Automation Controls Specialist - Farm

All Jobs bv; Cokato (MN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsman Farms is seeking an experienced Automation Controls Specialist to develop, support, troubleshoot, and improve automation systems across farm operations. This role blends office work with field support to keep systems reliable and easy to operate.

You will work with operations, maintenance and electrical teams to implement practical automation solutions, program PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and interfaces, and document changes to ensure ongoing performance and uptime.

Qualifications

• Industrial controls and automation programming experience.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley Studio 5000.
• Experience with Ignition Vision and Perspective.
• Knowledge of Modbus, EtherNet/IP, or BACnet.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and troubleshoot control systems.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills with both technical and non-technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Support, troubleshoot, maintain and improve PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, VFDs, instrumentation and sensors.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, electrical teams to identify needs and develop solutions.
• Program, modify and troubleshoot control systems and automation applications.
• Develop and maintain intuitive, reliable user interfaces and control solutions.
• Troubleshoot communication and connectivity between control systems and devices.
• Support system upgrades, testing, commissioning, startup, and implementation.
• Provide remote and field-based technical support as needed.
• Identify opportunities to enhance reliability, efficiency, functionality and usability.
• Document system changes and troubleshooting activities.

Skills

Industrial controls

Automation programming

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

Ignition Vision & Perspective

Industrial communications

Tools

Python scripting

SQL/databases

Industrial networking

VFDs

Instrumentation

Electrical troubleshooting

Job description

Forsman Farms is seeking an experienced Automation Controls Specialist to develop, support, troubleshoot, and improve the automation systems used throughout our farm operations. This position helps ensure our automated processes are reliable, efficient, and easy to operate and maintain.

This position is approximately 90% office-based and 10% field-based. The role works closely with operations, maintenance, electrical, management, and other departments to understand problems and opportunities and turn them into simple, intuitive, and reliable automation solutions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support, troubleshoot, maintain, and improve PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, VFDs, instrumentation, sensors, and other automation and control systems.
• Work with operations, maintenance, electrical, and other departments to identify problems, understand needs, and develop practical solutions.
• Program, modify, and troubleshoot control systems and automation applications.
• Develop and maintain user interfaces and control solutions that are intuitive, reliable, and easy to operate and troubleshoot.
• Troubleshoot communication and connectivity issues between control systems, equipment, and devices.
• Support system upgrades, testing, commissioning, startup, and implementation of new automation solutions.
• Provide remote and field-based troubleshooting and technical support as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, efficiency, functionality, and ease of use.
• Document system changes, troubleshooting activities, and other technical information as needed.
• Use sound judgment when troubleshooting critical issues, including knowing when to involve others or seek additional support.

Qualifications:

• Industrial controls and automation programming experience.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley Studio 5000.
• Experience with Inductive Automation's Ignition Vision and Perspective.
• Working knowledge of industrial communications, such as Modbus, EtherNet/IP, or BACnet.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and troubleshoot control systems.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills with the ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical team members.
• Experience with Python scripting, SQL/databases, industrial networking, VFDs, instrumentation, and electrical troubleshooting is helpful but not required.
• Relevant field experience and demonstrated controls and automation ability are acceptable in place of formal education.

Resumen del Puesto:

Forsman Farms busca un Especialista en Automatización y Controles con experiencia para desarrollar, brindar soporte, diagnosticar y mejorar los sistemas de automatización utilizados en nuestras operaciones agrícolas. Estos sistemas incluyen ventilación de los gallineros, alimentación, iluminación, recolección de huevos, manejo de estiércol y otros procesos automatizados.

Este puesto es aproximadamente 90% en oficina y 10% en campo. La persona en este puesto trabajará en estrecha colaboración con los equipos de operaciones, mantenimiento, electricidad, gerencia y otros departamentos para comprender problemas y oportunidades, y convertirlos en soluciones de automatización simples, intuitivas y confiables.

Responsabilidades principales:

• Brindar soporte, diagnosticar, mantener y mejorar PLC, HMI, sistemas SCADA, VFD, instrumentación, sensores y otros sistemas de automatización y control.
• Trabajar con los equipos de operaciones, mantenimiento, electricidad y otros departamentos para identificar problemas, comprender necesidades y desarrollar soluciones prácticas.
• Programar, modificar y diagnosticar sistemas de control y aplicaciones de automatización.
• Desarrollar y mantener interfaces de usuario y soluciones de control que sean intuitivas, confiables y fáciles de operar y diagnosticar.
• Diagnosticar problemas de comunicación y conectividad entre sistemas de control, equipos y dispositivos.
• Brindar soporte en actualizaciones de sistemas, pruebas, puesta en marcha, arranque e implementación de nuevas soluciones de automatización.
• Proporcionar soporte técnico y diagnóstico de problemas de forma remota y en campo, según sea necesario.
• Identificar oportunidades para mejorar la confiabilidad, eficiencia, funcionalidad y facilidad de uso de los sistemas.
• Documentar cambios en los sistemas, actividades de diagnóstico y otra información técnica según sea necesario.
• Utilizar buen criterio al atender problemas críticos, incluyendo saber cuándo involucrar a otras personas o solicitar apoyo adicional.

Requisitos:

• Experiencia en controles industriales y programación de sistemas de automatización.
• Experiencia con Allen-Bradley Studio 5000.
• Experiencia con Inductive Automation Ignition Vision y Perspective.
• Conocimientos prácticos de sistemas de comunicación industrial, como Modbus, EtherNet/IP o BACnet.
• Capacidad para leer diagramas eléctricos y diagnosticar problemas en sistemas de control.
• Fuertes habilidades para resolver problemas y comunicarse eficazmente con miembros de equipos técnicos y no técnicos.
• Se prefiere, pero no es obligatorio, tener experiencia con programación en Python, SQL/bases de datos, redes industriales, VFD, instrumentación y diagnóstico de problemas eléctricos.
• La experiencia relevante en el campo y la capacidad demostrada en controles y automatización pueden sustituir la educación formal.