Industrial Electrical & Controls Technician

Industrial Electrical & Controls Technician – Day Shift

An established food manufacturing operation in Northvale, NJ is seeking an experienced Industrial Electrical & Controls Technician to join its day-shift maintenance team.

This is a hands-on position for a technician who knows how to troubleshoot equipment on the plant floor and get production running again.

You'll work directly with production and maintenance personnel troubleshooting and repairing 480V electrical systems, motor controls, VFDs, PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, sensors, safety circuits, industrial automation, and production equipment.

We're looking for someone who doesn't simply identify an electrical fault—you can trace the problem, identify the failed component, safely make the repair, and return the equipment to reliable operation.

• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, electronic, controls, and automation problems on production and facility equipment.
• Work hands-on alongside Maintenance and Production to minimize equipment downtime.
• Troubleshoot 480V / 240V / 208V three-phase and single-phase electrical systems.
• Diagnose motor-control problems involving starters, contractors, overloads, control transformers, VFDs, and servo drives.
• Set parameters, diagnose faults, and replace VFDs and drives.
• Troubleshoot Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC-controlled equipment.
• Go online with PLC controllers to monitor ladder logic, trace I/O, and identify failed field devices.
• Troubleshoot HMIs, photo eyes, proximity sensors, capacitive sensors, encoders, limit switches, RTDs, thermocouples, pressure/level/flow transmitters, and load cells.
• Troubleshoot machine-safety systems including E-stops, safety relays, safety PLCs, light curtains, gate switches, and interlocked guarding.
• Install and repair conduit, wiring, cable tray, panels, terminations, and electrical components.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder diagrams, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
• Troubleshoot electrical controls associated with freezers, refrigeration equipment, ovens, fryers, packaging equipment, conveyors, mixers, pumps, robotics, and other automated production systems.
• Perform preventive maintenance and corrective repairs.
• Support mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic repairs when needed.
• Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) for recurring electrical and controls failures.
• Support equipment installation, replacement, wiring, startup, and commissioning.
• Assist electrical and automation contractors working within the facility.
• Identify critical electrical spare parts and help maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Respond to emergency equipment failures and electrical issues during the shift.
• Use the CMMS daily to receive, complete, and close work orders and document labor, parts, and equipment history.
• Communicate open repairs and equipment status during shift transitions.
• Share electrical and troubleshooting knowledge with other maintenance technicians.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 3+ years of hands-on industrial electrical maintenance experience.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot 480V three-phase electrical systems.
• Strong experience with motor controls, VFDs, and PLC-controlled equipment.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, ladder logic, wiring diagrams, and equipment manuals.
• Strong hands-on electrical troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Ability to safely perform repairs directly on industrial production equipment.
• Knowledge of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• NFPA 70E arc-flash training or ability to obtain required training within 90 days of hire.

• Food or beverage manufacturing experience.
• Electrical apprenticeship, trade-school program, or technical degree in Electrical, Electronics, Mechatronics, or Industrial Maintenance.
• Experience troubleshooting Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens PLC systems.
• Industrial automation and robotics experience.
• Experience with instrumentation and industrial sensors.
• New Jersey electrical license, journeyman card, or apprentice registration.
• Powered industrial truck, scissor-lift, or aerial-lift certification.
• Bilingual English/Spanish skills.