0514 - Controls/Automation Technician

Crafted Staff; McElhattan (Clinton County); On-site; USD 66,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Crafted Staff is seeking a Controls / Automation Technician in McElhattan, PA for night shift (7:00 pm–7:00 am) on a 2/2/3 schedule. The role focuses on troubleshooting, maintaining, and optimizing control systems to ensure safety, reliability, and line performance in a fast-paced production environment.

The ideal candidate has an electrical background, experience with PLCs and HMIs, and the ability to perform electrical preventive maintenance and quick repairs.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Electronics or equivalent required.
• 3+ years of industrial experience.
• Proficient with PCs and controls programming software.
• Working knowledge of electrical theory and operation.
• Knowledge of controller-based hardware and software systems.
• Strong communication and analytical skills.
• Able to operate production equipment with supervision.
• Ability to make quick, accurate electrical repairs and program changes.
• Team-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate electrical sensors.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and commission electrical control devices (AC/DC drives, servo controllers, motors, breakers).
• Troubleshoot and commission PLC and HMI hardware.
• Diagnose system issues using diagnostic tools.
• Perform electrical preventive maintenance.
• Support engineers with daily priorities and projects.
• Assist with equipment installations and improvement projects.
• Maintain organized work area.

Skills

Troubleshooting

PLC & HMI hardware

Electrical sensors

AC/DC drives

Servo controllers

Electrical theory

Teamwork

Education

Associate’s degree in Electronics or equivalent

Tools

FactoryTalk View

Electrical schematics software

Job description

Controls / Automation Technician

McElhattan, PA | Full-Time Direct hire

Night Shift- 7:00 pm-7:00 am, 2/2/3 schedule

Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour plus $1.50 shift differential.

Purpose of the Role-Controls / Automation Technician:

Our client is seeking a Controls / Automation Technician to support production and utility equipment by troubleshooting, maintaining, and optimizing control systems. This role is critical to ensure safe operation, high reliability, and consistent line performance across manufacturing operations.

This position is well-suited for a hands-on technician with a strong electrical background who enjoys working with automation systems in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities-Controls / Automation Technician:

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all OSHA and company safety standards, using required PPE at all times
• Identify and report electrical hazards and take immediate corrective action when needed
• Demonstrate a working understanding of the National Electrical Code (NEC)

Controls & Electrical Systems-Controls / Automation Technician

• Troubleshoot, repair, replace, and calibrate electrical sensors, including photoelectric, inductive, capacitive, magnetic, pressure, temperature, weight, and position sensors
• Troubleshoot, repair, replace, and commission electrical control devices, including:
• AC and DC drives
• Servo controllers
• Motors, breakers, contactors, solenoids
• Power supplies and indicator lights
• Troubleshoot, repair, replace, and commission PLC and HMI hardware, including:
• PLC processors
• Discrete and analog I/O
• Power supplies and network adapters
• Distributed I/O systems
• Operator interfaces (PanelView, PC-based interfaces, message displays such as FactoryTalk View)

Automation & Diagnostics-Controls / Automation Technician

• Diagnose system issues using laptops connected to PLCs, HMIs, and servo systems
• Utilize electrical schematics, meters, oscilloscopes, and other diagnostic tools
• Make minor program changes to PLC logic, HMI programs, and servo controller logic (with guidance) to support troubleshooting and repairs
• Perform wiring and programming changes on production equipment as required

Maintenance & Continuous Support-Controls / Automation Technician

• Perform scheduled electrical preventive maintenance
• Support Production, Maintenance, Process, and Project Engineers with daily priorities and special projects
• Assist with equipment installations and improvement projects as needed
• Share technical knowledge and best practices with team members
• Attend company-provided training sessions when applicable
• Maintain a clean, organized work area

Education & Experience Requirements

• Associate’s degree in Electronics or equivalent Required
• 3 + years of industrial experience
• Proficiency with personal computers, including:
• Controls programming software
• Email, word processing, and spreadsheet applications
• Working knowledge of electrical theory and principles of operation
• Knowledge of controller-based hardware and software systems
• Understanding of product specifications, quality requirements, production goals, efficiency, and waste
• Strong communication and analytical skills
• Ability to operate production equipment with assistance
• Ability to make quick, accurate electrical repairs and program changes
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment

Application Question(s):

• Are you able to work Night Shift-7pm-7am, 2/2/3 schedule?
• Do you have working experience with PLC and HMI hardware? If so, how many years?
• Do you have working experience with electrical sensors? If so, how many years?
• Do you have working experience with electrical control devices (AC/DC drives, Servos, Motors, Breakers)? If so, how many years?

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)