Automation Controls Technician – PLC & HMI Expert

Socket.dev; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Pension

Paid holidays

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

Short/long-term disability

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co Inc. in Lancaster, PA is seeking an Automation Controls Technician to support, troubleshoot, program, and improve PLC-based control systems across our factory operations.

You will work with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and external vendors to maintain equipment reliability and drive continuous improvements. Ideal candidates have an associate degree or technical certificate and at least 3 years of PLC experience in manufacturing, with strong knowledge of ladder

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or technical school certificate required.
• Minimum of 3 years programming, troubleshooting, or maintaining PLC-controlled equipment.

Responsibilities

• Program, troubleshoot, modify, and maintain PLC systems across production lines.
• Support automated equipment including conveyors, presses, dryers, sorters, sensors and drives.
• Diagnose electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, and control issues to reduce downtime.
• Develop and modify PLC logic, HMI screens, alarms, setpoints, and interlocks.
• Maintain backups, drawings, I/O lists, and change records for control systems.
• Identify recurring issues, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Assist with installation, commissioning, testing, and startup of new equipment.
• Provide training on control systems and safe restart procedures to maintenance staff.
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors for upgrades and repairs.
• Ensure compliance with safety policies, LOTO, electrical codes, and machine guarding.
• Support preventive maintenance and reliability improvements.
• Collaborate with production leadership to improve throughput and efficiency.
• Respond to breakdowns and provide on-call support when needed.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Skills

PLC programming

Ladder logic

HMI systems

VFDs

Industrial sensors

Motor controls

Safety circuits

Control panels

Electrical drawings

Troubleshooting

Education

Associate’s degree or technical certificate

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation

Siemens

Schneider

CMMS

Job description

Lancaster Leaf Tobacco Co Inc. in Lancaster, PA is seeking an Automation Controls Technician to support, troubleshoot, program, and improve PLC-based control systems across our factory operations.

You will work with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, and external vendors to maintain equipment reliability and drive continuous improvements. Ideal candidates have an associate degree or technical certificate and at least 3 years of PLC experience in manufacturing, with strong knowledge of ladder