PLC Tech - 1st Shift

Job Summary: The PLC Technician is responsible for troubleshooting, maintaining, and supporting industrial automation and control systems in a high-speed beef slaughter and processing facility. This role focuses on minimizing downtime, ensuring safe and reliable operation of production equipment, and supporting continuous improvement efforts in a washdown and food-safe environment.

Shift Schedule: 7am to 4 pm

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Troubleshoot and support PLC-controlled production equipment to minimize downtime during live production.
• Diagnose and repair issues related to:
  • PLCs and I/O Modules
  • Sensors, Actuators (photo-eyes, proximities, encoders)
  • HMIs
  • VFDs and other Motor Controls
  • Hydraulics and Pneumatics
• Support installation, wiring, and commissioning of PLC hardware, control panels, sensors, actuators and other associated devices
• Perform minor PLC logic modifications, parameter changes, and fault recovery (no system design required).
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic, and control drawings to quickly diagnose electrical, mechanical, and software faults on demand
• Support production line startups, changeovers, and emergency calls
• Assist with troubleshooting safety circuits, interlocks, and other electrical problems 
• Work closely with maintenance, production, engineering, and sanitation teams to keep equipment operating safe and efficiently to satisfy Food Safety Program requirements
• Document PLC changes, backups, and repairs according to plant standards.
• Follow all USDA, GMP, food safety, and plant safety requirements.
• Participate in preventative maintenance activities related to controls systems.
• Maintain cleanliness and integrity of control panels and enclosures in washdown areas.

Required Qualifications:

• 3 years of experience as a PLC Technician, Controls Technician, or Automation Maintenance Technician.
• Experience working with 24V/110V/240V/480V Single phase and 3-Phase electrical systems
• Must know how to use a multimeter to read voltage, current, and resistance 
• Hands-on experience with PLCs (Allen Bradley ControlLogix / CompactLogix preferred)
• Strong electrical controls troubleshooting skills in live production environments.
• Experience with VFDs, motor starters, relays, and industrial control components.
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and ladder logic.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and emergency call-ins as needed.
• Ability to work in cold, wet, noisy, and high-pressure washdown environments.
• Ability to lift to 50 lbs. and perform physical maintenance tasks.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in beef, pork, poultry, or food processing facilities
• HMI experience (FactoryTalk View / PanelView)
• Experience using Rockwell Automation Studio 500 is a plus
• Basic Ethernet/IP or industrial networking troubleshooting
• Familiarity with NEMA 4X enclosures and sanitary design
• Electrical license or technical certification (preferred, not required)

Work Environment:

• Beef slaughter and processing facility
• Exposure to cold temperatures, water, chemicals, blood, and animal byproducts
• PPE required (provided)
• Fast-paced, uptime-critical production environment

DISCLAIMER: The Position Description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required of employees assigned to this position.