PLC Technician (2Nd Shift)

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Downers Grove, IL we are a world-class contract manufacturer producing wholesome baked goods, snacks and packaged foods for many of the world's leading food companies. As one of the largest and fastest growing food co-manufacturing companies in the US, we are the proud owner and operator of over 35 facilities globally. Our nearly 10,000 employee-strong organization is leading the way and setting new standards for quality, safety, flexibility and efficiency while feeding families around the globe.

Hearthside's exceptional growth stems from its ability to address real-world problems for customers of all shapes and sizes, and by our resolute commitment to our belief that there are no great companies without great culture. Our culture of personal empowerment enables growth, learning, and continuous improvement every day!

We are steadfast in our ambition to be the indispensable and most trusted partner to our customers and need your help to do it! Join Hearthside and enjoy a competitive package, outstanding benefits and a diverse work environment.

The PLC Technician will be working at one of our larger bakeries located in North Sioux City, SD. The plant is 350k sq. ft. and operates 8 highly automated production lines. At this plant, we produce cookies for multiple customers; including the Girl Scouts, Kroger, Walmart and many others. This facility has two unions, the BCTGM and Teamsters. Nestled between the curves of the Missouri River and the banks of McCook Lake, North Sioux City is at the intersection of commerce, recreation, and small town living with big city attractions.

Scope:

PLC Technicians install and repair industrial electronic equipment including I/O networks, data highways, variable speed drives, process control equipment, and write PLC programs for a wide variety of automated control systems ranging from simple on-off control to robotics.

Core Hours: Monday-Friday 4pm-12:30am and weekends as needed.

Core responsibilities:

• Achieve and maintain a high level of technical competency.

• Support engineering projects by designing control systems utilizing standardized design methodologies including Sequential Function Charts and Data Flow Diagrams.

• Develop and design new computer applications by preparing system flowcharts, report and screen layouts, source documents, and detailed specifications.

• Prepare job aids, user documentation, systems documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials for plant automation systems.

• Direct the work activities of outside contractors, maintenance technicians, and other associates in the installation of instrumentation, PLC based control systems, and PC based operator interfaces.

• Provide project planning and estimate moderately complex jobs.

• Act as technical resource to operations/maintenance on controls related issues including troubleshooting, analysis and recommending practical corrective actions for control related problems.

• Identify opportunities and recommend changes to improve plant performance utilizing current control systems or by improving current systems

• Troubleshoot control system applications and make necessary modifications to get the systems up and running again.

• Troubleshoot, analyze, and recommend practical corrective actions for control related problems.

• Train and support non-technical users on the use of plant floor automation systems.

• Use and follow all engineering standards when implementing projects.

• Provide input into site engineering standards for programming and systems design.

• Gather data and analyze information requirements in preparation for the design of Level II, batch control, data gathering, web, and control systems.

• Perform programming, testing, and debugging for new systems as well as for the enhancement of existing systems.

• Modify and/or develop Wonderware applications to support engineering projects.

• Support the introduction to the plant of new control technologies such as device networks, modular I/O, PLC programming software, etc.

• Provide system management and administrative functions for PC and PLC networks, data historians, software version control and web based data display systems. This includes maintenance, enhancements, procedures development, and troubleshooting.

Requirements

Key Functional Skills/Knowledge:

• Demonstrated the ability to analyze, design, program, and test computer applications for control/information systems.

• 2 year PLC degree or 2 or more years of PLC experience is required. Additional education is a plus.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision and to take direction from multiple sources.

• Good understanding of Operating Systems environments including Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP, Windows Server, Active Directory and other Microsoft technologies.

• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.

• Ability to analyze system problems and correct them.

• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.

• Ability to work well with user departments to provide the operational support in the use of HMI terminals and software applications on Control Systems.

• Must be able to ascertain - through interaction with production and engineering staff representatives - the requirements for process control computer applications.

• Knowledge of CIM concepts and ability to work with Wonderware batch control, visualization on control software.

• Knowledge of databases such as Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and database connectivity using ODBC and Wonderware automation software.

• Knowledge of web application development including basic web design, web connectivity, and database access.

• Understanding of networks including Modbus plus, Ethernet, Device net, and/or Profibus.

• Responsible for ensuring that there is no extended slow or downtime, damage to major equipment and possible health/safety risks to the individual or others.

• Troubleshooting skills in Hydraulics, Pneumatics, low and high level voltage, logic circuits and in all aspects of mechanical equipment.

• Knowledge of GMPs and clean design methods.

Key Experiences:

• Ability to troubleshoot programs residing in the Rockwell Automation PLC Control Systems in the plant.

• Must have a good understanding of interfacing with PLC's, scales and display devices.

• Basic experience in selecting and installation process instrumentation.

• Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.

• Mission Critical Competencies:

• In-depth contact with users must be maintained to gather information processing on problems or requirements.

• Communication with other Technical department personnel is usually done daily to discuss equipment, programming, and problems.

• Typically, temperature and humidity controlled environment for computer equipment. Job may require troubleshooting systems in all plant areas.

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Hearthside is an Equal Opportunity Employer.