Controls Engineering Technician

Morton Salt is an iconic, 175-year-old company with a strong heritage and a bright future. We help unlock the flavors in food, make roads and sidewalks safer, improve the water in baths, pools, and homes, and keep businesses and industries running. We are a dedicated team who constantly strives to do better together, and we are passionate about building a sustainable future for our company, the communities in which we operate, and the world around us. By joining our team, you will contribute to producing and delivering every form of salt that enhances everyday life.

Job Summary

Instrumentation and control technicians are responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting industrial controls equipment. They commonly work with large machinery that requires precise controls to operate properly—everything from natural gas dryers and conveyors to robot aided palletizers and automated packaging equipment.

Duties and Responsibilities

Instrumentation and control technicians must be able to read schematics and diagrams in order to install new equipment or troubleshoot existing systems. Program and troubleshoot PLC’s & HMI’s, Fanuc robots, network and non-network connected motor controls, and site security systems. They also need to have a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles so they can troubleshoot problems when they arise.

• Develop and execute projects as assigned, including cost estimations, submittals, coordinating installation with production and maintenance, preparing documentation, develop SOP’s and assist in related employee training.
• Assist other engineers/project managers by managing electrical and control components of plant projects, including cost estimations, submittals, coordinating installation with production and maintenance and documentation.
• Provide electrical and controls support for the production operations and maintenance departments, including troubleshooting control and electrical issues and problem resolution as they relate to equipment and process downtime, throughput improvement, and or any safety concerns.
• Work with the IT group to troubleshoot, modify, and/or update OT and plant network communications.
• Investigate and resolve issues associated with process and manufacturing controls.
• Recommend modifications to present operations when more flexible and feasible engineering alternatives could render improvements.
• Maintain and update controls documentation, drawings, schematics and troubleshooting guides.
• Programming, troubleshooting and documentation of Allen-Bradley PLC controls, HMIs, and instrumentation.
• Ensure plant automated equipment: robots, PLC’s, and process control equipment, is functioning as designed/required.
• Responsible for PLC and HMI software changes, improvements and troubleshooting of existing equipment.
• Responsible for Fanuc robot program adjustments and changes.
• Capture and document changes and update prints etc.
• Responsible for reviewing/developing plant electrical layouts and equipment design layouts.
• Utilize input from production, maintenance supervisors, tradesmen, operators, vendors, and service providers to provide troubleshooting assistance and make improvements on all electrical equipment.
• Establish, maintain, update and administer electrical control plans.
• Generate, prepare, and present regular reports to both internal and external stakeholders. Perform any related tasks as needed. Responsible for following all Safety and Environmental policies and procedures.
• Accountable for Ensuring Compliance with all QC Requirements (GMP, HACCP) and providing technical expertise to drive continuous improvement in product quality.
• Manage Contractors as Necessary.
• Installing, maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting control devices such as thermocouples and RTD’s, level sensors, switches, pressure gauges, flowmeters, or other devices used to measure or regulate conditions in a facility or process being controlled.
• Monitoring equipment performance and making adjustments as needed to maintain optimal performance levels.
• Installing electrical wiring to control devices or equipment such as motors, pumps, fans, or lights
• Installing, troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining electrical control panels and other electrical equipment used in industrial settings.
• Installing, maintaining, repairing, and replacing industrial equipment such as conveyors, compressors, pumps, gas dryer BMS systems, robots.
• Testing and calibrating equipment to ensure that it is operating correctly.
• Conducting research to develop new technologies or improve existing equipment.
• Mentor and Train others in the Maintenance and Production Department.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Communication skills: Instrumentation and control technicians communicate with other technicians, engineers and other professionals to discuss and interpret data and information. They also communicate with clients to explain the purpose of the equipment and the results of the data. Effective communication skills can help instrumentation and control technicians to collaborate with others to solve problems and develop solutions.

Technical knowledge: Instrumentation and control technicians need to have a strong understanding of electrical and mechanical systems to be successful in the role. They need to know how to read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics, diagrams and blueprints to troubleshoot and repair electrical and mechanical systems. They also need to understand how to use and read various types of monitoring and control equipment to ensure the systems are working properly.

Problem-solving skills: Problem-solving skills are necessary for instrumentation and control technicians because they often need to identify and resolve issues with the equipment they service. These professionals may also need to troubleshoot issues with the software that controls the equipment.

Attention to detail: Instrumentation and control technicians must have excellent attention to detail to ensure they are installing equipment correctly. They must also have attention to detail when testing and troubleshooting equipment to ensure they are identifying the source of any issues. Attention to detail is also important when recording data and documenting procedures.

Teamwork skills: Instrumentation and control technicians often work in teams with other technicians and engineers. This is because many of the tasks they perform require multiple people to complete. For example, installing a new electrical system may require several technicians to lift heavy equipment and move it to the correct location.

Education: Minimum of an associate degree, or Certification in Automation or Journeyman Electrician or significant controls experience in a Manufacturing Environment. Prefer a BS Degree in Instrumentation and Controls with Manufacturing and Robotic experience.

At Morton Salt, we work best when we work as a team, when we treat one another with dignity and respect, and value the unique contributions of others. We are committed to equal employment opportunity and prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, national origin, sex, religion, color, disability, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.