Instrumentation & Controls Technician

Job Summary: The Instrumentation and Controls Technician (ICT) is responsible for programming automation and controls systems involving PLC’s. The teammate has the technical knowledge to design, program, operate, service and maintain electronic control system devices by understanding the logic related to automation operation. They will lead performance and continuous improvement of PM techniques, as well as train and coach other teammates in those methods.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Must be service minded and committed to supporting Automation customers: safety, quality, and production
• Perform preventative maintenance techniques on equipment to enhance uptime conditions.
• Train operators on maintenance techniques when called to troubleshoot or repair equipment.
• Complete preventative maintenance and other reliability tasks, assist in diagnostics, repair and rebuild of machines, partner with engineering or others on non-routine repairs and defect handling solutions.
• Calibration of new and existing instruments, control valves, controllers, etc.
• Monitoring and troubleshooting of control loops, instruments, and/or entire control systems.
• Maintain daily maintenance and plant calibration logs.
• Ensure all paperwork is filled out in a clear, legible and accurate format and completed with all required information.
• Attend and practice all required training.
• Able to read, modify, and troubleshoot through PLC and HMI codes to include Allen-Bradley, Schneider, and Omron.
• Install VFD’s, program, and tune settings for proper operation.
• Utilize root cause analysis thought process to ensure sustainability of corrective actions and/or improvements to drive asset reliability.
• Effectively complete PMs as scheduled to eliminate unplanned downtime.
• Proficient and diligent in use of CMMS system to track maintenance action items.
• Classify breakdowns and analyze gaps in the entire process of design, fabrication, and maintenance of equipment.
• Utilize the continuous improvement mindset and tools to actively participate in identifying and correcting opportunities, improving processes including participation in the creation and documentation of Standard Operating Procedures and Work Instructions, the creation and maintenance of preventative maintenance standards, the writing of One Point Lessons, and participation in continuous improvement methodology events.
• All other duties as assigned or become evident.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree and 2 years’ experience, or 5 years’ experience preferred.
• Experience in the Food Manufacturing industry is a plus.
• Regular and reliable attendance required.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills, especially related to automation issues.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.

• Able to be contacted in case of, and respond to, an emergency.
• Understands and supports Good Manufacturing Practices and Lean principles, including but not limited to 5S to maintain a clean, sanitary and safe work area, always maintaining audit ready status.
• Communicate effectively with production teammates, maintenance teammates and management.
• Support plant production needs and priorities to achieve plant goals.
• Facilitate, attend and participate in team meetings and programs.
• Assist, train, and mentor employees.
• Comply with all regulations, policies and procedures including NFPE Guidelines.

• Demonstrates a commitment to safe work practices and adheres to personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications. 

Working Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The ICT is required to work both in an office environment and on the production floor. The teammate occasionally works near moving mechanical parts.  The incumbent will be exposed to loud noises from production equipment and thus will be required to wear PPE.   The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but may be high at times due to production and mechanical equipment noise. 

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be performed by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the teammate is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to handle, or feel objects, equipment, or controls; reach with hands and arms; see, talk and /or hear.  This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of teammates under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.