PLC Technician

Classic Salads•Salinas, CA

8d•$25 - $36•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a skilled PLC Technician to join our team. This role is responsible for writing, modifying, and testing ladder logic for new equipment and line changes, updating HMI screens, and ensuring program backups are maintained. The technician will also be responsible for setting up and tuning VFDs, sensors, and scales, as well as building and wiring control panels and field devices according to plant and food safety standards. This position requires responding to line-down calls, diagnosing and resolving electrical, mechanical, or logic issues, and completing scheduled inspections. Adherence to safety protocols such as lockout/tagout and NFPA 70E arc flash rules is mandatory. The technician will also train operators and maintenance staff on common faults and recovery steps.

Requirements

3+ years of hands-on PLC work in a manufacturing or processing plant
Programming experience in Allen-Bradley RSLogix 500 and Studio 5000
Able to read schematics and I/O drawings and wire control panels and field devices
NFPA 70E / arc flash training, or complete it within 60 days of hire
LOTO-qualified, or become qualified within 30 days of hire
High school diploma or GED
Available for overtime, weekends, callouts, and on-call rotation, especially during harvest season

Nice To Haves

Siemens TIA Portal, Ignition, or FactoryTalk View experience
VFD setup experience
Food, beverage, or fresh-cut processing experience
Technical degree or certificate in automation, electronics, or a related field
Bilingual English/Spanish

Responsibilities

Write, change, and test ladder logic in Allen-Bradley RSLogix 500 and Studio 5000 for new equipment and line changes.
Update HMI screens, alarms, and operator messages.
Load and start up program changes on running lines without causing unplanned downtime.
Keep a current, labeled backup (date, reason, name) of every PLC and HMI program, and fix any mismatch with the running program.
Set up and tune VFDs, sensors, and scales.
Read schematics and build, wire, and terminate control panels and field devices.
Run conduit and cable to plant and food safety standards, and check all wiring against the print before powering up.
Mark up prints when field wiring doesn't match the drawing and submit the change.
Install and test safety devices such as e-stops, light curtains, and safety relays.
Respond to line-down calls, find the cause (electrical, mechanical, or logic), and get the line running again.
Record the cause and fix in the maintenance system, and recommend permanent fixes for repeat problems.
Complete scheduled inspections of panels, drives, and sensors.
Always follow lockout/tagout, NFPA 70E arc flash rules, GMPs, SQF, and sanitation rules.
Train operators and maintenance staff on common faults and recovery steps.