I&E Technician (Can Plant)

About the role

Our Waco, TX facility manufactures aluminum beverage cans for soft drinks, beers, energy drinks, teas, and non-carbonated beverages. Using state-of-the-art can-making technology in a high-speed environment, this role provides rewarding manufacturing opportunities. The Instrumentation & Electronics Technician is responsible for the calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of all process control instrumentation, electronic devices, and electrical automation components within the plant, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of monitoring and control systems (PLCs, sensors, communication networks) that govern critical processes like high-speed machine timing, temperature control, and dimensional quality verification.

Responsibilities

• Calibration and Instrumentation
  • Perform scheduled and corrective calibration of field instrumentation, including flow meters (magnetic, Coriolis), temperature transmitters (RTDs, thermocouples), pressure sensors, pH probes, and conductivity sensors.
  • Maintain and calibrate specialized electronic inspection and dimensional measurement systems used on high-speed lines (e.g., Light Testers, vision systems, enamel raters, coating weight testers).
  • Maintain accurate, detailed records of all calibration activities, instrument status, and test results in compliance with Quality Management Systems and regulatory standards.
• Electronics and Control Systems
  • Troubleshoot, repair, and replace components within Allen-Bradley Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Distributed Control System (DCS), and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) hardware and software. Assist engineering with program modifications and system upgrades.
  • Diagnose and repair faults in control circuits, including proximity sensors, photo eyes, level transmitters, encoders, and network communication modules (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profibus).
  • Troubleshoot and maintain electronic components of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), servo drives, and DC motor controls used to regulate machine speed and timing.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot communication systems, industrial networking equipment, and electronic data collection devices.
• Troubleshooting and Safety
  • Utilize multimeters, calibrators, oscilloscopes, and specialized software to diagnose intermittent and complex electronic and instrumentation faults across various plant departments (Front End, Decorator, Back End, and Utilities).
  • Participate in structured problem-solving efforts (Root Cause Analysis) to determine the electronic or instrumentation root causes of repetitive quality and downtime issues.
  • Rigorously adhere to all plant safety regulations, especially Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, and practices for working safely with electrical components and high-voltage panels (up to 480V).

Requirements

• Education & Experience
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
  • 3–5 years of specialized experience maintaining instrumentation and electronic controls in a high-speed manufacturing or continuous process environment.
• Technical Skills
  • Proficient in reading electrical schematics, P&IDs, and ladder logic.
  • Experience with Allen-Bradley PLC hardware.
  • Demonstrated ability to use precision electrical test equipment and hand tools.
• Availability
  • Must be able to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
  • Must be available for emergency technical support and on-call emergencies regarding critical utility failures that threaten production continuity.

Skills

• Proven expertise in the theory, operation, and calibration of standard industrial instrumentation and analytical equipment.
• Strong functional knowledge and experience troubleshooting Allen-Bradley PLC hardware and software.
• Advanced understanding of analog and digital circuitry, control loops, and signal conditioning.
• Expert ability to read and interpret complex Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and electrical schematics.
• Exceptional analytical and structured troubleshooting skills to address intricate control system failures.
• General knowledge of basic computer operations for accessing information or entering data.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in high-speed manufacturing (beverage, food, or pharma).
• Prior experience in metal forming, packaging, or high-volume consumer goods (FMCG).
• Associate degree in Electronics, Instrumentation, or Electrical Technology.
• ISA Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST) or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience with Ignition SCADA or similar industrial software platforms.
• Prior experience in the aluminum packaging or beverage industry.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma principles.
• Experience using precision measurement tools (calipers, micrometers).

Schedule

• 12-hour rotating shifts: 4 days on and 4 days off.
• Rotating shifts require working night shifts.
• Schedule may vary depending on plant operational needs, including long days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overtime.
• Regular and predictable attendance is an essential function of this position.

Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described represent the activities and surroundings of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Works primarily in a warehouse/manufacturing facility with daily contact with other departmental personnel.
• Occasionally works in all weather conditions, extreme temperatures, around chemicals and chemical fumes/emissions, dusty and clean environments.
• Frequently works with electrical and mechanical hazards.
• May be required to work outside and/or in an un-air-conditioned warehouse when handling surplus and scrap materials.
• Continuous use of vision, hearing, and speech.
• Frequent sitting, standing, walking, and occasional bending.
• Will lift, carry, pull/push, and reach for supplies, occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Will need to climb stairs, climb ladders, lift and move objects, and requires manual dexterity and repetitive use of keyboard/computer devices, power tools, and machining equipment.
• Must wear safety equipment, such as earplugs, goggles, and steel-toed shoes.