Automation and Controls Technician

HEARTLAND FARMS INC•Hancock, WI

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Automation and Controls Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing automated, computer-controlled machinery and control systems within a high-volume industrial agricultural shipping plant. This role involves monitoring and maintaining PLCs, electrical and mechanical equipment, sensors, conveyors, and other automated systems to ensure reliable and efficient production. The position requires strong electrical, mechanical, and troubleshooting skills, along with the ability to diagnose equipment issues, perform preventive maintenance, and minimize downtime in a fast-paced industrial environment. This role ensures potatoes are accurately graded and sorted through the machine according to established quality standards while maximizing product yield and minimizing waste. This position is also responsible for cleaning and sanitizing optical sorting equipment in accordance with Food Safety and Sanitation standards to ensure safe, efficient production.

Requirements

No prior experience with our automated equipment is required! Employer-provided training will be provided to teach you how to safely operate our automated, computer-controlled machinery.
Candidates should have regular experience using computers and be able to learn and operate computer-controlled equipment.
Candidates should have a strong mechanical aptitude and be comfortable performing light maintenance, troubleshooting, and working with tools and equipment.
High school diploma or equivalent required.
One to three years of hands-on experience maintaining, calibrating, and troubleshooting high-speed industrial machinery, preferably in a food processing or manufacturing environment.
Familiarity with industrial automation components, including sensors, control boards, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
Must be organized, detail-oriented, and able to work independently while effectively collaborating with others in a fast-paced production environment.
Ability to visually identify differences in color, size, and condition of potatoes on a moving conveyor line.
Demonstrates strong multitasking abilities, attention to detail, analytical problem-solving skills, and a goal-driven mindset to effectively manage priorities, optimize processes, and achieve production objectives.
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout the shift.
Frequently lift, push, pull, and carry up to 10 pounds, and occasionally lift, push, pull, and carry 25 to 50 pounds.
Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, climb stairs, and reach as required.
Ability to work in a refrigerated or variable-temperature production environment.
Requires the ability to effectively communicate in English, both verbally and in writing, and to clearly understand and respond to verbal and written communications from others in person and by telephone.
Valid Driver’s License and the ability to travel locally.

Nice To Haves

Previous Mechanical experience is preferred, but we are willing to train the right person who is mechanically inclined, eager to learn, and willing to develop the skills necessary for the position.
Associate or Technical degree preferred.
Experience in agricultural operations or food processing, with familiarity in potato sorting and grading, is preferred.
Proficient in operating and navigating equipment user interfaces to access systems, adjust product classifications, and calibrate optical sorting parameters.

Responsibilities

Responsible for operating, monitoring, adjusting, and maintaining automated systems and computer-controlled optical sorting equipment to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
Diagnose and troubleshoot pneumatic air systems, sorting belts, and related mechanical components to maintain efficient equipment operation and minimize downtime.
Analyze product data to establish machine performance standards for different potato varieties and operate optical sorting equipment to accurately grade and sort potatoes according to customer specifications and company quality standards.
Monitor optical sorter performance throughout production by routinely inspecting sorted product and adjusting machine parameters as needed to optimize product quality, maximize recovery, and minimize waste.
Perform timely cleaning, sanitizing, and maintenance of optical sorting equipment and surrounding work areas multiple times per shift to ensure compliance with Food Safety, GMP, and company sanitation standards.
Collaborate with Quality Assurance and Production teams to ensure grading standards are consistently met.
Perform routine inspections and basic preventive maintenance on optical sorting equipment, identifying mechanical or operational issues and promptly communicating maintenance needs to minimize downtime.
Complete production logs, machine performance records, and sanitation documentation accurately.
Follow all company safety policies and procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) requirements when applicable.
Assist with startup, shutdown, product changeovers, and other production activities as needed.
Maintain and calibrate sensors, optical sorters, and control boards.
Monitor variable frequency drives (VFDs), belts, and bearings.
Diagnose ladder logic or control code (predominantly Odenberg and HAT automation systems) to resolve line stoppages.
Perform routine inspections and basic preventive maintenance on optical sorting equipment, identifying mechanical or operational issues and promptly communicating maintenance needs to minimize downtime.
Perform system backups and update machine documentation.
Ensure all troubleshooting and mechanical repairs comply with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), USDA, and OSHA guidelines.