What are the responsibilities and job description for the Industrial Automation Specialist - Night Shift position at Peco Foods?
The Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving automated production and processing systems within the poultry processing plant. This role supports plant uptime, food safety, and production efficiency by ensuring PLC-controlled equipment, robotics, sensors, and control systems operate safely and reliably. The Automation Technician works closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Operations, and Sanitation teams to minimize downtime and drive continuous improvement.
Essential Functions:
- Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain PLC-controlled equipment, HMIs, VFDs, servos, sensors, and automated production lines
- Diagnose and resolve electrical, instrumentation, and controls-related issues to minimize downtime
- Support startup, commissioning, and optimization of new automation equipment and process improvements
- Modify and maintain PLC programs under engineering or management guidance
- Perform preventative maintenance on automation and control systems
- Work with Maintenance Manager to identify recurring automation issues and recommend long-term solutions
- Ensure all automation work complies with food safety, OSHA, USDA, and company safety standards
- Collaborate with production and sanitation teams to support changeovers and sanitation requirements
- Maintain accurate documentation for PLC programs, electrical schematics, and control system changes
- Train maintenance technicians and operators on basic automation system operation and troubleshooting
- Support continuous improvement, yield optimization, and efficiency initiatives
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma or GED
- 3 years of experience working with industrial automation in a manufacturing environment
- Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and industrial networking
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control diagrams
- Experience troubleshooting electrical and control systems in a fast-paced production environment
- Strong safety awareness and commitment to food safety standards
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate degree or technical certification in Automation, Electrical Technology, or Industrial Maintenance
- Experience in poultry, food, or USDA-regulated processing facilities
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to work in cold, wet, or damp processing environments
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs
- Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, or off-shift support as needed