Controls Technician
Vulcan Elements · Research Triangle Park, NC
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Controls
- Industry
- Metals
- Posted
- 14 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Vulcan Elements (metals) in Research Triangle Park, NC. As a Controls Technician you will h elp keep Vulcan Elements’ running Durham pilot reliable while making its controls changes easier to execute and trace.
- Tools it names
- PLC
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 181 other live controls postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $79k–$99k, from 7 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 57%
- Automation 55%
- Robotics 35%
- Union environment 29%
- Root cause 25%
- Team leadership 23%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention 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 Vulcan Elements
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 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: Vulcan Elements in Research Triangle Park
9 other open roles at this site.
- Product Quality Engineer · Quality
- Staff Process Engineer · Process · Senior
- Controls Engineer · Controls
- Sr. Controls Engineer · Controls · Senior
- Sr. Quality Engineer · Quality · Senior
- Senior Materials & Process Engineer - Powder Metallurgy · Process · Senior
Full description from Vulcan ElementsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
and tasks outlined are not exhaustive and may change as determined by the needs of the business.
Qualifications
- ✓Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled industrial equipment and reading ladder logic; ability to work with structured text or learn it quickly.
- ✓High school diploma/GED
- ✓Experience making and testing PLC or HMI changes in a running production environment.
- ✓Ability to trace a fault across program logic, I/O, field devices, and operator displays using electrical schematics and standard troubleshooting tools.
- ✓Diligent change documentation and the judgment to recognize when proposed modification s need engineering review.
- ✓Ability to use a digital multimeter and other electrical troubleshooting tools
- ✓Soldering and wiring
Must be a U.S. Person due to required access to U.S. export-controlled information or facilities.
Requirements
The position requires regular presence on the production floor and the ability to navigate all areas of the facility. Candidates must be able to climb stairs, stand and walk for extended periods, and work in environments that may be hot, humid, or noisy. The role also requires the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators, and adherence to all applicable safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements. Employees must be able to complete required fit testing, wear appropriate PPE for the duration of assigned tasks, and respond safely to changing conditions within the production environment.
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About Vulcan Elements
Vulcan Elements is manufacturing American rare-earth permanent magnets for a secure, resilient future. With a focus on national security and economic resiliency, we serve critical industries such as defense, aerospace, and automotive powering a high-technology future. Vulcan Elements is building a team of ambitious professionals committed to Mission Focus, Technical Excellence and Integrity.
As a Controls Technician you will h elp keep Vulcan Elements’ running Durham pilot reliable while making its controls changes easier to execute and trace. You will troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment and carry out routine logic, HMI, recipe, and parameter changes while working directly with the Pilot Operations Controls Engineer.
R esponsibilities
- •Provide first-line controls support: Diagnose PLC, HMI, I/O, drive, instrument, and industrial communication issues with the pilot controls team and equipment vendors.
- •Implement and test routine PLC logic, HMI screen, tag, recipe, and parameter improvements/ changes within an agreed scope; escalate larger design changes as needed.
- •Document the reason for each change, its approval, the version installed, test results, and the updated as-is code or screen record.
- •Read electrical drawings and controls documentation to support troubleshooting, then update affected I/O lists and controls records after changes.
- •Coordinate change windows and return-to-service checks with the Controls Engineer and production team.
- •Support the two electrical Controls Technicians with code-level diagnosis while drawing on their field wiring and instrumentation expertise .
Preferred q ualifications
- +Experience with Rockwell Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal.
- +Experience configuring HMI screens, tags, recipes, or operating parameters.
- +Familiarity with Ignition or another industrial SCADA platform.
- +Industrial panel wiring, instrument, or drive troubleshooting experience.
- +Digital schematic generation and reading
- +Networking infrastructure installations
- +Experience with basic power tools
Physical and Environmental