Lead Instrumentation & Controls Technician

PDS Tech Commercial; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 57,000 - 81,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401K plan

Short-term disability

Commuter benefits

Job summary

PDS Tech Commercial seeks a senior Instrumentation & Controls professional for an on-site role in Aurora, IL. You will maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize highly automated production systems, serving as the automation expert for operations, engineering, and maintenance teams.

You’ll mentor junior technicians, lead preventive maintenance, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring safety, GMP compliance, and accurate CMMS records.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of instrumentation and controls experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Extensive hands-on experience with PLCs, production line controls, and automation systems.
• Proficient in VFDs, servo drives, and motion control systems.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting, schematics/ladder logic interpretation, and documentation skills.
• Experience with CMMS platforms (SAP or similar).
• Knowledge of Lockout/Tagout and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair electrical, controls, automation, and instrumentation issues on production equipment.
• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled systems and production line automation equipment.
• Lead instrumentation and controls preventive maintenance programs.
• Install, configure, and commission controls equipment for upgrades and retrofit projects.
• Support reliability initiatives to increase uptime and efficiency.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations on improvements and capital projects.
• Train and mentor technicians in instrumentation and controls.
• Maintain CMMS records and perform root cause analysis for failures.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Automation systems

Electrical troubleshooting

Instrumentation knowledge

Schematic interpretation

Lockout/Tagout

CMMS (SAP)

Mentoring/Training

VFDs

Servo drives

Industrial networking

Three-phase power

Root cause analysis

Electrical test equipment

Education

Associate Degree in Electronics or Electrical Engineering Technology

Tools

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley controls

EtherNet/IP

DeviceNet

Job description

Lead Instrumentation & Controls Maintenance Technician

Drive Automation Excellence | Mentor the Next Generation | Make a Real Impact

PDS Tech Commercial is seeking a senior-level Instrumentation & Controls professional to support a leading global nutrition and lifestyle products manufacturer in Aurora, IL.

Key Opportunity Highlights

• Location: Aurora, IL | 100% Onsite

• Schedule: Monday-Friday | 1st Shift

• Pay: Up to $50.00/hour (flexibility based on skills and experience)

Shape the Future of Manufacturing Automation

Are you the go-to expert when production lines go down? Do you thrive on solving complex automation challenges and mentoring others to elevate their technical skills?

We're seeking a highly experienced Maintenance Technician - Instrumentation & Controls to serve as a critical technical leader within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is more than a maintenance role. You'll be the automation expert that operations, engineering, and maintenance teams depend on to keep highly automated production systems running at peak performance.

If you have deep expertise in PLCs, controls, networking, VFDs, servos, and industrial automation troubleshooting, and enjoy developing junior technicians, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.

What You'll Do

As the site's Instrumentation & Controls specialist, you'll be responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, optimizing, and improving automated production systems and utility equipment.

Key Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair electrical, controls, automation, and instrumentation issues on production equipment

• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled systems and production line automation equipment

• Lead instrumentation and controls preventive maintenance programs

• Install, configure, and commission controls equipment for upgrades and retrofit projects

• Support maintenance and reliability initiatives that increase uptime and production efficiency

• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams on equipment improvements and capital projects

• Troubleshoot and support VFDs, servo systems, MCCs, process instrumentation, and industrial networks

• Work directly with OEMs and technical vendors to resolve complex equipment issues

• Maintain accurate documentation and CMMS records, including PM completion and repair activities

• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to prevent recurring failures

• Support process improvement and reliability initiatives

• Ensure compliance with safety standards, GMP requirements, and plant procedures

• Lead electrical and controls troubleshooting training for fellow maintenance technicians

• Act as a mentor and technical resource for developing Instrumentation & Controls talent

• Own equipment reliability within assigned areas and champion continuous improvement

Required Qualifications

Must-Have Experience

• 10+ years of Instrumentation & Controls experience in an industrial manufacturing environment

• Extensive hands-on experience with:

• PLC systems and PLC troubleshooting

• Production line controls and automation systems

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

• Servo drives and motion control systems

• Industrial networking and control communication systems

• Electrical troubleshooting and diagnostics

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic, and technical documentation

• Experience with industrial power distribution and three-phase electrical systems

• Strong understanding of process instrumentation including:

• Level controls

• Flow measurement

• Temperature systems

• Proven troubleshooting and root cause analysis experience

• Experience using electrical test equipment including voltmeters, ammeters, ohm meters, and meggers

• Strong knowledge of Lockout/Tagout procedures and industrial safety standards

• Experience using CMMS platforms such as SAP or similar systems

• Ability to train, coach, and mentor technicians

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Electronics, Electrical Engineering Technology, or related discipline

• Rockwell / Allen-Bradley controls experience

• Experience with EtherNet/IP and DeviceNet communications

• Knowledge of NEC standards

• Familiarity with UL508A and NFPA 79

• Food, beverage, pharmaceutical, packaging, or consumer products manufacturing experience

• Knowledge of pneumatics and mechanical systems

Why Join Us?

Make an Impact

You’ll be the technical expert relied upon by engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to solve challenging automation issues and improve plant performance.

Lead Without the Management Title

This role offers significant technical leadership opportunities, including mentoring and developing fellow maintenance professionals.

Work with Advanced Technology

Gain exposure to complex automated manufacturing systems, industrial controls, networked equipment, and process automation technologies.

Competitive Compensation

• Up to $50/hour

• Compensation flexibility for exceptional experience and expertise

• Stable Monday-Friday first-shift schedule

• Opportunity to influence site reliability and modernization initiatives

Collaborative Culture

Join a team that values technical expertise, continuous improvement, safety, innovation, and professional growth.

Ready to Lead the Controls Function?

If you're an experienced Instrumentation & Controls professional who enjoys solving complex automation challenges, improving equipment reliability, and helping others grow their technical capabilities, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay Details: $50.00 per hour

Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.pdstech.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act

• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance

• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers

• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.