Maintenance PLC Technician

Vallourec North America • Houston, TX

25d

About The Position

The Maintenance PLC Technician supports maintenance and production operations by designing, programming, documenting, testing, installing, troubleshooting, and providing ongoing technical support for PLC-based control systems. The role includes developing and adapting PLC code to department standards and new applications, configuring HMIs, and debugging and testing control systems, including at customer sites. The technician must be able to design or draw schematics, interpret electrical and ladder logic drawings, and troubleshoot control systems during startup and debugging.

The position requires strong knowledge of electrical controls, instrumentation, analog-to-digital conversion, safety circuits, and automated control systems. It involves working with PLCs, HMIs, variable-frequency drives, industrial networks, and electrical test equipment. The technician collaborates with electricians, staff, production, customers, and other team members, communicates programming changes, follows design and work processes, and helps ensure equipment complies with OSHA and applicable electrical codes and standards.

The role requires 10 years of maintenance experience and three to five years of PLC programming experience in heavy manufacturing. Candidates must be available for 12-hour day and night shifts, weekends, callouts, and overtime. Thermal equipment, furnace, oven, and boiler experience, as well as knowledge of NFPA-86, NFPA-70, NFPA-70E, and NFPA-79, are also identified.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 10 years of maintenance experience.
• Three to five years of experience working directly as a PLC programmer in a heavy manufacturing operation.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively, including communicating with customers.
• Experience with E-stops and safety circuits.
• Familiarity with NFPA 70 and NFPA 70E.
• Ability to understand electricity, instrumentation, and analog-to-digital conversion.
• Experience in automated control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, and variable-frequency drives.
• Proficiency with ladder logic and Rockwell PC applications, including RS Linx, RS Networx, and RS Logix 5, 500, and 5000.
• Familiarity with Allen Bradley Panel Builder 32 and RS View HMI development applications.
• Experience with variable-frequency drives, specifically Allen-Bradley drives.
• Proficiency with PLC networking configurations for Ethernet, DeviceNet, Wonderware, Profibus, DH+, and DF1.
• Ability to follow design and work processes.
• Ability to read and understand standard electrical and ladder logic schematics and troubleshoot control systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel and familiarity with AutoCAD.
• Experience making programming and ladder logic changes using software for Siemens Step 7, RS View, WinCC, Direct Logic, and Allen Bradley RS Logix 5000.
• Strong electrical controls knowledge and understanding.
• Ability to use test equipment, including a multimeter, proximity tester, amp probe, phase finder, and megger.
• Availability to work 12-hour day and night shifts, weekends, callouts, and overtime.
• Ability to pass pre-employment background, drug, and work screening.

Nice To Haves

• Thermal equipment experience, including furnaces and ovens.
• Boiler experience.
• Knowledge of NFPA-86 and NFPA-79.

Responsibilities

• Design or draw schematics showing how electrical components and panels work together to accomplish a process.
• Write, document, test, install, and troubleshoot control system programs.
• Provide ongoing technical support to company users as needed.
• Design and program PLCs, HMIs, and variable-frequency drives.
• Develop PLC code based on department standards and adapt standard code to new applications.
• Document PLC code and develop HMI configurations.
• Debug and troubleshoot PLC-based control systems, including at customer sites.
• Perform control system testing and troubleshoot systems during startup and debugging.
• Communicate programming modifications to electricians, staff, and production.
• Use electrical test equipment to test components, voltage, current, motor rotation, and insulation.
• Follow design and work processes and help ensure equipment complies with OSHA and applicable electrical codes and standards.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Company-paid life insurance and short- and long-term disability.
• Profit sharing up to 4%.
• 401(k) with a 4.5% company match and no vesting period.
• Paid parental leave for birthing and non-birthing parents, including adoptions.
• 10 paid holidays plus one personal floating holiday.
• Paid vacation time.
• Performance-based bonus program.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Collaborative culture and career mobility within a stable, essential industry.
• Continuous training and shared accountability for workplace safety.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED