Controls Technician (Afternoons)

UNC Dairy; Oatka (NY); On-site; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is seeking a Controls Technician to support PLCs, HMIs, VFDs and instrumentation in a dairy manufacturing environment. You will troubleshoot, modify SOPs, and help ensure uninterrupted operation across the production line.

You will work with maintenance and production colleagues, document changes, and respond quickly to equipment issues as the first responder. Starting pay is $30–$40/hour, with equal opportunity employment.

Qualifications

• Associates degree with 3–5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-based control systems, Rockwell software preferred.
• Experience with digital & analog temperature, pressure, flow, speed and weight measurement.
• Experience with discrete sensors and process loop calibration.
• Experience with industrial control networks and configurations (Ethernet, DeviceNet, DH+).
• Experience with 480V 3-phase power distribution and Allen-Bradley motor controls/VFDs.
• Proven ability to work independently and in a team; manufacturing experience with PLCs and automation controls.

Responsibilities

• Install, troubleshoot, and repair PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, vision systems, and motor controls.
• Carry out departmental production plans and establish objectives.
• Lead troubleshooting efforts, assign crew, and coordinate resources.
• Collaborate with maintenance on root-cause analysis and preventative controls.
• Document all modifications to equipment and systems; report issues to supervisor.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Rockwell software

Industrial networks

3-phase power

HMI/SCADA

Allen-Bradley controls

Electrical testing

Team collaboration

Sensing and measurement

Education

Associates degree

Tools

RSLogix 5

RSLogix 500

RSLogix5000

FactoryTalk

WonderWare

Job description

Join a team that nourishes life from farm to table! Upstate Niagara Cooperative, proudly owned by 200+ local family farms, is one of America’s largest and most stable dairy cooperatives. Guided by farmer- and employee-led values, we process and market high-quality milk, yogurt, dips, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more under our trusted brands: Upstate Farms®, Bison®, Milk for Life®, and Intense Milk®. Here, you’ll support sustainable farming, strong communities, and the mission to deliver fresh, local dairy to families every day.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Installs, troubleshoots, repairs the following systems: PLC’s, HMI’s, VFD Drives, Vision Systems, Motor Control Centers, Power Distribution Centers, Motors (DC, AC, Stepper, Servo, etc.), Three Phase/Single Phase - power and control circuits, Control Panel layout and component installation.
• Carry out the departmental production plans and to jointly establish objectives.
• First responder to troubleshooting activities, leading, and assigning crew members and utilizing all available resources to correct controls issues and/or equipment/system breakdowns in an expedient manner.
• Works with Maintenance Mechanics on shift to trouble shoot root cause of problems and puts preventative controls in place to mitigate further issue.
• Communicate daily activity of work order status with business partners and coordinate shift-to-shift handoff.
• Document all modifications to equipment, systems, and respective documentation.
• Report to the Supervisor all operation issues during the shift, or as they become available. Investigate all events and provide full details of facts leading to the event, along with conclusions, and recommendations. Communicate openly to all other O-AT-KA Supervisor/Management staff, sharing problems and solutions.
• Assist with developing and modifying SOP's for processes within the department.
• Collaborate with all business partners to maintain an ongoing, uninterrupted operation to produce high quality products, while maintaining the department in an acceptable manner.
• Proactively evaluate obsolete equipment within the plant making recommendations for repair and/or replacement.
• Other duties as assigned.

Experience & Education Required:

• Associates degree with 3-5 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Knowledge & Skills - Required:

• Experience in troubleshooting PLC based control systems, Rockwell Software desired.
• Experience with digital & analog temperature, pressure, flow, speed and weight measurement.
• Experience with discrete sensors.
• Experience with process loop calibration and equipment.
• Experience with industrial control networks and configuration such as Ethernet, Device Net, DH+
• Experience working with 480v 3 phase power distribution.
• Experience with Allen Bradley motor controls and VFDs.
• Experience using electrical test equipment.
• Proven ability to work well independently and in a collaborative team environment
• Manufacturing experience with PLC’s and automation controls.
• Working knowledge of electrical schematics, power distribution and controls, motor and motor controls, PLC logic controls, HMI’s, and other industrial controls.

Preferred:

• Dairy and/or food processing knowledge, especially Mixing & Blending, Retort operations, automatic packaging, mechanics of systems and equipment and sanitation and safety a plus
• Ability to set IP addresses using BOOTP with working knowledge of various software programs (or ability to learn) to include: RSLogix 5, RSLogix 500, RSLogix5000, Factory Talk to program PCLs, HIMs and Drive. WonderWare experience a plus.

Confidentiality

The Controls Technician is exposed to O-AT-KA customer and product information on a consistent basis.

Management Responsibility

The Controls Technician is an individual contributor role that operates under the general direction of the Controls Supervisor.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts, high speed and processing equipment; is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and toxic or caustic chemicals; is frequently exposed to moderate to high noise levels in the work environment. Must be able to see, grasp hold, walk, climb, bend, and stretch, lift up to 40 lbs. Will spend significant time in the production environment where temperatures fluctuate, floors may be wet, and noise is a constant factor.

Starting Pay: $30-$40/hour*

* The salary range listed for this position represents the good faith and reasonable minimum and maximum pay for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, training, knowledge, education, and overall qualifications. The posted salary range reflects just one component of our total rewards package. Other components of the total rewards package may include participation in group health and/or dental insurance, retirement plan, wellness program, paid time away from work, and paid holidays.

Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc. is committed to equal employment opportunity for all, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other protected characteristic.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.