Controls Technician Intern

firstquality; Lewistown (Mifflin County); On-site; USD 2,066,000 - 3,031,000; Full time

Job summary

First Quality Retail Services, LLC in Lewistown, PA is seeking interns for 2027 internship programs. These full-time, paid positions offer hands-on experience with real projects and measurable results.

The role focuses on identifying and correcting issues that affect production equipment efficiency, including PLC logic, wiring, and automation troubleshooting, while providing exposure to cutting-edge technology and high-speed manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Mechatronics or related field study; or enrolled in an Associate degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Automation, Computer Science, or related field.
• PC skills incl. basic software, email, word processing, and spreadsheets.
• Strong communication skills.
• Communicates with maintenance and production staff to understand requirements for efficient machine operation.
• Strong analytical and root-cause analysis abilities.
• Programming experience with one or more languages.

Responsibilities

• Observes OSHA and company safety rules and uses proper safety equipment. Identifies dangerous electrical hazards and takes corrective action.
• Assist with diagnosing problems using PLCs, electrical schematics, multimeters, oscilloscopes and related resources.
• Assist with preventive maintenance tasks including backups, checking connections, and safety checks.
• Organize equipment documentation from OEMs, produced documents and troubleshooting guides.
• Share knowledge and techniques with team members.

Skills

PLC programming

Electrical troubleshooting

Teamwork

Communication

Problem solving

Education

Mechatronics background

Associate degree in Industrial Automation

Tools

PLC software

Electrical schematics

Multimeter

Oscilloscope

Job description

First Quality Retail Services, LLC in Lewistown, PA is seeking talented, team-oriented members for its Internship Programs in 2027 . We have one goal: providing you with real life, hands‑on experience! These positions are full‑time, paid positions where you will work on real projects with real results !

Purpose and role of job:

This role helps to identify and correct issues keeping production equipment and associated machinery from running efficiently .

Internship Outcomes

• Improve programming and editing PLC logic skills.
• Improve knowledge of available tools and resources to assist with troubleshooting industrial automation equipment.
• Learn networking skills.
• Gain exposure to troubleshooting electro‑mechanical machinery using real‑time software, electrical drawings, and a multi‑meter.
• Improve effective communication skills in a professional environment.
• Gain experience in high speed manufacturing.
• Gain exposure to cutting edge technology.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

• Observes OSHA and company safety rules and uses the proper safety equipment at all times . Identifies potentially dangerous electrical hazards and takes immediate corrective action.
• Work with experienced technicians to d iagnose problems using : laptop computers interfaced to PLC's, electrical schematics, multi meters, oscilloscopes, and any additional resources available.
• Assist with completing P reventative M aintenance tasks including backing up programs, checking electrical connections, and safety systems checks.
• Organize equipment documentation from OEMs, FQ produced documents and troubleshooting guides.
• Shares knowledge and techniques with team members .

Education and experience requirements:

• High school graduate with Mechatronic (or similar) experience; or C urrently enrolled in an Associate' s Degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Automation , Computer Science, or related field.
• Personal Computer skills including specific controls programming software and basic e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet applications, and project management software.
• Strong communication skills.
• Communicates with the maintenance and production staff to understand what is required to make the machines operate as efficiently as possible while making the best product possible.
• Communicates with the production staff to identify problems and possible causes on the machinery.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Identifies machine problems and their potential causes by drawing on past experiences and utilizing critical thinking.
• Devises and performs tests to identify the root cause of problems.
• Analyzes data from equipment/program testing, event logs, operator/co-worker feedback, and historian data to identify trends and anomalies that indicate sources of inefficiency.
• Identifies possible causes of future downtime and determine appropriate actions to take to prevent them.
• Programming experience with one or more program languages.
• Wide degree of creativity is encouraged.
• Can identify numerous alternative solutions and choose between them.
• Initiates new standards and practices that will improve the effectiveness of the machine controls and controls group.
• Ability to work well with others at any experience level of any team within First Quality.

Work Environment:

Work in an environment exposed to dust.

Work in an environment exposed to marked changes in temperature or humidity.

Physical Requirements:

Occasional stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, crawl throughout shift.

Occasional climbing and reaching into machines.

Occasional reaching overhead during shift.

Frequent lifting or carrying of 30 lbs but occasional lifting/carrying which could include a two person lift of 100 lbs. from floor to waist, waist to shoulder.

Constant use of hands.

Constant light and firm grasping with hands throughout shift.

Continuous housekeeping by organizing work area.

Occasional climbing of steps/ladders.

Occasional twisting and turning of wrists.

First Quality is committed to protecting information under the care of First Quality Enterprises commensurate with leading industry standards and applicable regulations. As such, First Quality provides at least annual training regarding data privacy and security to employees who, as a result of their role specifications, may come in to contact with sensitive data.

First Quality is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identification, or protected Veteran status.