Maintenance Technician III (Controls Specialist)

Cornerstone Building Brands; Rocky Mount (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision benefits

PTO and holidays

401(k) and retirement benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Cornerstone Building Brands in Rocky Mount, VA, seeks a Sr. Maintenance Controls Specialist to lead automation, diagnostics, and modernization of our manufacturing equipment.

You will develop PLC/HMI programs, troubleshoot complex systems, and mentor maintenance technicians while coordinating with project teams on retrofit projects.

This role requires independent work, strong electrical and mechanical skills, and a focus on reliability to minimize downtime.

Qualifications

• Associate degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• 7–10 years of industrial maintenance, automation, or related manufacturing experience.
• Ability to independently troubleshoot, modify, and develop PLC programs.
• Ability to commission and support industrial automation systems.
• Advanced knowledge of industrial electrical systems and motor controls.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting: pneumatics, hydraulics, conveyors, bearings, drives, alignment.
• Work independently with minimal supervision on controls and mechanical issues.
• Experience with Rockwell/AB PLC families preferred.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair complex automation and control system failures.
• Read, interpret, troubleshoot, modify, document PLC programs across platforms.
• Develop PLC logic, HMI applications, recipes, and control strategies.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical control circuits, sensors, safety devices, drives, and networks.
• Commission and start up new or modified automation systems.
• Create, update, and maintain electrical schematics and panel layouts.
• Maintain backups of PLC and HMI programs.
• Mentor maintenance personnel on control systems.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC programming

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

Project leadership

Documentation

CMMS

Mentoring

Education

AS/AAS in related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley ControlLogix

Siemens PLC

Omron

Mitsubishi PLC

Modicon/GE PLC

Job description

Cornerstone Building Brands is a leading manufacturer of exterior building products for residential and low-rise non-residential buildings in North America. Headquartered in Cary, N.C., we serve residential and commercial customers across the new construction and Repair & Remodel (R&R) markets. Our market-leading portfolio of products spans vinyl windows, vinyl siding, stone veneer, metal roofing, metal wall systems and metal accessories. Cornerstone Building Brands’ broad, multi-channel distribution platform and expansive national footprint includes more than 18,800 team members at manufacturing, distribution and office locations throughout North America. Corporate stewardship and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) responsibility are embedded in our culture. We are committed to contributing positively to the communities where we live, work and play. For more information, visit us at cornerstonebuildingbrands.com.

Job Description

The Sr. Maintenance Controls Specialist is a senior-level electro-mechanical and industrial automation position responsible for the reliability, maintenance, troubleshooting, design, modernization, and implementation of manufacturing equipment control systems. This role serves as the facility's primary technical resource for automation, controls, and machine integration while also maintaining strong hands-on mechanical troubleshooting and repair capabilities.

The Sr. Maintenance Controls Specialist is responsible for supporting manufacturing operations through advanced diagnostics, PLC/HMI programming, electrical troubleshooting, machine reliability improvements, and controls modernization projects. This position is expected to independently evaluate aging and obsolete equipment, develop replacement control system specifications, create project scopes and budgets, implement control system upgrades, and commission new systems with minimal reliance on outside contractors.

The individual must possess strong electrical, automation, and mechanical skills and be capable of working independently on complete machine systems when additional technical resources are not available.

Controls & Automation

• Diagnose and repair complex automation and control system failures on manufacturing equipment.
• Read, interpret, troubleshoot, modify, document, and develop PLC programs across multiple platforms and generations of technology.
• Develop new PLC logic, HMI applications, recipes, and machine control strategies.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical control circuits, sensors, encoders, photo eyes, safety devices, VFDs, soft starters, servo systems, motion control systems, and industrial networks.
• Commission and start up new or modified automation systems.
• Create, maintain, and update electrical schematics, control drawings, panel layouts, and documentation.
• Maintain backups of PLC, HMI, drive, servo, and robot programs.
• Train maintenance and operations personnel on control systems.

Equipment Modernization & Capital Projects

• Evaluate obsolete control systems and develop long-term modernization strategies.
• Maintain a controls obsolescence roadmap and prioritize modernization efforts.
• Research and specify replacement PLCs, HMIs, drives, instrumentation, communication systems, and electrical hardware.
• Develop project scopes, bills of materials, cost estimates, and technical specifications.
• Lead controls retrofit and modernization projects from concept through startup.
• Design, install, configure, program, test, and commission replacement control systems with minimal outside contractor support.
• Manage contractors, vendors, and system integrators when utilized.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Reliability

• Diagnose and repair complex electro-mechanical problems.
• Perform setup, calibration, and adjustment of equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, and mechanical systems.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance.
• Perform root cause failure analysis and develop permanent corrective actions.
• Implement reliability improvements that reduce downtime.
• Enter completed work and documentation into the CMMS system.

Leadership & Technical Development

• Serve as the facility primary technical expert for automation and controls systems.
• Mentor and train maintenance technicians.
• Provide technical guidance during equipment failures, startups, and major maintenance events.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, Controls Technology, or related field preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Minimum 7–10 years of industrial maintenance, automation, controls, or related manufacturing experience.
• Demonstrated ability to independently troubleshoot, modify, and develop PLC programs.
• Demonstrated ability to commission and support industrial automation systems.
• Advanced knowledge of industrial electrical systems and motor controls.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills including pneumatics, hydraulics, conveyors, bearings, drives, and machine alignment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision on both controls and mechanical issues.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PLC-5, SLC-500, and MicroLogix preferred.
• Experience with Siemens, Omron, Mitsubishi, Modicon, GE, and legacy PLC platforms preferred.

Additional Information

Address: 433 N. Main St. Rocky Mount Virginia 24151

Why work for Cornerstone Building Brands?

Our teams are at the heart of our purpose to positively contribute to the communities where we live, work and play. Full-time* team members receive** medical, dental and vision benefits starting day 1. Other benefits include PTO, paid holidays, FSA, life insurance, LTD, STD, 401k, EAP, discount programs, tuition reimbursement, training, and professional development. You can also join one of our Employee Resource Groups which help support our commitment to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment.

*Full-time is defined as regularly working 30+ hours per week. **Union programs may vary depending on the collective bargaining agreement.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Cornerstone Building Brands is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, or status as a protected veteran. You can find the Equal Employment Opportunity Poster here. You can also view Your Right to Work Poster here along with This Organizations Participation in E-Verify Poster here. If you'd like to view a copy of the company's affirmative action plan for protected veterans or individuals with disabilities or policy statement, please contact Human Resources at 281-897-7788 or [e-mail]. If you have a disability and you believe that you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please contact Human Resources at 281-897-7788 or [e-mail]. This email is used exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only emails received for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018

Must be at least 18 years of age to apply.