Instrumentation & Controls Technician

UPL; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

DECCO Postharvest in Visalia, CA is seeking an Instrumentation & Controls Technician to advance automation and control systems. The role requires collaboration across groups and time in office, workshop, and at customer locations for hands‑on operation of Decco products and services.

The technician will design, install, test, and upgrade PLC/HMI systems, calibrate instrumentation, and support field installations. Travel to customer sites is required.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electrical Technology, Industrial Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in industrial automation, controls, instrumentation, electrical maintenance, or related work.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, and industrial control systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and use diagnostic test equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and organizational skills.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to customer locations, including overnight travel.
• Maintain required licenses and certifications.

Responsibilities

• Design, configure, install, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and automated control systems.
• Lead testing, commissioning, and upgrades involving control systems.
• Diagnose and remedy issues with control panels, sensors, actuators, and various other devices.
• Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot process instrumentation, including temperature, pressure, flow, level, pH, and conductivity devices.
• Maintain calibration records and verify instrument accuracy.
• Identify opportunities to improve return on investment through equipment acquisition and performance.
• Install and maintain electrical wiring, control equipment, and industrial communication networks.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical control circuits and equipment failures.
• Support Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and other industrial network systems.
• Drive project execution from installation through commissioning of controls and instrumentation.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for internal and external customers.
• Maintain project documentation and communicate technical findings effectively.
• Create user manuals for control systems and instrumentation and provide training for proper use.

Skills

PLC/HMI knowledge

Troubleshooting

Communication

Organization

Driver's license

Education

Associate degree in Electrical Tech/Automation/Mechatronics

Tools

ControlLogix/CompactLogix

FactoryTalk View

Job description

About DECCO Postharvest

DECCO, an ADVANTA company, is the global leader in providing postharvest solutions to reduce food waste and enhance the freshness of fresh fruits and vegetables all along the food supply chain. DECCO delivers value every day to packers, shippers, supermarkets and consumers with customized coating, decay control, sanitization and disinfection products, application technology, on‑site service and almost 90 years of postharvest expertise. Our 200+ dedicated DECCO employees operate in over 40 countries.

About DECCO Postharvest

DECCO, an ADVANTA company, is the global leader in providing postharvest solutions to reduce food waste and enhance the freshness of fresh fruits and vegetables all along the food supply chain. DECCO delivers value every day to packers, shippers, supermarkets and consumers with customized coating, decay control, sanitization and disinfection products, application technology, on‑site service and almost 90 years of postharvest expertise. Our 200+ dedicated DECCO employees operate in over 40 countries.

Our purpose

is to enable more and better Fresh Food for the world.

More. Beautiful. Fresh

Position Summary

The Instrumentation & Controls Technician is at the center of our digital transformation and continuous improvement with a focus on automation and control systems. The position requires collaboration with team members from various groups within the organization to drive performance and deliver results. Position requires time spent in office, workshop, and at customer locations to provide hands‑on involvement to ensure proper operation of control systems for Decco products and services.

KEY RESPONSINILITIES

• Controls & Automation: Design, configure, install, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and automated control systems. Lead testing, commissioning, and upgrades involving control systems. Diagnose and remedy issues with control panels, sensors, actuators, and various other devices.
• Instrumentation: Install, calibrate, and troubleshoot process instrumentation, including temperature, pressure, flow, level, pH, and conductivity devices. Maintain calibration records and verify instrument accuracy. Identify opportunities to improve return on investment through equipment acquisition and performance.
• Electrical & Communications: Install and maintain electrical wiring, control equipment, and industrial communication networks. Troubleshoot and repair electrical control circuits and equipment failures. Support Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and other industrial network systems.
• Projects & Customer Support: Drive project execution from installation through commissioning of controls and instrumentation. Provide technical support and troubleshooting for internal and external customers. Maintain project documentation and communicate technical findings effectively. Create user manuals for control systems and instrumentation and provide training for proper use.
• Continuous Improvement & Safety: Identify opportunities for process improvements and lead implementation. Follow all safety procedures and company standards and participate in training as required. Maintain an organized work environment.

Required Education, Skills, Abilities, And Experience

• Associate degree in Electrical Technology, Industrial Automation, Instrumentation, Mechatronics, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in industrial automation, controls, instrumentation, electrical maintenance, or related work.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, and industrial control systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and use diagnostic test equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, and organizational skills.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to customer locations, including overnight travel.
• Maintain required licenses and certifications.

Preferred Skills, Abilities, And Experience

• Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix and FactoryTalk View.
• Experience with VFDs, industrial networking, and process instrumentation.
• Background in manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, packaging, or industrial environments.
• OSHA, NFPA 70E, or related technical certifications.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Number of direct reports – 0
• Number of indirect reports – 0
• Budget responsibilities – Aligned with Business Unit

Travel:

Occasional overnight travel for special projects, support field activities, attend industry events and company meetings.

Reports To:

Industrial Technology Manager

Location:

Visalia, CA or nearby areas

Key Competencies

CUSTOMER FOCUS

Ability to building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions

CULTIVATES INNOVATION

- Thinks creatively and implements solutions for everyday problems; Strives to continually improve own processes and areas of business; Puts forward proposals and develops strategic implementation plans to introduce new and improved ways of operating.

RESOURCEFULNESS

Identifying, Securing & Deploying resources effectively & efficiently (People, funds, infrastructure) to accomplish business goals.