Job Title: Class 1A, Controls Technician & Programmer
Department: Engineering and Maintenance
Reports To: Engineering & Maintenance Project Manager
Position Type: Full-time, Regular
Shift: Day, Swing, Night
Location: Watsonville, CA
FLSA Status: Non-exempt, Union
Company Overview
Since 1868, the Martinelli family has been producing award-winning apple juice. Located in the cool California Central Coast, the fertile Pajaro Valley produces the most flavorful apple varieties in the world. Since winning its first gold medal in 1890, Martinelli’s has received more than fifty gold medals for product excellence. Distribution of Martinelli’s Gold Medal® products now extends to every state in the U.S. and globally.
Job Summary
The Controls Technician/Programmer is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing the electrical control systems that support production equipment across the facility, including bottling lines and the filter department. This role provides technical expertise in PLC and HMI systems (primarily Allen-Bradley, as well as Siemens, Omron, and vendor-specific platforms), VFDs, servo drives, motion controls, and SCADA/industrial network systems to ensure reliable and efficient operation of machinery.
The Controls Technician/Programmer will lead controls-related projects, including system modifications, panel adjustments, programming, and HMI interface development. They collaborate closely with engineering, maintenance, and production teams to integrate new or modified control systems seamlessly into existing equipment, driving continuous improvement and automation efficiency.
Key responsibilities include diagnosing hardware and instrumentation issues, performing calibration and functional testing, maintaining accurate digital documentation, and supporting system upgrades to improve equipment performance, reliability, and safety. This position is critical to ensuring optimal operation of automation systems, supporting process improvements, and enabling high-performance production outcomes.
Job Functions
-
Troubleshoot and maintain all production electrical controls related equipment, systems and OT network devices to ensure maximum operational equipment effectiveness OEE.
-
Assist in the proper operation and maintenance of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), etc.
-
Support the research, design, development, and installation of electrical control systems for production equipment and machinery.
-
Contribute to managing projects to ensure they are completed on time, within budget, and meet customer requirements.
-
Help maintain digital documentation of control systems, including programs, modifications, electrical design, schematics, and drawings.
-
Stay updated on control hardware and software obsolescence and assist in necessary updates.
-
Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of automation processes.
-
Support a team of controls and programming technicians/mechanics in their daily tasks.
-
Assist with organizing and participating in training sessions for the control team, maintenance personnel, and operators to ensure proper hardware and software usage.
-
Provide regular updates and reports to senior management on the performance of the controls and programming team, including training progress, project updates, budget status, and any issues or risks.
-
Collaborate with Maintenance Management and Production Supply Planner to help schedule manpower and resources for effective production and maintenance outcomes.
-
Respond promptly to requests or emails from internal and external stakeholders, ensuring alignment of objectives, requirements, and project timelines.
-
Assist other department heads in implementing strategies to improve process efficiency.
-
Follow and help implement policies and procedures to ensure consistent and effective controls and programming practices across the organization.
-
Adhere to Collective Bargaining Agreement, Plant Rules, Code of Safe Work Practices, and other applicable policies.
-
Perform other assigned duties and responsibilities as directed by Management.
Job Qualifications
-
Minimum of five (5) years of experience working with industrial automation technology in a production or manufacturing environment.
-
Proficiency with PLCs, primarily Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, RSLogix, Studio 5000), with working knowledge of Siemens or other vendor systems.
-
Hands-on experience configuring and designing HMI systems, such as Allen-Bradley FactoryTalk View or Wonderware/AVEVA.
-
Strong ability to troubleshoot, diagnose, and resolve complex control system issues, including hardware, software, and communication networks.
-
Familiarity with Vision Systems (Cognex, Keyence) and integration with automation systems.
-
Experience with motion control systems and actuators, including Allen-Bradley Servos, SEW, and Rexroth.
-
Knowledge of VFDs, servo drives, and motion controllers for process and equipment optimization.
-
Basic understanding of SCADA systems, industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, Profibus, DeviceNet, Modbus), and control networks.
-
Awareness of industry standards such as UL and CE for electrical control systems.
-
Strong communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to colleagues across all organizational levels.
-
Collaborative team player who actively participates in problem-solving and supports knowledge sharing within the group.
-
Willingness to contribute to root cause failure analysis investigations and support continuous improvement initiatives.
-
Ability to train maintenance personnel and operators on proper control system usage and troubleshooting.
-
Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize maintenance activities, coordinate resources, and align with production needs.
-
Commitment to following established safety protocols, procedures, and contingency plans to mitigate risks.
-
Capable of performing relevant preventive and corrective maintenance activities on control systems and related electrical equipment.
-
Must meet employment eligibility in the U.S.
-
Be at least 18 years of age.
Education
-
Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (preferred).
Preferred Skills
-
Experience in food manufacturing or agricultural goods processing industry.
-
Bilingual/biliterate in English/Spanish.
Company Standard Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
-
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
-
Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with Company staff and others contacted in the course of work.
-
Ability to assume responsibility and exercise good judgment in making decisions within the scope of authority of the position.
-
Ability to readily adapt to changing priorities and take direction from more than one staff member.
-
Ability to think and work effectively under pressure and accurately complete tasks within established times.
-
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, to prioritize tasks, meet multiple deadlines and ensure that work is accomplished in the time frames required.
-
Ability to be highly organized and provide careful attention to detail and accuracy.
-
Ability to exercise individual initiative and discretion in confidential matters and to respect confidential matters.
Physical Demands and Working Environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
-
Ability to pass a background check, physical, and drug screen.
-
Ability to stand and/or sit in front of and operate a computer for extended periods of time.
-
Ability to bend, lift and carry objects of varying size weighing up to 40 pounds.
-
Expected to be highly familiar with production operations, and to regularly visit all significant Company operations.
-
Work is performed outdoors, production, manufacturing, and warehouse facilities.
All Employees Are Expected To
-
Comply with all Company safety requirements.
-
Adhere to all Company policies and procedures.
Upon meeting eligibility requirements, the Company offers the following: health insurance coverage, 401(k), Union pension, paid sick leave, paid vacation leave, and eight (8) paid holidays per year. Eligible employees may also make 401(k) elective deferral contributions and may elect a co-pay plan for health insurance coverage for eligible dependents.
This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and other duties as assigned.
S. Martinelli & Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, marital status, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.
