Controls Technician
Vulcan Elements · Research Triangle Park
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 help 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.
Responsibilities:
- 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.
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 modifications 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.
Preferred qualifications:
- 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 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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