Junior Controls​/PLC Technician

Job Description:

Job:
Junior Controls/PLC Technician

Location:
Mars Petcare (Temple, Texas)

Shift: Day based:
Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm; on call support 24/7

Mars Petcare is seeking a PLC Technician to join our exciting pet food business at a manufacturing plant in Temple, Texas. We focus our attention on the unique needs of cats and dogs. That obsession with detail allows us to deliver precise, effective nutrition and help them become their magnificent best.

As part of our overall total compensation package, Mars Petcare offers a competitive benefits package to all associates:
Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and 401k match. Associates are also immediately eligible (based on hire date) for up to three weeks of vacation, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Sick Pay, Maternity & Parental Leave, and annual bonus earning potential, plus many other ancillary benefits not listed here.

• Responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting electrical and control systems equipment down to the component level, including 480V electrical power distribution, instrumentation, motor controls, VFDs, servos, I/O devices/modules, PLCs, HMIs, and control networks.
• Troubleshoot machine breakdowns and malfunctions utilizing a working knowledge of control system programs and tools required to troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, and VFD/servo systems, including electrical schematics, programming software, meters, and other electrical test equipment.
• Train and assist technicians in troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, and calibrating all electrical sensing devices and instrumentation, including photoelectric, inductive, capacitive, pressure, temperature, weight, position sensors, flow, and analytical instruments.
• Train and assist technicians in troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, and commissioning all electrical control devices, including AC drives, DC drives, Servo Controllers, contractors, motors, breakers, solenoid power supplies, and indicator lights. All PLC/HMI hardware, including processors, discrete and analog I/O cards, power supplies, network adapters, I/O hardware, operator interfaces such as Panel View, PC-based interfaces, and message displays.
• Manage and troubleshoot control system applications, including PLC programs, HMI applications, SCADA applications, data collection systems, and MES systems.
• Identify and recommend changes to improve plant performance utilizing existing or new control systems. Make program modifications in PLC’s logic, HMI’s programs, and servo controller logic to enhance equipment performance.
• Manage and support factory control infrastructure, including PCs, servers, control networks, and network switches, including implementing patches and other vendor updates.
• Coordinate the electrical preventative maintenance program by identifying items that need regular inspection and replacement, scheduling the tasks and task frequencies required, and following up to ensure the completion and effectiveness of each task.
• Manage all PLC, Servo and HMI programs, changes, and electrical documentation. Ensure they are all accurate, updated, available to the technicians, and archived regularly.
• Act as a technical resource to operations and maintenance on controls-related issues. Assisted operations and maintenance associates in meeting daily priorities, coverage, and special projects.
• Provide support during machine installations and upgrades, including interfacing auxiliary equipment, identifying and correcting errors in programming and wiring, and ensuring vendors and contractors meet our needs and expectations.
• Support the introduction of new control technologies to the plant.
• Direct the work activities of outside contractors, maintenance technicians, and other associates in installing instrumentation, PLC-based control systems, and PC-based operator interfaces.
• Train and support non-technical users on using plant floor automation systems.
• Lead the implementation of small-scope projects in assigned areas.
• Make improvements as required to electrical PMs on various manufacturing and packaging equipment, electrical panels, and document activities using a computerized…