Controls Technician - Nights
Mars · Ft. Smith, AR
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Experience asked
- 2+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 2 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level controls role at Mars (food & beverage) in Ft. Smith, AR. Additionally, they will help execute the strategy for the Factory Controls and IT Asset Health Check Program.
- They ask for
- 2+ years · degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- PLC, Automation, SolidWorks, AutoCAD
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 324 other live controls postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (2+ vs 5+)
Typical $71k–$97k, from 19 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 63%
- ✓ Automation 63%
- Robotics 33%
- Team leadership 29%
- Root cause 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for SolidWorks, AutoCAD, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Mars
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Mars in Ft. Smith
1 other open role at this site.
- Director, Maintenance & Reliability · Reliability · Director+
Full description from MarsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
include supporting the Engineering Manager on Capital projects and developing Reliability Technicians. Key concepts of the role include, but are not limited to, developing control concepts, program design, coding and implementation, instrumentation selection, and operator interface development.
Additionally, the Controls Technician executes the modification and installation of control systems utilizing the Change Control process for assigned areas; transfers knowledge of control systems and electrical projects; and supports and maintains control networks for assigned areas, web servers, data historians, and operator interface systems.
Responsibilities
- ◆Delivery of Control & IT Solutions related Services
- ◆Accountable for problem resolution for Instrumentation and Electrical equipment within assigned area
- ◆Accountable for problem resolution for Factory Controls & IT systems within assigned area
- ◆Interact with the Reliability department in order to solve problems and define improvements
- ◆Supports the Automation Roadmap Strategy & Cyber Security Compliance
- ◆Support for Ops, IE’s, and Engineering Teams responsible for delivery of Factory Controls & IT Initiatives
- ◆Support, as directed, Engineering Projects by participating in the design and check-out of control systems
- ◆Support the work activities of outside contractors, control technicians, and other associates with the installation of instrumentation, PLC-based control systems, and PC based operator interfaces
- ◆Prepare job aids, user documentation, systems documentation, standard operating procedures, and training materials for plant automation systems
- ◆Identify opportunities and recommend changes to improve plant performance
- ◆Provide input into site engineering standards for programming and systems design
- ◆Assist in performing programming, testing, and debugging for new systems as well as for the enhancement of existing systems
- ◆Modify systems including, but not limited to, Wonderware, Rockwell, Traksys applications to support engineering projects
- ◆Support the plant with control technologies for Level I, Level II, Level III, and Factory IT control systems
- ◆Provide Strategy for Factory Control & IT Asset Health Check Program
- ◆Recognize the current phase of the lifecycle for each Infrastructure Solution and Service and prepare an appropriate action plan
- ◆Business Engagement and Communication (for assigned areas)
- ◆Support all topics related to Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure
- ◆Provide the communication and marketing of Factory Controls & IT Infrastructure Solutions and Services to engineering, maintenance, and production
- ◆Proficient in Factory Controls & IT, demonstrating a clear understanding of the problems and opportunities for business change
- ◆Proficient in Instrumentation and Electrical equipment
- ◆Collaborate with shift-based production and maintenance teams to understand any breakdown or reliability issues
- ◆Achieve and maintain a high level of technical competency
- ◆Train and support non-technical users on the use of plant floor automation systems
Qualifications
- ✓2-year Technical Degree/Certificate (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation) or equivalent experience
- ✓1 -2 years of Instrumentation & Electrical, Electronics, or Factory Controls & IT experience, including production system troubleshooting and problem resolution
- ✓Possess or can obtain an Operational Electrical Qualification Certificate (must be able to work independently on live electrical panels)
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓2-year Technical Degree (Electrical/Electronic/Controls/Automation)
- ✓2 - 3 years of Instrumentation & Electrical, Electronics, or Factory Controls & IT experience, including production system troubleshooting and problem resolution
- ✓Server Administration, Virtual Infrastructure Administration, & Database Administration knowledge
- ✓Cisco Equipment Architecture knowledge
- ✓Key Functional Competencies & Technical Skills
- ✓In-depth contact with users must be maintained to gather information processing problems or
requirements
- ✓Demonstrate the ability to analyze and test applications for Factory Control & IT systems
- ✓Good understanding of Operating Systems environments, including Microsoft Windows PC and Server Operating systems, Active Directory, other Microsoft technologies, and thin-client technologies
- ✓Basic knowledge of AutoCAD and SolidWorks PDM
- ✓Ability to work well with user departments to provide operational support in the use of HMI terminals,
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description
Job: Controls Tech - Maintenance
Shift: Nights
Location: Mars Petcare – Fort Smith, AR
Mars is looking to hire a Controls Tech - Maintenance for our state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Fort Smith, AR! Being a Mars Associate is all about opportunity. The opportunity to do challenging, exciting work that shapes the world’s best-loved brands. To work with real purpose, supported by talented, friendly people from different backgrounds. Access the tools, training, and experience you need to impact our business, the planet positively, and, most importantly, your career. Being a Mars associate is more than a job. It’s the opportunity to start your day tomorrow.
Controls Technicians are primarily responsible for the day-to-day support of the site's Instrumentation and electrical equipment and Factory Controls and IT systems. Additionally, they will help execute the strategy for the Factory Controls and IT Asset Health Check Program.