PLC Technician, 1st Shift

Vans•Ontario, CA

2d•$25 - $31

About The Position

The PLC Technician is responsible for the controls health, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of automated material handling systems (MHE) and supporting control networks across a highly automated distribution center. This role ensures equipment availability, safe operations, rapid recovery from faults, and reduction of recurring downtime by owning controls diagnostics, supporting root cause analysis, and improving logic, HMI, and system performance. This role partners closely with Maintenance Technicians, Maintenance Leadership, Reliability/Asset Engineering, Operations, IT, and OEM vendors to maintain stable automation and improve overall throughput and uptime.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
5–7+ years experience supporting PLC-controlled automation in industrial, manufacturing, or distribution environments
Strong troubleshooting skills across electrical controls and automated equipment
Ability to interpret and work from: o Electrical schematics o I/O lists o Network layouts o OEM manuals
Familiarity with industrial controls components: o Sensors, relays, contactors, VFDs/servos (as applicable), safety devices
PLC platforms experience preferred (any of the following): o Rockwell/Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix / CompactLogix, Studio 5000) o Siemens (S7 / TIA Portal) o Beckhoff / Codesys (bonus depending on your automation stack)
Experience with industrial networking: o EtherNet/IP, Profinet, managed switches, VLAN concepts (with IT partnership)
HMI/SCADA exposure: o FactoryTalk View, WinCC, Ignition, Wonderware, or similar
Familiarity with automated MHE systems: o Conveyance and sortation, ASRS/shuttles, print & apply, scanners
Understanding of reliability concepts: o MTTR/MTBF, alarm pareto, downtime categorization
Calm under pressure; strong prioritization in system-down events
Excellent structured troubleshooting (hypothesis → isolate → verify → document)
Strong communication with both technical and non-technical partners
High ownership, attention to detail, and disciplined change control
Safety-first mindset (LOTO, energized work practices, risk awareness)
Ability to work nights/weekends/holidays as needed (shift-based role)
Ability to climb ladders, access mezzanines, and work around automated equipment
Ability to lift/carry typical tools and components within facility standards
Ability to work in noisy environments and around moving machinery following safety protocols
Ability to work in a 24/7, high availability environment with urgent response needs

Responsibilities

Serve as the controls escalation point for automation-related issues impacting throughput and availability.
Diagnose and resolve issues including: o PLC faults and program behavior anomalies o Sensor/actuator failures, I/O issues, device configuration o VFD/servo faults, safety circuit trips (as applicable) o Network communications faults (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, industrial networks)
Support rapid recovery during system-down events, including safe restart and verification of normal operations.
Provide clear communication and timeline updates to Operations and Maintenance leaders during incidents.
Perform routine checks and validation on: o PLC panels, remote I/O, safety devices, sensors o Network switches, cables, patching, industrial connectivity o HMI and SCADA connectivity where applicable
Establish and maintain controls PM standards, including backups, battery checks, error log reviews, and alarm/fault cleanup.
Make controlled changes to PLC logic, HMI screens, and alarm handling to improve stability and reduce repeat downtime.
Maintain version control and change management: o Program backups o Release notes o Rollback plans o Change approvals aligned to site standards
Tune sequences and control parameters to improve: o Flow stability o Jam recovery performance o Induction rates o Sortation accuracy and system efficiency
Partner on RCA for chronic faults and high-impact downtime.
Identify recurring failure modes and implement corrective actions: o Logic improvements o Device replacements or standards o Alarm rationalization o Training and procedures
Track actions to closure and validate effectiveness post-implementation.
Support interfaces between control systems and software platforms (as applicable): o WCS/WES, WMS, scanners, print & apply, dimensioners
Coordinate with OEMs and integrators for escalation, troubleshooting, and upgrades.
Support Operations during peak/volume events by monitoring controls stability and proactively addressing constraints.
Maintain updated controls documentation: o Network diagrams o Panel drawings / I/O maps o Standard operating procedures for restart/recovery o Alarm definitions and fault trees
Train Maintenance Techs/Leads on: o Fault recognition and first-response steps o Safe recovery procedures o Proper escalation criteria and documentation expectations