Automation Technician

Description:

Cargill is seeking a highly motivated and safety-conscious Automation Technician to join our maintenance team. In this role, you will be instrumental in ensuring the optimal performance and reliability of our automated systems and equipment. You will proactively identify and resolve issues, adhering to the highest safety and quality standards. This position requires you to skillfully and safely operate standard maintenance tools, including power tools and basic electrical testing equipment, with a growing emphasis on automation-specific diagnostic tools. You will be responsible for performing preventative maintenance on automated components, interpreting mechanical, electrical, and automation schematics, and independently tackling complex troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and increasingly, automation-related problems. Your strict adherence to prescribed safety regulations and departmental guidelines is crucial for maintaining a secure work environment. Furthermore, you will be involved in preparing work areas, gathering necessary materials and tools for automation tasks, and completing post-maintenance activities, including thorough documentation and clear communication of the work performed on automated systems.

Responsibilities

• Uphold process and industry standards, with a focus on automation specifications.
• Operate standard maintenance tools safely and effectively, including power tools, basic electrical testers, and automation diagnostic equipment.
• Execute preventative maintenance tasks, including detailed annual PMs, with a focus on automated systems.
• Proficiently read and interpret mechanical, electrical, and automation schematics.
• Independently troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, and automation-related issues.
• Adhere strictly to all safety rules, regulations, and departmental policies and procedures.
• Contribute to the development of improved safety practices, particularly concerning automated equipment.
• Pinpoint problem origins by observing mechanical and automated devices in operation, listening for irregularities, and utilizing precision measuring and testing instruments, including those specific to automation.
• Understand and maintain LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) certification.
• Identify necessary follow-up work and procure planned materials, tools, and documentation for scheduled tasks, especially those involving automation.
• Assess job sites as needed to define the scope of work for both reactive and proactive maintenance on automated systems.
• Prepare work areas, including scaffolding and safety measures, particularly for tasks involving automated equipment.
• Respond to urgent work requests from supervisors and efficiently transition to subsequent tasks upon completion or as directed, often involving automated system disruptions.
• Collaborate with the Maintenance Supervisor to resolve problems effectively to facilitate work on automated equipment.
• Complete post-maintenance activities, including tool inventory, parts reconciliation, sanitation tagging, and informing production of completed work on automated systems.
• Communicate effectively through written daily reports, detailing issues and actions taken, especially concerning automated systems.
• Assist in establishing and implementing preventative maintenance procedures for electronically controlled equipment, plant instrumentation, and plant data collection systems, with a strong emphasis on automation.
• Maintain and troubleshoot electronically controlled equipment, plant instrumentation, and plant data collection systems, with a primary focus on automation systems.

Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalent.
• 3 years of industrial maintenance experience, with exposure to automated systems.
• Strong electrical and mechanical aptitude, with a growing understanding of automation principles.
• Ability to read and interpret blueprints and other engineering drawings, including automation schematics.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting detailed blueprints, P&IDs, single-lines, and wiring schematics, including those for automated control systems.
• Demonstrate a strong personal safety commitment, consistently following all safety policies and procedures and proactively identifying and addressing unsafe conditions, especially around automated equipment.
• Flexibility to work weekend and off-shift hours as required.
• Programming and troubleshooting skills, preferably with Allen-Bradley or other relevant automation platforms.
• Willingness to participate in the Hazmat team.

Nice-to-haves:

• Computer literacy and a strong desire to learn SAP/PPE systems, with an interest in how they relate to automation maintenance.
• Maintenance experience within a food processing environment, including experience with automated food processing equipment.
• Ability to effectively utilize typical test and calibration equipment, including RTD calibrators, digital multi-meters, and 4 to 20 mA calibration units, as well as automation-specific diagnostic tools.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Insurance
• Health and Wellness Incentives
• Paid Vacation and Holidays
• 401(k) with Cargill Matching Contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Discounts