Instrumentation and Controls Technician

Days: Monday- Friday, 8am- 4pm

Position Summary:

The Instrumentation and Controls (I&C) Technician for Food and Beverage installs, maintains, troubleshoots, and calibrates process instrumentation, control systems, and motor drives to keep production, packaging, and CIP systems running safely, hygienically, and with minimal downtime.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.  

• Install and commission field instruments (pressure, level, flow, temperature, conductivity, pH), control valves, actuators, and hygienic sensors used in food and beverage processes.
• Configure, troubleshoot, and maintain Allen‑Bradley (Rockwell) PLCs, controllers, and associated I/O; perform logic checks, firmware updates, and backup/restore tasks.
• Start up, program, tune, and maintain VFDs and motor starters for pumps, mixers, conveyors, and chillers; perform parameter checks and verify motor protection settings.
• Diagnose electrical, instrument, and network faults; isolate issues to field device, wiring, VFD, PLC, or HMI and implement corrective actions.
• Follow sanitation, hygiene, and regulatory requirements for food processing areas; perform work to minimize product contamination and support scheduled washdowns.
• Participate in planned shutdowns, changeovers, and emergency responses; train operators on basic instrument checks and safe equipment use.      

Required Qualifications and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical certificate, associate degree, or vocational training in instrumentation, electronics, electrical technology, or a related field.
• Minimum 3 years of hands‑on experience in industrial instrumentation and controls within food, beverage, or process manufacturing environments.
• Proven experience with Rockwell / Allen‑Bradley PLCs and controllers and hands‑on VFD experience (installation, parameterization, basic troubleshooting).
• Experience with I/O Link masters and devices including assigning IP addresses and setting up parameters.
• Experience with Endress-Houser flowmeters, level sensors and other devices using Ethernet IP, analog, Bluetooth and HART. 
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, wiring diagrams, loop diagrams, and electrical schematics.
• Proficient with common calibration tools (loop calibrator, multimeter, megohmmeter, thermometer calibrator) and basic test equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting skills, good mechanical aptitude, and attention to sanitary detail.

Preferred skills and certifications:

• Experience with Rockwell Studio 5000, RSLogix 500/5000, FactoryTalk View, and EtherNet/IP network diagnostics.
• Experience with I/O Link masters and devices including assigning IP addresses and setting up parameters.
• Experience with Endress-Houser flowmeters, level sensors and other devices using Ethernet IP, analog, Bluetooth and HART. 
• Certifications: ISA Certificate, Rockwell Automation certified training, NFPA 70E, Forklift and Confined Space certifications, or an electrical journeyman license.
• Familiarity with hygienic/sanitary instrumentation, washdown‑rated (IP69K) devices, and CIP/SIP system considerations.
• Experience with process control concepts (PID loops, cascade control), batch control, and recipe management systems.
• Strong communication skills, ability to work cross‑functionally with operations, QA, and engineering.

Work Environment: 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to work in wet, humid, or outdoor conditions. The employee is also exposed to varying temperatures extremes including heat and cold as the weather varies. The employee is occasionally exposed to work on elevated platforms, with fumes or airborne particles, or with toxic or caustic chemicals. This employee is frequently exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and exposed to vibration. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually loud. 

Physical Demands: 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds and frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Distance vision, Color Vision, Peripheral vision, and Depth perception.  While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is frequently required to sit, talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl.

WHAT WE OFFER:

 In addition to competitive pay, stable employment and growth opportunities, we offer a variety of benefits as part of our total compensation & rewards package.

• Many of our positions work on average 15 days/month, based on 2-2-3 schedule; however, we have a variety of work schedules dependent on position and/or department
• Night Shift Differential (additional $1.00)
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Health
• HSA
• Dental
• Vision
• Life and AD&D- company paid & supplemental
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Company Life Insurance
• Free Uniforms
• Monthly Bonus Incentive Program
• Employee Referral Bonuses
• Employee Appreciation Events
• Company Swag – Apparel, hats & a variety of other items available
• Discount Purchases on Beer from our MN Brewhouse Brand
• Eligible for benefits the first month following 60 days of employment including medical, a health savings account option, dental, vision, disability, company paid & voluntary life and more
• 401k match after 6 months with 100% immediate vesting

* Pre - Employment Drug Screening and Background check are part of our hiring process* 

  We look forward to hearing from you and reviewing your information.