PLC Programmer

About the Role

The PLC Programmer serves as the technical lead for the controls department, developing, modifying, and commissioning PLC programs and Ignition SCADA projects. This role acts as the escalation point for complex controls issues, leads functional specification development for new equipment, ensures contractor deliverables meet engineering and automation standards, and mentors controls technicians.

Responsibilities

• Develop, modify, and maintain Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLC programs using Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagrams (FBD), and Sequential Function Charts (SFC).
• Commission, validate, and troubleshoot PLC programs for new equipment installations and major system modifications.
• Design, develop, and maintain Ignition SCADA projects, including:
  • Perspective screens
  • Tag configuration
  • Alarm pipelines
  • Python scripting
  • Database integration
• Lead troubleshooting efforts during complex controls and automation failures across the facility.
• Diagnose and resolve industrial network communication issues involving:
  • EtherNet/IP
  • Modbus TCP
  • MQTT/Sparkplug
• Maintain accurate PLC and SCADA documentation in accordance with established automation standards.
• Manage software change control by documenting program modifications, facilitating peer reviews, and verifying successful implementation.
• Review and audit contractor controls deliverables for compliance with automation, software, and IT standards.
• Support capital projects by providing controls engineering input during equipment selection, design reviews, and installation planning.
• Develop and maintain preventive maintenance procedures for automation and controls equipment.
• Mentor and certify junior controls technicians through structured on-the-job training programs.
• Deliver technical training sessions as part of the organization's internal controls training curriculum.
• Participate in an on-call rotation to support critical production downtime and emergency troubleshooting.

Requirements

• Minimum 5 years of industrial controls experience, including PLC programming (beyond troubleshooting).
• Proven experience developing production-level Allen-Bradley ControlLogix or CompactLogix applications, including:
  • Add-On Instructions (AOIs)
  • User-Defined Data Types (UDTs)
  • Structured Text
  • Function Block Diagrams
• Hands-on experience developing Ignition SCADA applications, including:
  • Perspective
  • Python scripting
  • OPC-UA configuration
• Strong experience troubleshooting industrial communication networks, including EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP.
• Experience developing and maintaining PanelView or FactoryTalk View HMIs.
• Familiarity with FactoryTalk Security.
• Strong technical documentation and change management practices.
• LOTO certification required.
• OSHA 10 certification required (OSHA 30 preferred).
• Ability to work safely within a USDA-inspected manufacturing environment.

Required Certifications

• Current Inductive Automation Ignition Core Certification (or ability to obtain shortly after hire).
• Rockwell Automation Certified Technician (RACT) for Logix or equivalent demonstrated expertise.
• Completion of CCP299 Advanced Logix5000 Programming, or willingness to complete within the first six months of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in beef, pork, poultry, or other food processing manufacturing environments.
• Rockwell Automation Certified Professional (RACP) - Studio 5000 Logix Designer.
• OT cybersecurity training (ISA IC32 or equivalent).
• Experience configuring and troubleshooting managed industrial switches (Stratix or Cisco) and VLANs.
• Experience working with PostgreSQL databases, including named queries and basic schema development.
• Experience reviewing and auditing contractor automation work.
• Previous experience mentoring, coaching, or training junior controls technicians.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work throughout an industrial manufacturing facility while wearing required PPE, including hard hat, steel-toe boots, safety glasses, hearing protection, hair net, and beard net (where applicable).
• Comfortable working in varying temperatures and moderate noise environments.
• Regularly required to:
  • Stand, walk, and sit for extended periods
  • Climb stairs and ladders
  • Reach, push, pull, and perform repetitive hand movements
  • Bend, stoop, and access equipment for maintenance and troubleshooting
• Frequently lift and/or move 25-50 pounds, with the ability to occasionally lift up to 100 pounds.