Controls Technician

Electrical Automation Services; DeKalb (IL); On-site; USD 34,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Dental insurance

Health insurance

Vision insurance

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Electrical Automation Services seeks an on-site Automation Technician in DeKalb, IL, to install, program, and troubleshoot PLC-based systems and HMI interfaces. You will work with photo eyes, proximity switches, limit switches, and 480V three-phase power, supporting servo motors, drives, and encoders on packaging lines.

The role requires PLC programming experience, safety training, and the ability to collaborate with maintenance and production teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Demonstrated experience with PLCs and automation systems is required.
• Experience with packaging equipment in manufacturing is preferred.
• Knowledge of lockout/tagout and safety procedures is preferred.
• Willingness to work 2nd or 3rd shift and overtime as needed.
• Familiarity with 480V 3-phase power and servo motors is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Install, configure, and troubleshoot photo eyes, proximity switches, limit switches, PLC I/O modules and control wiring.
• Provide troubleshooting for analog/digital controls including 480V 3-phase power, motors, VFDs, servo drives, and soft starts.
• Maintain and service encoders and load cells; support PLC and HMI programming.
• Modify PLC logic and ladder routines; diagnose and fix HMI interfaces and graphic screens.
• Troubleshoot communication protocols (Profibus, serial, Ethernet) and electrical schematics.
• Perform preventive maintenance on conveyors, Laser Guided Vehicles, and production equipment.

Skills

PLC programming

Servo systems

Encoders

Load cells

HMI interfaces

Electrical schematics

Industrial networking

3-phase power

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

PLCs

HMI panels

VFDs

Job description

Location: This position is on-site in DeKalb, IL. Please apply only if you live within 37 miles of DeKalb.Ability to work 3rd shift, Overtime (1.5) after 40 hours and double time after 48 hours. 10 paid holidays, PTO upon start, regular and irregular raises based on performance.Duties:Perform installation, configuration and troubleshooting of photo eyes, proximity switches, limit switches, PLC input/output modules, and all associated control wiring.Provide troubleshooting expertise of analog and digital controls with 480V, 3 phase power distribution systems, motors, variable frequency drives, servo drives, and soft starts.Maintain and troubleshoot position feedback devices encoders, and load cells.Programming and troubleshooting of PLC and HMI interfaces.Perform configuration and logic modifications to PLC control systems. Modifications will include programming in ladder logic.Troubleshoot and diagnose configuration and implementation of integrated and stand-alone graphic human-machine interfaces.Troubleshoot and diagnose specification of communication protocols, including Profibus, serial and industrial Ethernet.Troubleshoot and diagnose equipment issues utilizing electrical schematicsDiagnose and perform preventive maintenance on Laser Guided Vehicles, conveyors, and production equipmentEducation/Experience:High School Diploma or equivalent requiredDemonstrated experience working with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), servo systems required.Experienced in working with computerized maintenance systems preferred.Experience with troubleshooting and performing maintenance on packaging equipment in a manufacturing environment preferredThorough understanding of manufacturing safety procedures (lockout/tagout, confine spaces, personal protective equipment, etc.) preferredPLC programming preferredExperience with electrical encoders, servomotors, and amplifiers preferredProficient with electrical schematicsBenefits:401(k)Dental insuranceHealth insuranceRelocation assistanceVision insuranceApplication Question(s):Are you willing to work 2nd shift (2-10pm) or 3rd shift (10pm-6am)?Work Location: In person