Controls Technician (Nights)

West Pharmaceutical Services•Walker, MI

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The Controls Technician is responsible for supporting and maintaining the controls infrastructure of automated manufacturing and assembly equipment. This role focuses on troubleshooting and resolving controls-related issues on the manufacturing floor, including PLC systems, servo motors and drives, sensors, networks, vision systems, and electrical control panels. The Controls Technician works closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality teams to minimize downtime, improve equipment reliability, and ensure all control systems meet safety, regulatory, and operational standards.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent required.
Minimum 2–4 years of experience in controls, automation, or industrial electrical systems in a manufacturing environment.
Working knowledge of PLC platforms (Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix preferred).
Experience with Servo systems and motion control
Experience with Industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, etc.)
Experience with Machine vision systems
Experience with HMI troubleshooting
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and ladder logic.
Strong root cause analysis and troubleshooting skills.
Must be able to perform job duties as required with limited physical demands.

Nice To Haves

2-year technical degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or related field preferred.
Experience supporting automated assembly lines preferred.
Familiarity with medical device or pharmaceutical manufacturing environments preferred.
Knowledge of FDA Quality System Regulation, cGMP, and ISO standards.

Responsibilities

Log into PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent) to diagnose faults, analyze alarms, and identify root causes of equipment failures.
Troubleshoot and resolve servo motor and servo drive issues, including replacement, alignment, tuning, and verification of proper operation.
Train, configure, and calibrate sensors (photoelectric, proximity, pressure, vision triggers, interlocks, etc.).
Diagnose and resolve machine network communication issues (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet, ProfiNet, or equivalent).
Support and troubleshoot machine vision systems, including camera alignment, lighting adjustments, and inspection validation.
Assist production during shift operations with controls-related downtime events.
Inspect electrical control panels to ensure compliance with company and industry standards.
Verify proper wire labeling, terminal tightness, and organized panel layout.
Identify and correct loose terminals, damaged wiring, or non-compliant installations.
Support electrical safety compliance and ensure adherence to applicable codes and standards.
Own and execute controls-related projects assigned by management.
Support implementation of controls upgrades, system improvements, and equipment modifications.
Assist Engineering with commissioning of new equipment and validation of controls functionality.
Recommend improvements to enhance machine uptime, reliability, and performance.
Participate in root cause analysis and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities related to controls failures.
Maintain accurate documentation of troubleshooting activities, repairs, and configuration changes.
Update electrical schematics, network diagrams, and controls documentation as required.
Communicate downtime causes and corrective actions clearly to shift leaders and management.
Interface daily with Production, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to ensure alignment on equipment status.
Ensure all work complies with safety standards, electrical codes, and company policies.
Support compliance with FDA Quality System Regulation, cGMP, ISO, and other applicable standards.
Follow change control procedures when modifying control systems.
Maintain clean and organized work areas in accordance with 5S principles.
Exhibits regular, reliable, punctual, and predictable attendance.
Conforms with and abides by all regulations, policies, work procedures, and safety rules.
Performs other duties as assigned based on business needs.