Controls Technician (Nights)

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc; Walker (MI); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

JobRx, Inc. in Walker, Michigan is looking for a Controls Technician to maintain and support the controls infrastructure of automated manufacturing equipment. This position primarily involves troubleshooting PLC systems and addressing controls-related issues on the manufacturing floor.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in controls, at least a high school diploma, and preferably a two-year technical degree. Experience in automated assembly lines and familiarity with standards like FDA Quality System Regulation is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2-4 years of experience in controls or automation.
• Experience supporting automated assembly lines preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Support and maintain controls infrastructure of automated manufacturing equipment.
• Troubleshoot and resolve controls-related issues on the manufacturing floor.
• Assist Engineering with commissioning of new equipment.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Controls systems

Electrical schematics interpretation

Root cause analysis

Servo systems

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

2-year technical degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix

Ethernet/IP

Machine vision systems

Job description

Job Summary

The Controls Technician is responsible for supporting and maintaining the controls infrastructure of automated manufacturing and assembly equipment. This role focuses on troubleshooting and resolving controls‑related issues on the manufacturing floor, including PLC systems, servo motors and drives, sensors, networks, vision systems, and electrical control panels. The Controls Technician works closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality teams to minimize downtime, improve equipment reliability, and ensure all control systems meet safety, regulatory, and operational standards.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Controls Troubleshooting & Support
  • Log into PLCs (e.g., Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent) to diagnose faults, analyze alarms, and identify root causes of equipment failures.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve servo motor and servo drive issues, including replacement, alignment, tuning, and verification of proper operation.
  • Train, configure, and calibrate sensors (photoelectric, proximity, pressure, vision triggers, interlocks, etc.).
  • Diagnose and resolve machine network communication issues (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, ProfiNet, or equivalent).
  • Support and troubleshoot machine vision systems, including camera alignment, lighting adjustments, and inspection validation.
  • Assist production during shift operations with controls‑related downtime events.
• Electrical & Panel Integrity
  • Inspect electrical control panels to ensure compliance with company and industry standards.
  • Verify proper wire labeling, terminal tightness, and organized panel layout.
  • Identify and correct loose terminals, damaged wiring, or non‑compliant installations.
  • Support electrical safety compliance and ensure adherence to applicable codes and standards.
• Project Ownership & Continuous Improvement
  • Own and execute controls‑related projects assigned by management.
  • Support implementation of controls upgrades, system improvements, and equipment modifications.
  • Assist Engineering with commissioning of new equipment and validation of controls functionality.
  • Recommend improvements to enhance machine uptime, reliability, and performance.
  • Participate in root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities related to controls failures.
• Documentation & Communication
  • Maintain accurate documentation of troubleshooting activities, repairs, and configuration changes.
  • Update electrical schematics, network diagrams, and controls documentation as required.
  • Communicate downtime causes and corrective actions clearly to shift leaders and management.
  • Interface daily with Production, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to ensure alignment on equipment status.
• Compliance & Quality
  • Ensure all work complies with safety standards, electrical codes, and company policies.
  • Support compliance with FDA Quality System Regulation, cGMP, ISO, and other applicable standards.
  • Follow change control procedures when modifying control systems.
  • Maintain clean and organized work areas in accordance with 5S principles.
• General Expectations
  • Exhibits regular, reliable, punctual, and predictable attendance.
  • Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures, and safety rules.
  • Performs other duties as assigned based on business needs.

Education

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• 2‑year technical degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or related field preferred.

Work Experience

• Minimum 2‑4 years of experience in controls, automation, or industrial electrical systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting automated assembly lines preferred.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of PLC platforms (Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix preferred).
• Experience with:
• Servo systems and motion control
• Industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, etc.)
• Machine vision systems
• HMI troubleshooting
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and ladder logic.
• Strong root cause analysis and troubleshooting skills.
• Familiarity with medical device or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments preferred.
• Knowledge of FDA Quality System Regulation, cGMP, and ISO standards.

Physical Requirements

Sedentary; exerting up to 10 lbs/4 kgs of force occasionally, and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to perform job duties as required with limited physical demands.

Shift

Night Shift

West is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you have a special need that requires accommodation in order to apply to West, please send an email to [e-mail]. Where permitted by law, an offer of employment with West Pharmaceutical Services, or any of its subsidiary or affiliate companies, is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of background screening.