Electrical PLC Technician

Location: Downers Grove, Illinois

Pay Rate: $40-$43/hour

Shift: 2nd Shift (Generally starts as early as 2:45 PM until finish. Overtime and weekend work as needed. Start times and hours may vary based on production schedules, holidays, and staffing needs.)

Requirement: Strong attendance and punctuality are essential. Employees must remain in position for a minimum of one year and successfully complete a 90-day evaluation period.

HOW YOU WILL MAKE HISTORY HERE…

As an Electrical PLC Technician, you will play a critical role in ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of plant production and utility systems. You will leverage your expertise in electrical systems, PLC programming, instrumentation, and industrial automation to troubleshoot issues, drive continuous improvement, and support world-class manufacturing performance. Your contributions will directly impact equipment reliability, operational uptime, safety, and productivity across the facility.

WHAT YOU WILL DO…

• Adhere to all company safety programs, policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot, repair, install, maintain, and modify low- and high-voltage industrial electrical, electromechanical, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving single-phase and three-phase electrical systems up to 600V.
• Support production and utility equipment by performing preventive maintenance, inspections, and corrective repairs.
• Identify, recommend, and implement upgrades to outdated or unsafe electrical and control system installations.
• Document new and existing equipment, power systems, control systems, schematics, and electrical drawings.
• Support standardization efforts utilizing Allen-Bradley PLCs, drives, HMI systems, and related automation components whenever practical.
• Perform system startups, operational checkouts, configuration, calibration, grounding verification, wiring validation, and power testing.
• Reload and reboot PLCs and related control systems following power outages or fault conditions.
• Size conductors and conduit, install and terminate wiring, fabricate conduit systems, and support electrical infrastructure projects.
• Assist mechanical maintenance and installation activities as needed.
• Provide hardware and software support for engineering, maintenance, and operations teams.
• Troubleshoot and maintain PLCs, HMIs, motor controls, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo systems, instrumentation, and industrial networking equipment.
• Utilize equipment manuals, P&IDs, schematics, blueprints, safety documentation, and technical references to diagnose and resolve equipment issues.
• Help maintain appropriate spare parts inventories for control and instrumentation systems.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to improve equipment reliability, process efficiency, and plant performance.
• Support the creation and delivery of training programs related to controls, automation, troubleshooting, and maintenance practices.
• Maintain documentation in accordance with management of change procedures.
• Direct contractors on larger installation projects as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

WHO YOU WILL WORK WITH…

You will collaborate closely with:

• Engineering and Maintenance Supervisors
• Maintenance Mechanics and Technicians
• Operations and Production Teams
• Process and Controls Engineers
• Reliability and Continuous Improvement Teams
• External Contractors and Service Providers
• Safety and Quality Team Members

While this position does not have direct supervisory responsibility, you may provide technical guidance and direction to contractors and project support personnel during installations and equipment upgrades.

WHAT YOU BRING TO THE TABLE… (MUST HAVE)

Education & Experience

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
• Minimum of two (2) years of industrial electrical, automation, controls, or electromechanical maintenance experience and/or training.
• Minimum of two (2) years of PLC programming, troubleshooting, and maintenance experience.
• Minimum of two (2) years of HMI troubleshooting and support experience.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of industrial electrical systems, including AC and DC circuits up to 600V.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing electrical, electromechanical, and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to read, interpret, troubleshoot, and modify electrical schematics, blueprints, and wiring diagrams.
• Experience using electrical diagnostic equipment, including digital multimeters and related test equipment.
• Working knowledge of relay logic, motor controls, and discrete control systems.
• Experience installing conduit, pulling wire, and performing electrical installations in industrial environments.
• Knowledge of sensors, instrumentation, and process control devices.
• Experience with VFDs, AC/DC motors, and servo-controlled systems.
• Understanding of industrial automation networks and communications systems.
• Knowledge of applicable electrical safety standards and codes, including NEC and NFPA requirements.
• Ability to troubleshoot equipment using technical manuals, schematics, P&IDs, and system documentation.

Core Competencies

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Dependable attendance and strong work ethic.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, climb, and work in elevated or confined spaces.
• Ability to regularly lift up to 50 pounds and push/pull loads up to 1,500 pounds with appropriate equipment.
• Ability to work around moving machinery, electrical systems, industrial noise, temperature extremes, vibration, and forklift traffic.
• Ability to work overtime as needed to support plant operations.
• Ability to pass required aptitude testing and licensing requirements associated with powered industrial equipment.

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU HAVE… (NICE TO HAVE)

• Associate degree or higher in Electrical Technology, Industrial Automation, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• PLC certification.
• State Electrician License.
• Experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs, PanelView HMIs, VFDs, and servo systems.
• Experience with Wonderware or similar HMI/SCADA platforms.
• Experience in food, beverage, consumer packaged goods, or other high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of intrinsically safe and explosion-proof electrical installations.
• Experience supporting continuous improvement, reliability, or automation upgrade projects.
• Previous experience developing and delivering technical training programs.