Controls Technician

Adecco Permanent Recruitment; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Adecco Permanent Recruitment seeks a skilled PLC Controls Technician to join our maintenance team in a highly automated manufacturing environment in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. You will troubleshoot, repair, and maintain PLCs, HMIs, vision systems, robotics, and related automation equipment to minimize downtime and improve reliability.

The ideal candidate has an Associate degree in Electrical Technology or equivalent, at least 3 years of industrial electrical/automation experience, and strong

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electrical Technology or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of industrial electrical/controls experience.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and control drawings.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain PLCs, HMIs, vision systems, and robotics.
• Diagnose electrical/control issues and implement corrective actions.
• Analyze PLC programs and schematics to identify root causes.
• Support maintenance teams across all shifts and document changes.
• Assist with installation and commissioning of new equipment.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Schematic reading

Industrial maintenance

Root cause analysis

Education

Associate degree in Electrical Technology

Equivalent education/experience

Tools

Electrical test equipment

Diagnostic tools

Job description

We are seeking a skilled PLC Controls Technician to join our maintenance team in a highly automated manufacturing environment. This role is ideal for a hands‑on electrical and controls professional who enjoys troubleshooting complex equipment, improving system reliability, and supporting advanced manufacturing technologies including PLCs, HMIs, vision systems, robotics, and industrial networks.

You will play a critical role in minimizing downtime, optimizing equipment performance, and driving continuous improvement across plant operations.

What You'll Do:

• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain PLCs, HMIs, industrial PCs, vision systems, robotics, intelligent actuators, and automated production equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, electronic, control system, and machine performance issues.
• Analyze PLC programs, electrical schematics, ladder logic, and machine control systems to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Support production and maintenance teams with controls‑related troubleshooting during all shifts as needed.
• Maintain and update machine software, including downloading, backing up, and documenting program changes on servers and local storage systems.
• Troubleshoot touch screens, industrial PCs, communication networks, cameras, and vision systems.
• Program and modify machine controls, frequency drives, motor starters, and other automation components.
• Assist with installation, startup, and commissioning of new equipment and system upgrades.
• Support maintenance activities involving facility equipment, production machinery, tools, and building systems.
• Troubleshoot refrigeration, HVAC, and plant utility systems as needed.
• Analyze recurring electrical failures, identify trends, and implement corrective actions to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to support continuous improvement initiatives and optimize manufacturing performance.

What You'll Need

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Automation, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of industrial electrical, controls, or automation experience.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control drawings.
• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical systems, machine controls, and automation technologies.
• Hands‑on experience troubleshooting PLC‑controlled equipment.
• Experience using electrical test equipment, meters, and diagnostic tools.
• Strong problem‑solving and root‑cause analysis skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Ability to follow detailed procedures and work safely in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting.
• Experience with HMI development and support.
• Experience troubleshooting vision systems and industrial cameras.
• Experience with robotics, servo systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and intelligent automation equipment.
• Experience managing software revisions, backups, and change control processes.
• Knowledge of industrial networking and server‑based controls systems.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Occasionally lift or move up to 100 pounds with assistance from team members or mechanical lifting equipment.
• Ability to work around manufacturing equipment in an industrial environment.

Why You'll Want This Role

• Work with advanced automation, robotics, PLCs, vision systems, and manufacturing technologies.
• Take ownership of critical troubleshooting and reliability initiatives.
• Be part of a team that values continuous improvement, technical expertise, and problem solving.
• Opportunity to expand your controls, automation, and industrial maintenance skills while making a direct impact on production performance.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.