Controls Technician Intern

First Quality Retail Services, LLC in Lewistown, PA is seeking talented, team-oriented members for its Internship Programs in 2027. We have one goal: providing you with real life, hands-on experience!  These positions are full-time, paid positions where you will work on real projects with real results!

Purpose and role of job:

This role helps to identify and correct issues keeping production equipment and associated machinery from running efficiently.

Internship Outcomes

• Improve programming and editing PLC logic skills.

• Improve knowledge of available tools and resources to assist with troubleshooting industrial automation equipment.

• Learn networking skills.

• Gain exposure to troubleshooting electro-mechanical machinery using real-time software, electrical drawings, and a multi-meter.

• Improve effective communication skills in a professional environment.

• Gain experience in high speed manufacturing.

• Gain exposure to cutting edge technology.

Principal Accountabilities/ Responsibilities:

• Observes OSHA and company safety rules and uses the proper safety equipment at all times.Identifies potentially dangerous electrical hazards and takes immediate corrective action. 

• Work with experienced technicians to diagnose problems using: laptop computers interfaced to PLC’s, electrical schematics, multimeters, oscilloscopes, and any additional resources available.

• Assist with completing Preventative Maintenance tasks including backing up programs, checking electrical connections, and safety systems checks.

• Organize equipment documentation from OEMs, FQ produced documents and troubleshooting guides.  

• Shares knowledge and techniques with team members.

Education and experience requirements:

• High school graduate with Mechatronic (or similar) experience; or Currently enrolled in an Associate’s Degree in Industrial/Manufacturing Automation, Computer Science, or related field.

• Personal Computer skills including specific controls programming software and basic e-mail, word processing, spreadsheet applications, and project management software.

• Strong communication skills.

• Communicates with the maintenance and production staff to understand what is required to make the machines operate as efficiently as possible while making the best product possible.

• Communicates with the production staff to identify problems and possible causeson the machinery.

• Strong analytical skills.

• Identifies machine problems and their potential causes by drawing on past experiences and utilizing critical thinking.

• Devises and performs tests to identify the root cause of problems.

• Analyzes data from equipment/program testing, event logs, operator/co-worker feedback, and historian data to identify trends and anomalies that indicate sources of inefficiency.

• Identifiespossible causes of future downtime and determineappropriate actions to take to prevent them.

• Programming experience with one or more program languages.

• Wide degree of creativity is encouraged.

• Can identifynumerous alternative solutions and choose between them.

• Initiates new standards and practices that will improve the effectiveness of the machine controls and controls group.

• Ability to work well with others at any experience level of any team within First Quality.

Work Environment:

• Work in an environment exposed to dust.

• Work in an environment exposed to marked changes in temperature or humidity.

Physical Requirements:

• Occasional stooping, bending, kneeling, squatting, crawl throughout shift.

• Occasional climbing and reaching into machines.

• Occasional reaching overhead during shift.

• Frequent lifting or carrying of 30 lbs but occasional lifting/carrying which could include a two person lift of 100 lbs. from floor to waist, waist to shoulder.

• Constant use of hands.

• Constant light and firm grasping with hands throughout shift.

• Continuous housekeeping by organizing work area.

• Occasional climbing of steps/ladders.

• Occasional twisting and turning of wrists.