What are the responsibilities and job description for the Electrical-Controls Technician position at Baxters North America Inc?
Scope of Job: The Electrical Control Technician supports the engineering design and development of electrical control and automation systems and devices. Provides setup, configuration, troubleshooting and repair of electrical control systems and prototypes. Assists with testing of systems, devices, and instruments. Documents testing procedures, and measures and records performance results following established methods. Maintains the inventory of supplies and tools used for testing and maintenance. Responsibility for the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of industrial electrical systems and Allen‑Bradley–based control systems. This role supports manufacturing operations by ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient performance of production equipment, power distribution, and automation systems.
Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities:
Electrical Responsibilities
- Install, troubleshoot, and repair industrial electrical systems including power distribution, motor controls, and control panels.
- Perform electrical troubleshooting on 24VDC, 120VAC, and 480VAC systems.
- Diagnose and repair motors, starters, contactors, relays, sensors, and safety devices.
- Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts.
- Ensure compliance with NFPA 70 (NEC), OSHA, and facility safety standards.
- Perform lockout/tagout procedures and electrical safety checks.
Controls & Automation Responsibilities
- Troubleshoot and maintain Allen‑Bradley PLC systems (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, MicroLogix)
- Modify and support PLC programs using Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000 or RSLogix 500
- Troubleshoot and maintain HMIs (FactoryTalk View ME, EZTouch, Pro-Face)
- Diagnose and repair VFDs, servos, encoders, and motion control systems.
- Troubleshoot industrial communication networks (EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet)
- Support startup, commissioning, and testing of new equipment and automation upgrades.
- Assist in root‑cause analysis to reduce downtime and improve system reliability.
- Assist engineering and maintenance teams with root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement.
- Maintain documentation for electrical and control system changes.
- Collaborate with production and supporting departments to ensure the food safety and quality of our products.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education: Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in Electrical, Controls or Automation Technology.
Experience: 3 years of experience in industrial electrical automation. Hands‑on experience with Allen‑Bradley PLC hardware and software. Strong electrical troubleshooting skills in a manufacturing or industrial environment. Ability to read and understand electrical and controls documentation. Proficient with electrical test equipment and laptop‑based diagnostics.
Preferred Experience: Experience with safety PLCs (GuardLogix) and functional safety standards. Robotics experience (Fanuc, ABB, KUKA, or similar). Motion control and servo system experience. Experience in high‑speed manufacturing, food & beverage, or packaging industries. Familiarity with panel building, field wiring, and startup activities.
Competencies: Electronic Equipment Installation, Engineering Support, Performance Analysis, Technical Troubleshooting, Testing Result Reporting, Control Systems, Electro-Mechanical Components/Instruments, Test Documentation, Equipment Repairs, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) Software, Strong Communication and Problem‑Solving Skills, Detail Oriented, Initiative, Proactive, Adaptability, Integrity, and Operational Excellence.
Physical Requirements: Industrial manufacturing environment. Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work at heights.
Ability to work flexible schedules, including nights, weekends, or call-in.