MSI Express

Contract manufacturing and packaging for foods

Mechanical Electrical Controls Technician

Controls & Automation EngineeringConfirmed live in the last 24 hours

Full-timeGrand Prairie, TX, USANo salary listedIn-person

About the Job

Requirements

An associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, or a related field is required.
At least 3 years of experience in controls or automation within a food manufacturing or industrial environment is required.
Experience with mechanical systems maintenance and troubleshooting is strongly preferred.
Experience with Allen-Bradley controls and knowledge of additional platforms such as Siemens and Omron are required.
Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, and food safety requirements in regulated production is required.
Experience troubleshooting and maintaining control systems in high-speed manufacturing is required.
Knowledge of industrial control systems, including programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, variable-frequency drives, electronics, instrumentation, and sensors is required.
Working knowledge of mechanical systems such as pumps, gearboxes, and conveyors is required.
Knowledge of electrical codes, safety standards, and food manufacturing regulations is required.
Familiarity with automation system integration and process control strategies is required.
Understanding of documentation requirements for regulated environments is required.
Proficiency in troubleshooting and programming programmable logic controllers and human-machine interfaces is required.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control diagrams is required.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines is required.
Ability to follow and promote a safety-first and food-safe culture is required.
Ability to respond effectively to equipment failures and control system issues is required.
Ability to support continuous improvement initiatives and implement technical solutions is required.
Ability to work in a physically demanding environment, including standing, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds, is required.
Technical certifications in programmable logic controller programming, industrial controls, or electrical systems are preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, servos, sensors, motor controls, and other input/output systems.
Make basic programmable logic controller and human-machine interface edits to restore or improve operation.
Tune and optimize machine vision and barcode systems during changeovers, ensuring reliable detection, verification, and scanning.
Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and corrective repairs on mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
Respond to equipment failures involving electrical and control systems, and support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
Clean up, organize, and improve machine wiring for safety and reliability.
Redline and update electrical schematics and maintain backups of programmable logic controller, human-machine interface, servo, and vision programs.
Assist with installing new equipment under Engineering guidance and provide electrical and controls expertise during integration and commissioning.
Maintain accurate records of control-system changes, wiring diagrams, and programming updates to support audit readiness and regulatory compliance.
Troubleshoot and repair programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, variable-frequency drives, sensors, and control wiring across production and utility systems.
When prioritized and directed by the manager, diagnose and repair mechanical components such as bearings, gearboxes, conveyors, and pumps.
Perform preventive maintenance on control systems and automation equipment, including mechanical inspections, lubrication, and adjustments.
Support installation and commissioning of new equipment and control panels.
Modify and update control logic and programming to improve system performance.
Maintain electrical schematics, program backups, and change logs.
Respond to equipment alarms and downtime events related to control systems.
Collaborate with Engineering and Maintenance on capital projects and system upgrades.
Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation protocols during electrical work.
Support audit preparation and provide documentation for regulatory and customer inspections.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and recommend control-system enhancements.
Follow company policies, including general manufacturing and safety practices.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.
Follow and promote company-directed safety policies and procedures; use required arc-flash, hearing, and eye protection; follow Lockout/Tagout procedures; and work in accordance with NFPA 70E and internal electrical safety standards.
Ensure controls work complies with Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points, Good Manufacturing Practices, and Safe Quality Food standards; comply with FDA, USDA, and local regulatory requirements; and maintain clean practices to prevent production contamination.
Perform tasks safely under OSHA and company safety policies, support machine guarding, Lockout/Tagout, and sanitation procedures, promptly report hazards and near misses, and follow food-safety rules during electrical and controls work.
Collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, and Production to resolve technical issues and support new equipment installations and upgrades.

Desired Qualifications

Technical certifications in programmable logic controller programming, industrial controls, or electrical systems are preferred.
Experience with mechanical systems maintenance and troubleshooting is strongly preferred.

Job Description:

ROLE PURPOSE / POSITION SUMMARY

The Mechanical Electrical Controls Technician (MEC Technician) is accountable for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing electrical control systems and automation equipment at a single food manufacturing site. This role ensures that all control systems operate reliably and safely to support production efficiency, product quality, and regulatory compliance (e.g., HACCP, GMP, FDA, USDA). The MEC Technician plays a critical role in supporting equipment uptime, implementing control system improvements, and collaborating with maintenance, engineering, and production teams to resolve technical issues. This position contributes to continuous improvement initiatives and supports a safety-first, food-safe manufacturing environment. In addition to controls work, this role is responsible for mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and ensuring optimal performance of production and utility systems. The MEC Technician will diagnose issues across mechanical drives, gearboxes, pumps, and electrical circuits, while implementing proactive maintenance strategies to minimize downtime and extend equipment life.

Safety as the Highest Priority

Personal Safety

Follow and promote all company-directed safety policies and procedures.
Use required PPE, including arc-flash protection, hearing protection, and eye protection.
Adhere strictly to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) when working on energized or potentially hazardous equipment.
Work in accordance with NFPA 70E and internal electrical safety standards.

Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance

Ensure control system work complies with HACCP, GMP, and SQF standards.
Perform all work in compliance with FDA, USDA, and local regulatory agencies.
Maintain clean work practices to prevent contamination in production environments.

Safety & Workplace Standards

Perform all tasks safely following OSHA and company safety policies.
Support and enforce machine guarding, LOTO, and proper sanitation procedures.
Report unsafe conditions, hazards, and near misses promptly.
Ensure compliance with food-safety rules during electrical and controls work.

Key Accountabilities

Automation & Controls Support

Maintain and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, servos, sensors, motor controls, and other I/O systems.
Perform basic PLC and HMI edits to restore or improve operation.

Vision & Barcode Systems

Tune and optimize machine vision and barcode systems during changeovers.
Ensure reliable detection, verification, and scanning performance.

Proactive and Preventive Maintenance

Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and corrective repairs on mechanical, electrical, and control systems to ensure reliable operation.
Perform scheduled preventive maintenance and respond to equipment failures involving electrical and control systems. Support root cause analysis and corrective actions.

Electrical Wiring & Drawings

Clean up, organize, and improve machine wiring for safety and reliability.
Redline and update electrical schematics to maintain accurate documentation.
Maintain organized backups of PLC, HMI, servo, and vision programs.

Equipment Installation

Assist with installing new equipment under guidance from Engineering.
Provide electrical and controls expertise during integration and commissioning.
Ensure equipment meets safety, electrical, and food safety standards.

Documentation & Compliance:

Maintain accurate records of control system changes, wiring diagrams, and programming updates.
Ensure documentation supports audit readiness and regulatory compliance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

Work closely with maintenance, engineering, and production teams to resolve technical issues and support new equipment installations or upgrades.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Troubleshoot and repair PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and control wiring across production and utility systems.
Additionally, when prioritized and directed by manager, diagnose and repair mechanical components such as bearings, gearboxes, conveyors, and pumps.
Perform preventive maintenance on control systems and automation equipment. Include mechanical inspections, lubrication, and adjustments as part of preventive maintenance routines.
Support installation and commissioning of new equipment and control panels.
Modify and update control logic and programming to improve system performance.
Maintain documentation including electrical schematics, program backups, and change logs.
Respond to equipment alarms and downtime events related to control systems.
Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams on capital projects and system upgrades.
Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation protocols during electrical work.
Support audit preparation and provide documentation for regulatory and customer inspections.
Participate in continuous improvement initiatives and recommend control system enhancements.
Follow all company policies including general manufacturing and safety practices.
Perform other duties as assigned by management.

QUALIFICATIONS / CAPABILITY PROFILE

Minimum Education

Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, or a related field.
Technical certifications in PLC programming, industrial controls, or electrical systems are preferred.

Minimum Experience

3+ years of experience in controls or automation within a food manufacturing or industrial environment. Experience with mechanical systems maintenance and troubleshooting is strongly preferred.
Experience with Allen-Bradley and knowledge of additional controls platforms as required, such as Siemens and Omron.
Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, and food safety requirements in a regulated production setting.
Experience with troubleshooting and maintaining control systems in high-speed manufacturing.

Minimum Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge:

Strong proof of understanding of industrial control systems including PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, electronics, instrumentation and sensors. Working knowledge of mechanical systems such as pumps, gearboxes, and conveyors.
Knowledge of electrical codes, safety standards, and food manufacturing regulations.
Familiarity with automation system integration and process control strategies.
Understanding of documentation requirements for regulated environments.

Skills:

Proficient in troubleshooting and programming PLCs and HMIs.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Curiosity; a desire to learn
A “lean-in” mentality: don’t wait to be asked; rather, identify, recommend and implement improvement ideas
Effective communication and collaboration within and across departments.
Skilled in reading and interpreting electrical schematics and control diagrams.

Abilities:

Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines.
Ability to follow and promote a safety-first and food-safe culture.
Ability to respond swiftly and effectively to equipment failures and control system issues.
Ability to support continuous improvement initiatives and implement technical solutions.
Ability to work in a physically demanding environment including standing, climbing, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

MSI Express is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

About the Company

MSI Express

Contract manufacturing and packaging for foods

MSI Express is a contract manufacturing and packaging partner for the food and beverage industry in the United States. It blends dry and liquid foods, fills bottles and stick packs, performs pouching and secondary packaging, and manufactures vitamins, supplements, and dry pet food across 15 facilities in six states. It offers turnkey, single-source solutions that cover blending, filling, packaging, and private-label production, while upholding food-safety standards such as SQF Level 3 to protect brands. The company differentiates itself by scale, a range of packaging formats (including aseptic filling through Power Packaging and large-scale blending via PacMoore Hammond), and a growth strategy based on acquisitions and private-equity backing to expand capabilities and geographic reach.

Company size: 501-1,000
Company stage: Not listed
Total funding: Not listed
Headquarters: Newcomerstown, OH
Founded: 1998

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