Controls Technician

Purpose and role of job:

Troubleshoot and maintain controls components and automation systems for production and associated utility equipment to insure highest reliability, proper line performance, and safe operation.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

General Responsibilities

• Observes all safety rules and uses the proper safety equipment at all times.
• Follows necessary GMP, FDA, and ISO regulations/guidelines.
• Notifies Supervisor of potential electrical hazards and takes immediate corrective action.  Demonstrates basic National Electrical Code understanding.
• Troubleshoots, repairs, replaces, and calibrates electrical sensors including photoelectric, inductive, capacitive, magnetic, pressure, temperature, weight, and position sensors.
• Troubleshoots, repairs, replaces, and commissions all electrical control devices including AC drives, DC drives, Servo Controllers, contactors, motors, breakers, solenoids power supplies and indicator lights.
• Troubleshoots, repairs, replaces, and commissions all PLC/HMI based hardware including processors, discrete and analog I/O cards, power supplies, network adapters, Distributed I/O, dedicated operator interfaces such as Panelview, PC based interfaces and message displays such as FactoryTalkView.
• Diagnosis’s problems using laptop computers interfaced to PLC’s, HMI’s and servo systems utilizing electrical schematics, meters, oscilloscopes, and any additional resources available.
• Makes small program changes in PLC logic, HMI programs and servo controller logic to aid in the diagnosis and repair of machine problems with guidance.
• Makes wiring/programming changes on all production equipment as required.
• Performs electrical preventative maintenance at scheduled intervals as assigned.
• Assists Production, Maintenance, Process and Project Engineers to meet daily priorities, coverage, and special projects.
• Works closely with the production team to identify and resolve problems.
• Assists with projects and equipment installations as necessary.
• Share’s knowledge and techniques with team members.
• Attends all training seminars provided by the company when applicable.
• Maintains a clean and orderly work area.

Education and experience requirements:

• High School Diploma with associate degree in electronics or equivalent.
• Preferred 1-3 years of industrial experience.
• Has knowledge of electrical theory and principles of operation.
  • Advanced knowledge of three phase, single phase, and DC power.
  • Familiar with NEC and standard wiring practices.
  • Utilizes meters and oscilloscopes to identify electrical problems.
  • Reads electrical schematics.
• Has knowledge of all controller-based hardware and software.
  • Reads and make small changes to PLC ladder logic.
  • Reads and troubleshoots motion control/servo programs.
  • Reads HMI software to identify its effects on the equipment.
  • Follows data and signals from one controller to another over various networks.
• Standard knowledge of product specifications, quality requirements, production goals, efficiency and waste.
  • Knows products specifications and the processes that affect them.
  • Understands the impact of downtime and waste on production efficiency.

Skills/competencies requirements:

• Good communication skills.
  • Works closely with the production team to identify and resolve problems.
  • Communicates with the parts department to ensure adequate spares.
• Good analytical skills.
  • Identifies problems and isolates them to specific components through tests and observations.
  • Performs electrical troubleshooting utilizing a logical and time effective approach.
• Personal Computer skills including specific controls programming software and basic e-mail, word processing, and spreadsheet applications.
• Ability to operate production equipment with assistance.
• Ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to communicate both orally and written.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced environment