Maintenance Controls Technician IN SUMMERVILLE SC pay: 39-41.25 Job DescriptionThe Controls Technician serves as the senior technical controls resource within the maintenance department, providing advanced PLC, automation, controls, and electrical troubleshooting support on automated manufacturing equipment. This role steps in when Maintenance Technicians and Leads cannot resolve complex equipment issues, performing in-depth diagnostics at the PLC and controls level to restore equipment operation quickly and prevent repeat failures. The position focuses heavily on hands-on work on the manufacturing floor in a regulated environment, partnering closely with Maintenance, Production, Engineering, and Quality to minimize downtime and support equipment reliability.Responsibilities
- Serve as the highest-level technical escalation point for controls and electrical issues within the maintenance troubleshooting structure.
- Provide advanced PLC, automation, controls, and electrical troubleshooting on automated manufacturing and production equipment.
- Connect directly to PLCs using a laptop and appropriate controls software to diagnose controls-related failures and equipment problems.
- Troubleshoot beyond the HMI level by reviewing PLC logic, inputs and outputs, electrical circuits, devices, and related controls issues.
- Perform PLC backups and support controls-related projects as needed to maintain and improve equipment performance.
- Diagnose and repair issues with HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, industrial networks, instrumentation, safety systems, sensors, relays, and other automated equipment components.
- Conduct root cause analysis on difficult equipment failures and implement effective corrective and preventive actions to avoid repeat issues.
- Work closely with Maintenance Technicians, Leads, Supervisors, Engineering, Production, and Quality to restore equipment operation and minimize production downtime.
- Respond directly to equipment breakdowns on the manufacturing floor and troubleshoot under production pressure while maintaining safety and quality standards.
- Read and interpret electrical schematics, control circuits, PLC logic, and technical documentation to guide troubleshooting and repair activities.
- Support equipment reliability and continuous improvement initiatives by identifying recurring issues and recommending technical solutions.
- Provide coaching and technical guidance to Maintenance Technicians to elevate overall troubleshooting capability within the team.
- Document troubleshooting steps, findings, and solutions in alignment with cGMP and other regulatory or internal requirements.
- Maintain strong focus on equipment uptime, safety, product quality, and compliance while performing all maintenance and troubleshooting tasks.
Essential Skills
- 35+ years of hands-on industrial controls and PLC troubleshooting experience in a manufacturing environment.
- Proven ability to personally connect a laptop directly to a PLC and use controls software to diagnose equipment problems.
- Demonstrated capability to troubleshoot beyond the HMI level by investigating PLC logic, inputs/outputs, electrical circuits, devices, and controls issues.
- Strong electrical troubleshooting skills on automated manufacturing equipment.
- Experience supporting PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, servo systems, industrial networks, instrumentation, and machine safety systems.
- Ability to independently diagnose difficult equipment failures, determine root cause, and return production equipment to operational status.
- Comfort reading and troubleshooting electrical schematics, control circuits, PLC logic, and technical documentation.
- Experience troubleshooting sensors, relays, motors, drives, instrumentation, networking, and automation components.
- Strong independent problem-solving skills and the ability to work without step-by-step direction on complex equipment issues.
- Hands-on manufacturing-floor experience working directly on automated production equipment, not limited to machine operation or basic maintenance.
- Authorization to work in the U.S. without current or future employer sponsorship.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC troubleshooting.
- Working in a regulated manufacturing environment with cGMP or similar standards.
- Formal electrical apprenticeship, technical schooling, controls courses, or PLC certifications.
- Previous involvement in equipment reliability or continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ability to coach and provide technical guidance to other Maintenance Technicians.
- Familiarity with industrial networking, safety systems, and instrumentation.
- Comfort working in a high-uptime, production-driven environment with strong emphasis on safety, quality, and documentation.
Why Work Here?Employees benefit from a direct-hire opportunity with comprehensive, employer-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as company-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance. The organization offers a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions up to 4%, along with paid time off, volunteer time off, and holiday leave to support work-life balance. Team members can also take advantage of gym membership reimbursement and a monthly allowance for wellness-related supplements. This role sits at the highest technical escalation level within the maintenance troubleshooting structure, providing exposure to complex technical challenges and opportunities for ongoing training, professional development, and career growth, even though a defined advancement path for this specific position is not currently established.Work EnvironmentThis is a hands-on, floor-facing manufacturing maintenance role based in a regulated production environment in Summerville, SC. The position is not primarily engineering, programming, or desk-based; instead, it involves working directly on automated manufacturing and production equipment under real-time production conditions. The role requires frequent interaction with Maintenance Technicians, Leads, Supervisors, Engineering, Production, and Quality teams, with a strong emphasis on equipment uptime, safety, product quality, documentation, and cGMP compliance. Candidates should expect to respond directly to breakdowns, troubleshoot under production pressure, and work with a variety of automated systems and industrial controls technologies. The schedule follows an overnight shift from 5:00 PM to 5:30 AM on a rotating 2-2-3 pattern, providing every other weekend off. Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Summerville, SC. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $81120.00 - $85800.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.100% company-paid medical insurance 100% company-paid dental insurance 100% company-paid vision insurance 401(k) with employer match up to 4% Company-paid short-term disability Company-paid long-term disability Company-paid life insurance Paid Time Off (PTO) Paid holidays Volunteer Time Off Gym membership reimbursement Monthly allowance for Thorne supplements Training and professional development opportunities Career growth opportunities Job Type & LocationThis is a Permanent position based out of Summerville, SC. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Summerville,SC.
About Aerotek
Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.
Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.