Controls Technician
Actalent
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Job summary
Actalent seeks a Controls Technician in Dubuque, IA to troubleshoot PLCs, calibrate instrumentation, and support daily plant operations. The role blends hands-on electrical/mechanical work with automation projects, spending ~75% on the floor and 25% in the office.
On‑call duties and shift flexibility are required, with a focus on safety and reliability in a USDA‑like food production setting. Ideal candidates have 2+ years of instrumentation/PLC experience, know Allen‑Bradley, Wonderware, and
Qualifications
- Two‑year technical degree or equivalent hands‑on experience.
- Experience in food production environments is preferred.
- Interest in automation engineering and growth into automation roles.
Responsibilities
- Troubleshoot PLC systems and support automated equipment.
- Maintain, calibrate, and repair instrumentation in a food facility.
- Perform electrical and mechanical troubleshooting on plant equipment.
- Conduct preventive and predictive maintenance to reduce downtime.
- Assist with new automation installations and integration.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Job Description
The Controls Technician role is a hands-on position in a highly automated food manufacturing facility, focused on troubleshooting PLCs, maintaining and repairing instrumentation, and supporting daily plant operations. This position blends project-based automation work with responding to equipment issues, with approximately 75% of time spent on the production floor and 25% in the office. The technician plays a key role in ensuring reliable, safe operation of production equipment, assisting with new automation installations, and contributing to continuous improvement of maintenance programs and practices.
Troubleshoot and support PLC systems, including Allen-Bradley, Wonderware, and some Siemens platforms, to ensure reliable operation of automated equipment.
Maintain, calibrate, and repair instrumentation used in a food manufacturing environment to support accurate and consistent process control.
Perform electrical systems support and troubleshooting on plant equipment, following technical manuals, work orders, and established procedures.
Conduct preventive and predictive maintenance activities on production equipment and company assets to reduce downtime and extend equipment life.
Diagnose and repair industrial mechanical issues, including fabricating repair parts as needed to restore equipment to safe and efficient operation.
Respond to equipment breakdowns on the production floor, quickly assessing issues and implementing effective solutions to minimize production interruptions.
Assist with new automation installations, including setup, testing, and integration of control systems into existing plant operations.
Partner closely with maintenance leadership to improve maintenance programs, practices, and documentation, contributing ideas for process and reliability improvements.
Support daily plant operations by ensuring that all production equipment operates safely, efficiently, and in compliance with food manufacturing standards.
Participate in an on-call rotation, providing remote and on-site support for equipment issues according to the established schedule.
Follow all safety procedures and guidelines while working on electrical, mechanical, and automation systems in a food production environment.
Collaborate with the maintenance team and automation lead to share knowledge, troubleshoot complex issues, and support major automation projects planned for the facility.
At least 2 years of instrumentation experience in an industrial environment.
At least 2 years of PLC troubleshooting experience in an industrial environment.
Hands‑on experience with Allen‑Bradley PLCs and control systems.
Experience working with Wonderware and some Siemens automation technologies.
Strong electrical systems support and troubleshooting skills.
Proven ability to perform preventive and predictive maintenance on plant equipment.
Industrial mechanical troubleshooting and repair experience, including fabrication of repair parts.
Two‑year technical degree or equivalent Industrial Electrician experience, with a desire to work in automation.
Mechanical aptitude and the ability to work with both electrical and mechanical systems.
Previous experience working in a food manufacturing environment (for example, USDA‑regulated or large food producers).
Ability and willingness to live within approximately 45 minutes of Dubuque, Iowa to meet on‑call requirements.
Ability to work second or third shift and progress toward preferred shifts based on seniority.
Capability to work effectively in a highly automated facility and adapt to changing technologies and processes.
Experience in electrical, mechanical, or industrial technology, supported by a two‑year technical degree or comparable hands‑on experience.
Experience in food production environments such as USDA‑regulated facilities or large‑scale food manufacturers.
Interest in and aptitude for automation engineering, with potential to grow into automation engineer roles.
Willingness to participate in maintenance trades apprenticeship programs and progress toward journeyman‑level roles.
Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to diagnose complex mechanical, electrical, and automation issues.
Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and work orders.
Effective communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with a 12‑person maintenance team and maintenance leadership.
Adaptability to support large‑scale automation projects planned over the next several years.
The work environment is a highly automated food manufacturing facility where operations can run with a small on‑site team. The role involves a mix of production floor and office work, with approximately 75% of time spent on the floor and 25% in the office. The Controls Technician will work on second or third shift, with shift assignments and progression based strictly on seniority, requiring a willingness to work up to preferred shifts over time. The maintenance team consists of 12 members and 4 leaders, and there is a structured on‑call schedule published a year in advance. On‑call duties are shared among the team, typically resulting in an on‑call week about every 12 weeks, with flexibility to trade scheduled shifts. The technician will work with modern automation technologies, including Allen‑Bradley, Wonderware, and Siemens systems, in an environment focused on continuous improvement and major upcoming automation projects. The facility operates under food production standards, and technicians are expected to follow all safety and cleanliness guidelines appropriate for a food manufacturing setting.
This is a Permanent position based out of Dubuque, IA.
The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $85000.00/yr.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job‑related factors.
Union benefits, Rousselot can not legally share with us because of the union contracts
This is a fully onsite position in Dubuque,IA.
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 2026.
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News‑Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
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