Junior Controls/PLC Technician

Job: Junior Controls/PLC Technician

Location: Mars Petcare (Temple, Texas)

Shift: Day based: Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm; on call support 24/7

Mars Petcare is seeking a PLC Technician to join our exciting pet food business at a manufacturing plant in Temple, Texas. We focus our attention on the unique needs of cats and dogs. That obsession with detail allows us to deliver precise, effective nutrition and help them become their magnificent best.

As part of our overall total compensation package, Mars Petcare offers a competitive benefits package to all associates: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance, Short- & Long-Term Disability, and 401k match. Associates are also immediately eligible (based on hire date) for up to three weeks of vacation, 11 Paid Holidays per year, Sick Pay, Maternity & Parental Leave, and annual bonus earning potential, plus many other ancillary benefits not listed here.

The PLC Technician is responsible for the efficient, safe, and reliable site manufacturing control and electrical systems operating conditions. 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 PLC Technician directs the modification and installation of control systems and facilitates the transfer of knowledge of control systems and electrical projects. The PLC Technician is responsible for identifying, prioritizing, planning, and executing day-to-day activities without supervision.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for maintaining and troubleshooting electrical and control systems equipment down to the component level, including 480V electrical power distribution, instrumentation, motor controls, VFDs, servos, I/O devices/modules, PLCs, HMIs, and control networks.
• 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 calibrating all electrical sensing devices and instrumentation, including photoelectric, inductive, capacitive, pressure, temperature, weight, position sensors, flow, and analytical instruments.
• Train and assist technicians in troubleshooting, repairing, replacing, and commissioning all electrical control devices, including AC drives, DC drives, Servo Controllers, contactors, motors, breakers, solenoid power supplies, and indicator lights. All PLC/HMI hardware, including processors, discrete and analog I/O cards, power supplies, network adapters, I/O hardware, operator interfaces such as PanelView, PC-based interfaces, and message displays.
• Manage and troubleshoot control system applications, including PLC programs, HMI applications, SCADA applications, data collection systems, and MES systems.
• 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 enhance equipment performance.
• Manage and support factory control infrastructure, including PCs, servers, control networks, and network switches, including implementing patches and other vendor updates.
• Coordinate the electrical preventative maintenance program by identifying items that need regular inspection and replacement, scheduling the tasks and task frequencies required, and following up to ensure the completion and effectiveness of each task.
• Manage all PLC, Servo and HMI programs, changes, and electrical documentation. Ensure they are all accurate, updated, available to the technicians, and archived regularly.
• Act as a technical resource to operations and maintenance on controls-related issues. Assisted operations and maintenance associates in meeting daily priorities, coverage, and special projects.
• Provide support during machine installations and upgrades, including interfacing auxiliary equipment, identifying and correcting errors in programming and wiring, and ensuring vendors and contractors meet our needs and expectations.
• Support the introduction of new control technologies to the plant.
• Direct the work activities of outside contractors, maintenance technicians, and other associates in installing instrumentation, PLC-based control systems, and PC-based operator interfaces.
• Train and support non-technical users on using plant floor automation systems.
• Lead the implementation of small-scope projects in assigned areas.
• Make improvements as required to electrical PMs on various manufacturing and packaging equipment, electrical panels, and document activities using a computerized maintenance management system (SAP Plant Maintenance).
• Observe all OSHA and company safety rules and always use the proper safety equipment.
• Notify the supervisor of potentially dangerous electrical hazards and take immediate corrective action. Demonstrate basic National Electrical Code understanding.
• Effectively communicate with peers, supervisors, and upper management daily, and be willing to provide support where needed and complete other duties as assigned by the Team Leader.
• Maintains a clean and orderly work area.

Key Functional Skills/Knowledge

• Must thoroughly understand manufacturing facility electrical and machine control systems and their applications.
• Working knowledge of troubleshooting, testing, and repairing electrical power equipment, motor
• controls (including VFDs and servos), and instrumentation.
• Working knowledge of RS Logix 5, RS Logix 500, RS Logix 5000, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk View Studio ME, and the Panel builder.
• Good understanding of control system server, PC, and networking hardware, including Microsoft
• Windows operating systems.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Understanding of networks including Ethernet, Ethernet/IP, Device Net, and ControlNet.
• Maintain working knowledge of NEC, NFPA, and OSHA requirements related to machine and electrical safety.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and to take direction from multiple sources.
• Ability to analyze system problems and correct them.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for working with operations and maintenance team members.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in maintaining and troubleshooting automation and control systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge and experience in maintaining and troubleshooting electrical systems, including single and 3-phase controls and distribution systems 480 VAC and below.
• Knowledge and experience in maintaining and troubleshooting PLC and HMI systems and applications.
• Experience in calibrating and troubleshooting instrumentation and controllers.
• Ability to read wiring diagrams and schematics for troubleshooting.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLC platforms, including ControlLogix, SLC-500, and PLC-5.
• Experience with RS View and Rockwell FT View HMI software applications.
• Experience with Rockwell communication software packages (RSLinx) and control networks
• (Ethernet/IP, ControlNet, and Device Net).
• Experience with Rockwell VFD’s and Servo Drives.
• Knowledge of Microsoft operating systems, virtual machine environments, servers, and network administration.

Desired Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required

About Mars, Incorporated 

Mars is a family-owned business with over 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.

Mars is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process because of a disability, it is available upon request. The company is pleased to provide such assistance, and no applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.