based on product load-out schedules. Some shifts may end earlier or later than usual. Applicants must be available to work Sunday-Thursday, Tuesday-Saturday, or Thursday-Tuesday. Heartland Farms operates continuously, including holidays, and employees may be scheduled to work on holidays.   Work Location Heartland Farms is located at 907 3rd Avenue Hancock, WI 54943 in Adams County near the border of Waushara County. The facility is approximately: Less than 20-minutes from Bancroft, Coloma, or Plainfield. About 30 minutes from Adams, Almond, Necedah, Nekoosa, Wautoma, Westfield, or Wild Rose. About 35-40 minutes from Red Granite, Stevens Point, or Wisconsin Rapids.   With Heartland Farms, Inc., you will work as part of a high performing agricultural organization where team members collaborate to get the job done and challenge the status quo to find a better way. We highly value hard work, achievement, and reliability, and reward people accordingly.   This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required for this position. Duties, activities, and responsibilities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Heartland Farms Inc. provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.