Electrical Controls Technician

Company Overview

Why Choose Us?

Novolex is a leading manufacturer of food, beverage, and specialty packaging that supports multiple industries including foodservice, restaurant delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial sectors. Novolex manufacturing and sourcing expertise spans a diverse range of substrates including resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more. We provide customers a broad array of stock and customized solutions with 120 product categories, 250 brands and over 39,000 SKUs.

 

Our Sustainability Commitment

The Novolex sustainability vision is built upon three pillars: our products, our operations and our people. Each is critically important to our growth and future as a business. These pillars form the foundation of our company-wide commitment to sustainability, helping us achieve our ambitious goals through our wide-ranging initiatives.

 

Job Description

Position Summary

The Electrical Controls Technician serves as the facility’s primary controls and automation specialist, responsible for the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of all control systems supporting manufacturing operations. This role requires advanced technical expertise in PLC programming, industrial automation, and system integration, and functions as the technical escalation point for complex electrical and control-related issues. This position serves as a frontline technical authority and an extension of management, exercising independent judgment on operational and personnel matters to ensure reliability, efficiency, and accountability of the workforce.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for all plant control systems, including PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and industrial communication networks (e.g., Ethernet/IP).
• Participate in interviewing and selecting maintenance employees; provide recommendations that carry weight in hiring decisions
• Provide day-to-day directions and oversight to maintenance personnel on assigned shifts or projects.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics on PLC-controlled equipment, integrated production systems, and electrical/automation failures.
• Read, interpret, and modify PLC programs and control logic to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and optimize performance.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for recurring or complex failures and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Act as the technical escalation point, providing guidance to maintenance technicians, electromechanics, and production personnel.
• Support and execute capital projects and equipment upgrades, including controls integration, commissioning, and startup validation.
• Develop and maintain electrical schematics, control documentation, PLC backups, and version control.
• Identify and implement continuous improvement initiatives related to automation, efficiency, and system reliability.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, including electrical safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Continuous Improvement, and Operations teams.
• Train, coach, and develop maintenance employees in electrical and controls competencies
• Promote a culture of accountability, ownership, and continuous improvement within the maintenance team
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance experience with a strong controls/automation focus.
• Demonstrated experience with PLC troubleshooting/programming, 480V electrical systems, VFDs, and motor control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and perform system-level diagnostics.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Required Qualifications

• PLC certification (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent).
• Technical degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Experience with industrial networks (Ethernet/IP, DeviceNet), HMI configuration, and CMMS systems (e.g., SAP).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation systems.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills.
• High level of technical judgment and decision-making capability.

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