Dairy Plant Automation & Controls Technician

AMPI; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive starting pay

PTO

401k

Health, dental, vision, life insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee assistance programs

Job summary

AMPI is seeking an Automation & Controls Specialist to serve as the primary SME for industrial automation across six Midwest plants. You will maintain Rockwell PLCs/HMI, troubleshoot complex issues, and optimize control systems to improve reliability and production capacity.

The role requires 5+ years of relevant experience, an associate or technical degree in automation or related fields, and strong knowledge of Rockwell/Allen-Bradley platforms.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical degree, or certificate in Industrial Automation, Electrical Technology, Controls Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Instrumentation, or related discipline; equivalent combo of education and experience.
• 5+ years relevant work experience required.
• Experience with Rockwell PLC and HMI software and systems required.
• AutoCAD LT experience is a plus.
• Technical knowledge of fluid milk, cheese and drying operations in dairy manufacturing preferred.
• Prior experience in manufacturing and automation required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary site subject matter expert for industrial automation, controls, PLCs, HMIs, and associated control systems.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, modify, and optimize Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC-based control systems and HMI applications.
• Diagnose complex automation issues and identify root causes affecting equipment reliability, process performance, and production capability.
• Support automation and controls across fluid processing, milk handling, pasteurization, separation, standardization, cheese making, ingredient systems, CIP, utilities, and packaging operations.
• Troubleshoot and optimize control loops, sensors, transmitters, valves, VFDs, motors, and related control devices.
• Apply controls expertise to improve process stability, equipment performance, yield, quality, and operational consistency.
• Support automation systems associated with fillers, packaging equipment, conveyors, case packing, palletizing, robotics, vision systems, servo/motion systems, and related material handling equipment.
• Troubleshoot communication and controls issues between packaging equipment and upstream/downstream process systems.
• Troubleshoot industrial communication networks and connectivity issues affecting automation and controls systems.
• Support Ethernet/IP and other industrial communication technologies within the plant as required.
• Maintain awareness of network architecture, connected devices, and controls infrastructure that impact plant reliability.

Skills

Industrial automation

Controls engineering

Troubleshooting

Maintenance support

Education

Associate degree in Industrial Automation

Technical degree or certificate (related discipline)

Tools

Rockwell PLC

Rockwell HMI software

AutoCAD LT

Job description

AMPI is seeking an Automation & Controls Specialist to serve as the primary SME for industrial automation across six Midwest plants. You will maintain Rockwell PLCs/HMI, troubleshoot complex issues, and optimize control systems to improve reliability and production capacity.

The role requires 5+ years of relevant experience, an associate or technical degree in automation or related fields, and strong knowledge of Rockwell/Allen-Bradley platforms.