Senior Controls Technician (Herman)

Mars UK; Aurora (NE); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Mars Petcare is hiring a Senior Controls Technician for our Aurora, Nebraska plant. The role covers a wide range of control systems including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and IT infrastructure, ensuring safe and reliable operation.

The candidate will troubleshoot, modify control programs, and educate other technicians while supporting regional projects and plant KPIs. A strong multi-skilled background and collaboration with maintenance and operations are essential.

Qualifications

• 2-year technical degree or equivalent experience.
• 3-5 years Factory Controls & IT experience, including production system troubleshooting and problem resolution.
• Possess or can obtain an Operational Electrical Qualification Certificate (must be able to work independently on live electrical panels).
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering preferred for advancement.

Responsibilities

• Identify and implement changes to improve plant performance using control systems (PLC/HMI, servo logic).
• Troubleshoot machine breakdowns with PLCs, HMIs, and VFD/servo systems using electrical schematics and test equipment.
• Train and assist technicians in troubleshooting, repairing, and commissioning all electrical control devices.
• Act as a technical resource to operations and maintenance for controls-related issues and priorities.
• Lead and oversee IT/infrastructure projects and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Electrical troubleshooting

Training others

Project coordination

Education

2-year Technical Degree (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation)

Operational Electrical Qualification Certificate

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation)

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks PDM

Wonderware

SQL Server

Job description

Job Description:

Job: Senior Controls Tech

Shift: Days

Location: Mars Petcare – Aurora, Nebraska

Mars Petcare is looking to hire a Senior Controls Tech for our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Aurora, Nebraska! Being a Mars Associate is all about opportunity. The opportunity to do challenging, exciting work that shapes the world’s best-loved brands. To work with real purpose, supported by talented, friendly people from different backgrounds. Access the tools, training, and experience you need to impact our business, the planet positively, and, most importantly, your career. Being a Mars associate is more than a job. It’s the opportunity to start your day tomorrow.

The Senior Controls Technician is responsible for the efficient, safe, and reliable operating conditions of the site manufacturing control and electrical systems. The Senior Controls Technician must be multi-skilled to manage, maintain, and troubleshoot the site’s electrical power systems, instrumentation, motor controls, PLC, HMI, data systems, and factory control infrastructure (servers, PCs, and networks). Additionally, the Senior Controls Technician directs the modification and installation of control systems and facilitates the transfer of knowledge of control systems and electrical projects. The Senior Controls Technician is responsible for identifying, prioritizing, planning, and executing day-to-day activities with little or no supervision. Responsibilities could include the technical development of other Controls Technicians.

Responsibilities

• Identify and recommend changes to improve plant performance utilizing existing or new control systems. Make program modifications in PLC’s logic, HMI’s programs, and servo controller logic to improve equipment performance.
• Troubleshoot machine breakdowns and malfunctions utilizing a working knowledge of control system programs and tools required to troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, and VFD/servo systems, including electrical schematics, programming software, meters, and other electrical test equipment.
• Train and assist technicians in troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, and commissioning all electrical control devices, including AC drives, DC drives, Servo Controllers, contactors, motors, breakers, solenoids, power supplies, and indicator lights. All PLC/HMI hardware, including processors, discrete and analog I/O cards, power supplies, network adapters, I/O hardware, and operator interfaces,
• Act as a technical resource to operations and maintenance on controls-related issues. Assist operations and maintenance associates in meeting daily priorities, coverage, and special projects.
• Execute to KPIs related to Factory Controls & IT infrastructure, Services and Solutions to include Performance, Availability, and Functionality Metrics
• Prepare job aids, user documentation, systems documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials for plant automation systems.
• Owner of the Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure in assigned area
• Accountable for the Implementation of Factory Controls & IT Projects
• Supervise the work activities of outside contractors, controls technicians, and other associates with the installation of instrumentation, PLC-based control systems, and PC-based operator interfaces
• Interact with the Maintenance Department in order to solve/define Improvements
• Engage in Regional and Global Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure related Projects if necessary
• Oversee/Execute Engineering Projects by overseeing the design of control systems utilizing standardized design methodologies

Education & Professional Qualifications

Minimum:

• 2-year Technical Degree (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation) OR equivalent experience
• 3 - 5 years Factory Controls & IT experience, including production system troubleshooting and problem resolution
• Possess or can obtain an Operational Electrical Qualification Certificate (must be able to work independently on live electrical panels)

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation)
• 6 - 10 years of Factory Controls & IT experience

Knowledge / Experience

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Microsoft Excel
• Server Administration knowledge
• Virtual Infrastructure Administration knowledge
• Equipment Architecture knowledge
• Knowledge of databases such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and database connectivity using ODBC and Wonderware, Rockwell, Siemens, or equivalent automation software
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks PDM
• Good understanding of interfacing with PLCs, scales, display devices, and any other controls-related devices
• Understanding of networks

About Mars, Incorporated

Mars is a family-owned business with more than a century of history making diverse products and offering services for people and the pets people love. With almost $35 billion in sales, the company is a global business that produces some of the world’s best-loved brands: M&M’s®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, MILKY WAY®, DOVE®, PEDIGREE®, ROYAL CANIN®, WHISKAS®, EXTRA®, ORBIT®, 5™, SKITTLES®, UNCLE BEN’S®, MARS DRINKS and COCOAVIA®. Mars also provides veterinary health services that include BANFIELD® Pet Hospitals, Blue Pearl®, VCA® and Pet Partners™. Headquartered in McLean, VA, Mars operates in more than 80 countries. The Mars Five Principles – Quality, Responsibility, Mutuality, Efficiency and Freedom – inspire its more than 100,000 Associates to create value for all its partners and deliver growth they are proud of every day.