Systems Technician – Controls & Automation

Parcc Associates; Georgia; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Parcc Associates in the Augusta, GA area seeks a hands-on Systems Technician – Controls & Automation to support a high-volume manufacturing operation. You will work with automated production equipment, PLC-controlled systems, HMIs, sensors, drives, and instrumentation to diagnose issues and improve reliability.

The ideal candidate has 2–3 years of experience in a manufacturing setting, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to read electrical schematics and control drawings.

Qualifications

• Hands-on troubleshooting PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
• Strong knowledge of industrial control systems (PLCs, HMIs, drives).
• Ability to read electrical schematics and control drawings.
• Experience performing root-cause analysis and implementing corrective actions.
• Excellent teamwork with Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations.
• Comfort working on the production floor and at a computer diagnosing issues.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot automated manufacturing equipment and control systems.
• Diagnose failures in PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, and instrumentation.
• Use PLC software and diagnostics to identify issues.
• Read electrical schematics and wiring diagrams for troubleshooting.
• Investigate equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Maintenance and Engineering to improve reliability.
• Support modifications, upgrades, and commissioning of equipment.
• Document changes, troubleshooting steps, and repairs.
• Provide technical support to production during interruptions.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Industrial controls

HMI programming

SCADA systems

VFDs / drives

Sensors & instrumentation

Electrical schematics

Root cause analysis

Automation integration

Team communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree / technical training preferred

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

HMI programming

SCADA systems

Industrial Ethernet / networking

Modbus / Profibus

Servo systems

Robotics

VFDs & motor controls

Job description

A well-established global manufacturing organization in the Augusta, GA metro area is seeking a hands-on Systems Technician – Controls & Automation to support a high-volume manufacturing operation.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with automated production equipment, PLC-controlled systems, industrial controls, HMIs, sensors, drives, instrumentation, and plant technology.

The Systems Technician will work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and Production to troubleshoot equipment issues, improve system reliability, support automation projects, and minimize production downtime.

This is a hands-on technical role for someone who can diagnose complex problems, understand how multiple systems interact, and implement practical solutions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What You’ll Do

• Troubleshoot and support automated manufacturing equipment, control systems, and production technology.
• Diagnose failures involving:
• PLC-controlled equipment
• HMIs
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Variable frequency drives
• Motors and motor controls
• Automated production equipment
• Use PLC software and diagnostic tools to identify equipment and control-system issues.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and system documentation.
• Investigate equipment failures, perform root-cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, uptime, process performance, and overall manufacturing efficiency.
• Support equipment modifications, automation upgrades, system installations, and continuous-improvement projects.
• Assist with commissioning and troubleshooting new or modified production equipment.
• Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to prevent recurring failures.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance activities involving control systems and automation equipment.
• Maintain accurate documentation of system changes, troubleshooting activities, repairs, and equipment modifications.
• Work with vendors, contractors, and outside technical resources when specialized support is required.
• Assist with maintaining proper backups and documentation for PLC programs, HMIs, control systems, and related equipment.
• Support plant safety, quality, 5S, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical support to production teams during equipment or process interruptions.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required; technical school, associate degree, or additional technical training strongly preferred.
• At least 2–3 years of experience supporting controls, automation, maintenance, engineering, or technical systems within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
• Working knowledge of industrial control systems, including:
• PLCs
• HMIs
• VFDs/drives
• Sensors
• Motors
• Instrumentation
• Automated equipment
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and control drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving ability.
• Experience identifying root causes of equipment failures and implementing corrective actions.
• Strong computer and technical software skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Operations, and outside vendors.
• Comfortable working independently while also supporting a team-based manufacturing environment.

Preferred Experience

Experience with any of the following would be highly valuable:

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLCs
• HMI programming and troubleshooting
• SCADA systems
• Industrial Ethernet and networking
• Ethernet/IP
• DeviceNet
• Profibus
• Modbus
• Servo systems
• Robotics
• VFDs and motor controls
• Instrumentation and process controls
• Data acquisition and manufacturing monitoring systems
• Preventive or predictive maintenance technologies

Experience within plastic film extrusion, converting, packaging, nonwovens, chemicals, paper, food/beverage, automotive, or another continuous-process manufacturing environment is highly preferred.

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will be someone who is equally comfortable working at a computer diagnosing PLC or HMI issues and walking onto the production floor to troubleshoot the physical equipment.

This person should have a strong understanding of how electrical, controls, automation, and mechanical systems interact and be able to work through problems methodically until the root cause is identified.

A four-year engineering degree is not required if the candidate has strong hands‑on controls and automation experience.

Physical & Work Environment

This position operates within an active manufacturing environment and may require:

• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Bending, kneeling, climbing, and reaching
• Working around industrial machinery and automated equipment
• Occasional lifting of tools, equipment, or components
• Responding to equipment issues on the manufacturing floor

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a strong opportunity for a technically skilled Controls Technician, Automation Technician, Systems Technician, Engineering Technician, or Electrical/Controls Technician who wants to expand their responsibilities within a sophisticated manufacturing environment.

You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with automation, controls, engineering, production equipment, and continuous‑improvement initiatives, while playing a critical role in equipment reliability and plant performance.

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Environment: Onsite Manufacturing