PLC Programmer

Gerdau North America; Jackson (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading steel manufacturer in Michigan seeks a skilled Controls Technician II. Responsibilities include analyzing job requests, maintaining complex control systems, and coordinating maintenance efforts. The ideal candidate will possess a strong electrical background with at least 5 years in an industrial setting, alongside a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant training. This position offers opportunities for meaningful work within a supportive team environment, focusing on safety and sustainability.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment.
• Strong machine electrical background required.
• 2-3 years working as a Controls Technician I.

Responsibilities

• Install, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair complex control systems.
• Analyze job requests for priority and material requirements.
• Coordinate with other departments on projects.

Skills

Control systems expertise

Electrical wiring knowledge

Troubleshooting skills

Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs)

Strong communication skills

Education

High school diploma or GED

Verifiable maintenance technical training

Tools

Digital volt meters

Auto-CAD

Job description

Overview

At Gerdau, we empower our people to grow, thrive, and make a difference—together. With a culture built on trust and teamwork, we offer meaningful work, continuous development, and opportunities to shape your future. We invite you to come work with us, where your contributions are valued, your voice is heard, and your career is forged with purpose.

Basic Function

The Controls Technician II analyzes job requests received from various departments for priority, material requirements and scope of project.

Dimensions

Maintenance

Nature And Scope

Primary responsibilities include: plan, coordinate, and perform all operations required to install, troubleshoot, maintain, repair, modify, construct, calibrate, test, service and program complex control systems in support of steel production and related plant operations. Work involves a thorough knowledge of programmable logic controllers, industrial control devices, electrical wiring, and principles of operation and application of equipment.

This job reports directly to the Routine Facilitator and indirectly to the Regional Director of Maintenance & Engineering.

This job requires a minimum 5 years experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment, with a strong machine electrical background and a completed Training Checklist for this job. In addition, this job requires 2 - 3 years working as a Controls Technician I. This incumbent should possess computer literacy.

Principal Accountabilities

• 1.Analyze job requests received from various departments for priority, material requirements and scope of project.
• Installation, modification, monitoring, troubleshooting and repair of highly automated industrial control equipment.
• Design, plan, install and maintain a variety of industrial control equipment and instrumentation including: loop controls, variable frequency drives, control panels, load balancing, and complex electrical circuits.
• Work with related diagnostic equipment tooling including: digital volt meters, data recorders, oscilloscopes, megohmmeters, and other tools and equipment.
• Have a strong understanding of various operating systems and software utilized within programmable logic control systems and human machine interfaces with the ability to make online/offline changes.
• Verifies and adjusts plant instrumentation; routinely checks responsible area control systems; leads and/or assists with program and control upgrades.
• Work with other departments on projects, i.e., new equipment installations and overhauling or upgrading existing equipment to ensure maximum safe operating conditions.
• Work closely with electricians to ensure timely and uniform equipment installations and upgrades.
• Work closely with production and maintenance personnel in planning and coordinating the systematic maintenance of controls and instrumentation.
• Work closely with plant engineering, vendors, service technicians and field engineers to remain current on the latest control equipment and techniques.
• Have a thorough knowledge and understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, fluidic, and electrical systems and components and how they operate.
• Maintain networks, computers and peripherals associated with plant industrial control systems.
• Able to understand electrical drawings and schematics with the ability to maintain and update (Auto-CAD experience preferable).
• Respond to emergency calls involving equipment breakdowns that affect production and/or quality of end product.
• Responsible to use CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) to create purchase orders and develop/administer PM and work order procedures.
• Conceive and implement long term solutions to repeating/reacquiring problems.
• Assist in the development, instruction, training and monitoring of production and maintenance employees.
• All other tasks assigned by management.
• Responsible for departmental housekeeping.
• Responsible for following all safety policies including the Cardinal Safety Rules.
• Attend monthly safety and crew meetings.
• Responsible for utilizing the Gerdau Business Systems and EMM concepts.
• Responsible for and completing all required annual safety and environmental training.
• Tasks which have significant environmental impacts are (i.e. Process pond water, spill prevention, containment and response, RCRA waste, KO61 Dust (bag house dust) PM’s, and calibration of equipment.
• Employee is expected to know, understand, and follow all applicable Federal, State, and Local environmental legal requirements and practices.
• Enforce environmental compliance to procedures, practices, and regulations within the department.
• Ensure environmental compliance with all applicable Federal, State and Local regulations within the department.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Verifiable maintenance technical training.

The incumbent is responsible for his/her safety as well as his/her colleagues, seeking continuous improvement related to employee’s health and safety, environment and the process efficiency and customer’s satisfaction with the quality of products and services. All efforts must be directed for preventive actions.

Gerdau believes in equal employment opportunity related to all employees and applicants for employment. It is the policy of Gerdau that there will be no discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. All external applicants must be legally eligible to immediately work in the country of hire without current or future sponsorship.

If you are vision-impaired or have some other disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act / Accessible Canada Act or a similar law, and you wish to discuss potential accommodations related to applying for employment at Gerdau, please contact our Talent Acquisition Team at (866)-788-2798 or [e-mail]