Controls and Automation Technician

FlexTek; West Memphis (AR); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

FlexTek seeks an experienced Industrial Controls & Electrical Technician to support a live manufacturing plant in Arkansas. You will diagnose electrical and control issues, modify PLC/HMI programs, and perform preventative maintenance to maximize equipment uptime and reliability.

You will read schematics and loop diagrams, work with Engineering and Operations on upgrades, and document all changes and maintenance activities to ensure compliance and safety.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands‑on industrial controls, electrical, instrumentation, or automation experience in a manufacturing, chemical, process, or similar industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and working directly with PLCs and HMIs, including the ability to go online with live systems, interpret ladder logic/control logic, diagnose faults, and make programming modifications.
• Strong working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, instrumentation, VFDs, MCCs, motors, pumps, valves, and automated equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, loop diagrams, control narratives, and technical drawings.
• Experience using electrical testing and diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot equipment failures and determine root causes.
• Working knowledge of LOTO, OSHA, NEC, and industrial electrical safety practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem‑solving, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and respond effectively to equipment failures and plant operational needs.

Responsibilities

• Connect to and troubleshoot live PLC and HMI systems, interpret existing control logic, modify programs as needed, document changes, and restore equipment functionality.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair PLC‑based control systems, HMIs, industrial networks, instrumentation, drives, electrical equipment, and automation components to maintain safe and reliable plant operations.
• Perform control system modifications, commissioning activities, loop checks, calibration support, startup assistance, and system upgrades, ensuring all work and changes are properly documented.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, loop diagrams, P&IDs, blueprints, control narratives, and technical drawings to diagnose problems and support field execution.
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on a variety of plant equipment, including PLC panels and HMIs, instrumentation, motors, MCCs, VFDs, pumps, valves, burners, and blowers.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI

Electrical systems

Instrumentation

Troubleshooting

Documentation

Tools

Multimeters

Diagnostic tools

Control networks

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Industrial Controls & Electrical Technician with 3–5 years of hands‑on experience programming, troubleshooting, maintaining, and repairing PLC‑based control systems, HMI platforms, industrial electrical systems, instrumentation, and automation equipment within a live industrial or manufacturing environment.

This position will play a key role in supporting plant reliability and equipment uptime by diagnosing electrical and controls issues, making PLC/HMI modifications, performing preventative and corrective maintenance, and partnering with Engineering and Operations on equipment improvements and commissioning activities.

• Connect to and troubleshoot live PLC and HMI systems, interpret existing control logic, modify programs as needed, document changes, and restore equipment functionality.
• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair PLC‑based control systems, HMIs, industrial networks, instrumentation, drives, electrical equipment, and automation components to maintain safe and reliable plant operations.
• Perform control system modifications, commissioning activities, loop checks, calibration support, startup assistance, and system upgrades, ensuring all work and changes are properly documented.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, loop diagrams, P&IDs, blueprints, control narratives, and technical drawings to diagnose problems and support field execution.
• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on a variety of plant equipment, including:
• PLC panels and HMIs
• Instrumentation and field wiring
• Motors and motor controls
• MCCs and VFDs
• Pumps and valves
• Burners and blowers
• Other electrical, mechanical, and automated plant equipment
• Utilize multimeters, electrical testing equipment, and diagnostic tools to identify equipment failures, determine root causes, and implement corrective actions that improve reliability and minimize downtime.
• Partner with Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations to support equipment repairs, control strategy improvements, commissioning activities, system upgrades, and continuous reliability initiatives.
• Maintain accurate and timely maintenance records, PLC/HMI programming documentation, calibration records, inspection reports, and equipment documentation.
• Work safely and independently in an active industrial plant environment while demonstrating strong troubleshooting ability, technical judgment, and ownership of assigned work.
• Ensure all work complies with OSHA regulations, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, National Electrical Code (NEC) standards, company safety policies, and site‑specific electrical requirements.
• Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment while supporting overall plant reliability, equipment uptime, safety, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of hands‑on industrial controls, electrical, instrumentation, or automation experience in a manufacturing, chemical, process, or similar industrial environment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and working directly with PLCs and HMIs, including the ability to go online with live systems, interpret ladder logic/control logic, diagnose faults, and make programming modifications.
• Strong working knowledge of industrial electrical systems, instrumentation, VFDs, MCCs, motors, pumps, valves, and automated equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, loop diagrams, control narratives, and technical drawings.
• Experience using electrical testing and diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot equipment failures and determine root causes.
• Working knowledge of LOTO, OSHA, NEC, and industrial electrical safety practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, problem‑solving, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to work independently and respond effectively to equipment failures and plant operational needs.