PLC Controls Technician

IK Hofmann; Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

IK Hofmann in Chicago Heights, IL is seeking a PLC Controls Technician to support safe, reliable plant operations. You will troubleshoot, repair, maintain, and improve PLC-controlled production equipment and facilities systems.

Responsibilities include diagnosing failures, performing preventive maintenance, installing new equipment, and ensuring safety devices function properly. Candidates should have a high school diploma or GED and 3+ years in industrial maintenance, with Allen-Bradley PLC

Qualifications

• Industrial maintenance experience and 3+ years preferred.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and drawings.
• Readiness to follow safety and GMPs.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair PLC-controlled machinery and related controls.
• Diagnose electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance.
• Respond to emergency maintenance calls and prioritize repairs.
• Assist with installation, calibration, startup, and commissioning.
• Perform welding, cutting, soldering, pipe fitting, and related tasks.
• Test equipment and verify safety devices function.
• Maintain organized work area and proper PPE use.
• Follow OSHA and GMPs and food-safety requirements.
• Train colleagues on equipment operation and safe practices.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Electrical systems

Preventive maintenance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical/industrial electricity or automation training

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Electrical schematics

Job description

Schedule: Monday-Friday, first shift. Exact daily start and end times will be provided by the site. Overtime may be available or required based on production and maintenance needs.

PLC Controls Technician

Location: Chicago Heights, IL 60411

Responsibilities

The PLC Controls Technician supports safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations by troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, and improving production equipment and facility systems. This position responds to equipment failures, identifies root causes, restores equipment to service, and helps reduce downtime while protecting product quality.

• Diagnose and repair PLC-controlled machinery, electrical and electronic systems, motors, motor controls, variable-frequency drives, sensors, relays, control panels, instrumentation, and related automation components.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls-related failures using electrical prints, schematics, wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, work orders, and technical documentation.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on plant equipment, document completed work, and communicate equipment conditions and repair priorities to maintenance and operations leadership.
• Provide timely response to emergency and unscheduled maintenance calls, evaluate equipment conditions, and recommend corrective actions that reduce recurring failures.
• Assist with the installation, alignment, calibration, modification, startup, and commissioning of new or upgraded equipment.
• Perform welding, cutting, soldering, pipe fitting, boiler-related work, insulating, machining, carpentry, and other skilled maintenance activities when assigned.
• Inspect, test, and verify repaired equipment before returning it to production. Confirm that guards, interlocks, emergency stops, and other safety devices function as intended.
• Maintain an orderly work area and properly use, store, and care for tools, meters, test equipment, spare parts, and personal protective equipment.
• Follow OSHA requirements, facility safety rules, lockout/tagout procedures, Good Manufacturing Practices, food-safety and sanitation requirements, and all applicable maintenance procedures.
• Communicate professionally with employees at all levels and assist with training on equipment operation, safe work practices, and maintenance procedures.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical school, industrial electricity, automation, electronics, or a related program preferred.
• Three or more years of experience in an industrial or manufacturing maintenance environment.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment and industrial control systems. Allen-Bradley or comparable PLC experience is preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical circuits, motors, motor controls, variable-frequency drives, sensors, relays, pneumatics, hydraulics, mechanical power transmission, and facility equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, equipment manuals, and work orders to complete maintenance and service tasks.

Essential Job Functions

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position and move throughout the facility to inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain equipment.
• Must be able to position self to work at floor level, above shoulder height, and in confined or awkward workspaces while accessing machinery, control panels, and facility systems.
• Must be able to operate, activate, use, and manipulate hand tools, power tools, meters, controls, and maintenance equipment.
• Must be able to detect, identify, inspect, and assess equipment conditions, electrical readings, alarms, defects, and safety hazards.
• Must be able to ascend and descend stairs, ladders, and elevated work platforms as needed to perform inspections and repairs.
• Must be able to move, transport, position, install, and remove parts, tools, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to communicate instructions and maintenance information and exchange accurate information with employees, supervisors, production personnel, and other departments.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and celebrate our employees’ differences, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, Veteran status, or any other protected classes. Must be eligible to work in the United States for any company without sponsorship.