Mechanical Electrical Controls Technician - 1st Shift

MSI Express•Portage, IN

About The Position

The Mechanical Electrical Controls Technician maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes electrical control systems and automation equipment at a food manufacturing site. The role supports reliable and safe operations, production efficiency, product quality, and compliance with HACCP, GMP, SQF, FDA, and USDA requirements. It also includes mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and supporting production and utility systems to reduce downtime and extend equipment life. The technician works with maintenance, engineering, and production teams to resolve technical issues, support equipment installations and upgrades, contribute to continuous improvement, and maintain audit-ready records. The work must follow company safety requirements, including PPE, Lockout/Tagout, NFPA 70E, OSHA standards, sanitation procedures, and food-safety practices.

Requirements

Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in controls or automation in a food manufacturing or industrial environment.
Experience with Allen-Bradley controls and knowledge of additional platforms such as Siemens and Omron, as required.
Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, and food-safety requirements in a regulated production setting.
Experience troubleshooting and maintaining control systems in high-speed manufacturing.
Strong understanding of industrial control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, electronics, instrumentation, and sensors.
Knowledge of mechanical systems such as pumps, gearboxes, and conveyors.
Knowledge of electrical codes, safety standards, and food-manufacturing regulations.
Familiarity with automation system integration, process-control strategies, and documentation requirements for regulated environments.
Proficiency troubleshooting and programming PLCs and HMIs.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control diagrams.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, curiosity, and effective communication and collaboration skills.
Ability to work independently, manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines, and respond effectively to equipment failures and control-system issues.
Ability to follow and promote a safety-first and food-safe culture and support continuous improvement initiatives.
Ability to work in a physically demanding environment, including standing, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Technical certifications in PLC programming, industrial controls, or electrical systems.
Experience maintaining and troubleshooting mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

Maintain and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, servos, sensors, motor controls, VFDs, control wiring, and other I/O systems.
Make basic PLC and HMI edits and modify control logic and programming to restore or improve system performance.
Tune and optimize machine vision and barcode systems during changeovers, ensuring reliable detection, verification, and scanning.
Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and corrective repairs on mechanical, electrical, and control systems, including mechanical inspections, lubrication, and adjustments.
Respond to control-system alarms, equipment failures, and downtime events; support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
When prioritized and directed by a manager, diagnose and repair mechanical components such as bearings, gearboxes, conveyors, and pumps.
Clean up, organize, and improve machine wiring; redline and update electrical schematics.
Maintain organized backups of PLC, HMI, servo, and vision programs, as well as accurate records of system changes, diagrams, and programming updates.
Assist with installation, integration, and commissioning of new equipment and control panels under Engineering guidance.
Collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and production teams on technical issues, capital projects, installations, and system upgrades.
Ensure work complies with food-safety and sanitation protocols and applicable safety, electrical, and regulatory requirements.
Support audit preparation and provide documentation for regulatory and customer inspections.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and recommend control-system enhancements.
Follow company policies and general manufacturing and safety practices; perform other duties as assigned by management.
Follow and promote safety procedures, use required PPE, adhere to Lockout/Tagout, report hazards and near misses, and support machine guarding and sanitation practices.