Automation & Controls Technician - $6,000 Bonus Pays

Grande; Rolling Meadows (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free onsite clinics

Free onsite fitness center

Free healthy snacks

Health and wellness reimbursement

Associate cheese purchasing program

Two-year mentorship program

Job summary

Grande Cheese is seeking an Automation & Controls Technician for its Fond du Lac, Wisconsin facility.

You will serve as the subject matter expert for automation, controls, and electrical systems, leading projects, troubleshooting complex issues, and driving continuous improvement to reliability and production performance.

Qualifications

• 2 Year / Associate Degree in an Electrical or other related technical field is required or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of five (5) years related Maintenance experience.
• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, AC/servo drives, and Allen-Bradley systems.
• Knowledge of instrumentation, calibration, troubleshooting, and PID control loops.
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, wiring, controls, and power distribution.
• Experience with industrial networks and communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Rockwell software, AutoCAD, and Visio.
• Knowledge of industrial machinery, pneumatics, hydraulics, and packaging equipment.
• Project management experience.
• Ability/willingness to travel to the Grande Lomira Distribution Center and Rubicon Facility location approximately 15% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Lead PLC and HMI programming, troubleshooting, and optimization efforts.
• Drive automation and controls improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Serve as the site's technical expert for control systems, industrial networks, and electrical equipment.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering teams to improve reliability and production performance.
• Mentor Maintenance Technicians and support technical skill development across the facility.
• Grow your expertise at your own pace through hands-on experience, technical training, and continuous learning opportunities.

Skills

PLCs

HMIs

AC/servo drives

Allen-Bradley systems

industrial networks

instrumentation

calibration

PID control loops

Power distribution

Microsoft Office

Rockwell software

AutoCAD

Visio

pneumatics

hydraulics

packaging equipment

project management

Education

2 Year / Associate Degree in Electrical or related technical field

Tools

AutoCAD

Visio

Job description

Posting Details

• Posted on November 6, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location Fond du Lac, WI 54937, USA

• On-site
• Maintenance
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: AUTOM007280

Description

J ob Summary

Join Grande Cheese as a Automation & Controls Technician supporting our cheese conversion facility in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. In this role, you'll serve as the facility's subject matter expert for automation, controls, and electrical systems, leading projects, troubleshooting complex issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance reliability, efficiency, and production performance. This position partners closely with Operations, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to implement automation solutions, support plant technology, and optimize manufacturing processes. Leveraging your expertise in Allen-Bradley PLCs, Rockwell Automation, HMIs, SCADA, VFDs, industrial networking, and electrical controls, you'll play a critical role in the success of the Fond du Lac facility while helping develop the technical capabilities of those around you. Hours & Shift: Monday - Friday; 9:00AM-5:00PM What You'll Do:

• Lead PLC and HMI programming, troubleshooting, and optimization efforts.
• Drive automation and controls improvement projects from concept through implementation.
• Serve as the site's technical expert for control systems, industrial networks, and electrical equipment.
• Partner with Operations and Engineering teams to improve reliability and production performance.
• Mentor Maintenance Technicians and support technical skill development across the facility.
• Grow your expertise at your own pace through hands-on experience, technical training, and continuous learning opportunities.

Competitive Pay + Up to $6,000 in Bonuses

• $3,000 sign-on bonus paid within your first 30 days
• $3,000 retention bonus paid after 6 months of service

What you need to be considered for the role:

• 2 Year / Associate Degree in an Electrical or other related technical field required. An equivalent level of experience may be considered.
• Minimum of five (5) years related Maintenance experience.
• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, AC/servo drives, and Allen-Bradley systems.
• Knowledge of instrumentation, calibration, troubleshooting, and PID control loops.
• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, wiring, controls, and power distribution.
• Experience with industrial networks and communications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Rockwell software, AutoCAD, and Visio.
• Knowledge of industrial machinery, pneumatics, hydraulics, and packaging equipment.
• Project management experience.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and mathematical skills.
• Ability/willingness to travel to the Grande Lomira Distribution Center and Rubicon Facility location approximately 15% of the time.

Experience That May Transfer Well

Experience in any of the following may be a good foundation for this role:

• Electronics manufacturing
• SMT (Surface Mount Technology)
• PCB (Printed Circuit Board) assembly
• Manufacturing or production technician experience
• Machine operation and troubleshooting
• Industrial maintenance
• Electromechanical equipment
• Automotive repair or automotive technology
• Robotics or automation
• Technical school training or manufacturing technology programs

Why Fond du Lac?

In Fond du Lac (FDL) you get the full four-season experience - warm in the summer with highs reaching into the 80s and plenty of sunshine for golf, biking, camping and live music under the open sky, and brisk air in the winter with average temps in the 20s and ample snow for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and winter festivals. The greater FDL area (population 43,000) is easy to get around and roughly an hour drive to almost all major metros in the state (Milwaukee, Madison and Fox Cities/Green Bay). We've been rated "Top 100" in job growth among small U.S. metro areas. Additionally, our cost of living is 4% below the national average and you'll pay 21% less for housing, rent and property taxes compared to the rest of the country. From wonderful educational partners (public and private K12 schools and three local colleges/universities), a plethora of things to do/see, and a vibrant business and commerce community… learn more about how you can call Fond du Lac, HOME!

Why Grande?

With more than 80 years of crafting "The Finest Italian Cheeses Money Can Buy", Grande is a leader in the industry! Whether partnering with independent pizzerias from coast-to-coast to ensure they're delivering the very best pizza to their customers or assisting our food manufacturing partners in delivering specialty whey ingredient solutions, our commitment to quality can't be matched. While Grande’s reputation of excellence in the market is important, we believe our commitment to our workplace and community culture is of equal merit – our Associates come first at Grande. To complement our industry-leading benefits, Grande puts an emphasis on your career growth opportunities, while always promoting a positive work/life balance and supporting the communities in which we live and work. If you want to learn more about our company – what we do and how we go about it – or learn more about us, visit www.grande.com .

Did we convince you yet? If not check out our unique benefits

• Free onsite clinics.
• Free onsite fitness center.
• Free healthy snacks throughout facility.
• Health and wellness reimbursement program.
• Associate cheese purchasing program.
• Two-year mentorship program.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.