Automation & Controls Specialist

Colgate; Tonganoxie (KS); On-site; USD 64,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Colgate-Palmolive, through Hill’s Pet Nutrition, seeks an Automation & Controls Specialist for the 3rd shift in Tonganoxie, KS. You will provide hands-on support, maintain plant automation, and mentor maintenance engineers, focusing on AMR/LGV fleets, PLCs, and electrical systems.

Responsibilities include diagnostics, ladder logic programming, sensor calibration, and system backups. On-site role with travel up to 10% as needed.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of plant maintenance or PLC programming role.
• 2+ years with a related technical degree as alternative.
• Bachelor's degree with 1 year PLC experience.

Responsibilities

• AMR/LGV fleet support, diagnostics and maintenance.
• System integration of robotic cells and safety interlocks.
• Drives and motors: maintain and troubleshoot VFDs and servo motors.
• Electrical diagnostics: read schematics and diagnose 3-phase/120/24V systems.
• Sensor/instrument calibration: calibrate sensors and meters.
• PLC & ladder logic: programming, troubleshooting, AOI blocks.

Skills

AMRs

LGVs

Ladder logic

Electrical troubleshooting

Mentorship

PLC programming

Schematic reading

Education

High School Diploma

Technical degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Panelview

Wonderware/AVEVA

Ethernet/IP

VFDs

Job description

A part of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976, Hill's Pet Nutrition offers the highest-quality pet nutrition available through product lines Prescription Diet® and Science Diet®.

Available in approximately 80 countries around the world, our extensive line of products includes more than 60 Prescription Diet brand pet foods and more than 50 Science Diet brand pet foods.

We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That is why we are proud our pet foods can make a difference in your pet's life.

A career at Hill’s Pet Nutrition or Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Job Title: Automation & Controls Specialist

Travel Required?: Travel - up to 10% of time

Posting Start Date: 10/13/26

On-site

No Relocation Assistance Offered Job Number#176505 - Tonganoxie, Kansas, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous— we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

Work visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis and must not require the Company's sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

At Hill’s we have a purpose to transform the lives of millions of pet families through pioneering innovation, science-led nutrition, and the best and brightest people. If you’re interested in work that matters, fueled by passion for pets, we invite you to apply.

Founded more than 75 years ago with an unwavering commitment to pet nutrition, Hill’s mission is to help enrich and lengthen the special relationships between people and their pets. Our decades of science and research guide us in creating nutrition that’s a step ahead so pets and pet parents can enjoy every day together. As the US #1 Veterinarian recommended pet food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+ veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to develop breakthrough innovations in pet health.

3rd shift (11:00 PM to 7:30 AM)

The Automation & Controls Specialist is responsible for providing hands-on technical support, continuous maintenance, and expert troubleshooting of plant floor electrical, automation, and control systems. This role focuses directly on the physical repair, calibration, and commissioning of field instrumentation, sensors, motors, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), electrical distribution circuits, and PLC systems utilizing ladder logic.

Additionally, this position is responsible for supporting, troubleshooting, and optimizing the facility's Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) and Laser Guided Vehicle (LGV/AGV) fleets. Beyond technical execution, this role serves as a key technical mentor for Tier 1 and Tier 2 maintenance engineers, elevating the site's overall technical capability.

Key Responsibilities

AMR & LGV Fleet Support

• Robotics Fleet Maintenance: Support, troubleshoot, perform diagnostics, electrician and mechanical repair, and maintenance for the plant's Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) and Laser Guided Vehicle (LGV/AGV) fleets.
• System Integration: Maintain and troubleshoot collaborative and industrial robotic cells, vision systems, and safety interlocks integrated with automated guided vehicles.

Hands-On Repair, Motors, VFDs & Electrical Systems

• Drives & Motors: Commission, perform preventative maintenance on, and troubleshoot Variable Frequency AC Drives (VFDs), 3-phase motor starters, and servo motors and drives.
• Electrical Diagnostics: Read and interpret electrical schematics and P&ID prints to diagnose and repair 3-phase 480 VAC power circuits, 120 VAC control loops, and 24 VAC/VDC systems in compliance with NEC regulatory standards.
• Sensor & Instrumentation Calibration: Perform hands-on replacement, adjustment, and calibration of discrete and analog sensors (pressure, level, temperature), flow meters, load cells, photoelectric sensors, solenoids, control valves, metal detectors, container fill detectors, and vacuum detection systems.

PLC & Ladder Logic Automation

• Ladder Logic Troubleshooting: Program, maintain, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and GuardLogix PLCs utilizing ladder logic programming, Sequencer programming, and Add-On Instruction (AOI) blocks.
• Hardware & I/O Maintenance: Power up electrical control panels, configure hardware per application specifications, and maintain control system I/O structures including Flex IO and Point IO modules.
• System Backups & Integrity: Follow strict software/hardware backup procedures for PLCs, Panelview operator interfaces, programmable switches, and VFDs while documenting all modifications made to electrical schematics.
• Mentorship & Coaching: Act as a hands‑on technical mentor to Tier 1 and Tier 2 maintenance engineers, technicians, and system operators to build shift‑level competency in electrical diagnostics, ladder logic, and robotic systems.
• Training Content Creation: Conduct technical training using written SOPs, digital flow tools, and audiovisual content covering control systems, electrical troubleshooting, and plant safety standards.
• Shift Support: Serve as a primary technical escalation resource during shift operations, which includes climbing, bending, crawling, and physical positioning around process equipment.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma with 5+ years of plant technical/maintenance experience related to PLC Programming, AMRs, LGVs, OR 2+ years technical degree in related to PLC Programming AMRs, LGVs, OR a Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 1 year of PLC experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with 480 VAC 3-phase, 120 VAC, and 24 VDC control circuits; expert schematic reading; NEC regulatory knowledge; hands‑on repair of VFDs, motors, and field sensors.
• Strong ability to program, edit, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix/GuardLogix) using ladder logic, Sequencers, and AOI blocks.
• Experience troubleshooting and configuring AMRs, LGVs, AGVs, or industrial robotics platforms within a high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and coaching skills with proven success in training Tier 1 and Tier 2 technical personnel.
• Familiarity with Panelview, Wonderware/AVEVA platforms, basic Industrial Ethernet/IP networking, and digital collaboration tools

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $64,000.00 - $80,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year). Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

For additional Colgate terms and conditions, please click here .

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