Automation Technician

Department: Bacon Maintenance Location: Ottumwa

General Description

The Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and optimizing automated equipment in a fast-paced bacon processing facility. This includes food processing equipment, packaging systems, smokehouses, chillers, and automated rail systems to ensure safe and efficient production.

Key Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, install, calibrate, and maintain electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment
• Support conveyors, motors, PLC/PAC systems, VFDs, vision systems, robotics, scales, printers, industrial computers, and high-speed slicing/packaging equipment
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, manuals, and work instructions
• Use diagnostic and calibration tools including digital multimeters and software
• Complete maintenance documentation and support preventive and predictive maintenance programs
• Work with maintenance, production, and management teams to improve equipment reliability and performance
• Follow all safety, food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements

Safety & Compliance

Follow company safety procedures, use required PPE, support HACCP and food safety programs, and maintain compliance with OSHA, NEC, NFPA, and company standards.

Physical & Work Requirements

Work independently, support rotating or fixed shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, hot/cold environments, elevated work areas, and lift up to 50 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required
• 5+ years of manufacturing or food-processing maintenance experience involving electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems
• Strong teamwork and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical training
• Manufacturing troubleshooting experience
• 4+ years of PLC/control system experience
• Familiarity with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider, Beckhoff, and industrial drive systems

Our Company, Your Opportunity:

JBS Prepared Foods is a company with an 80-year history of providing high quality, great tasting sliced meats, bacon, ham and ribs.  JBS Prepared Foods (formerly Swift Prepared Foods and Plumose) was acquired by JBS, the world’s leading provider of beef, chicken and pork, with a vision of building the company into a leader in Protein Centric Prepared Foods.  This is a unique opportunity to be in a start-up environment, with the backing of a Global CPG Powerhouse.  This is a role for someone who is looking for an entrepreneurial challenge in a company with aspirations to be leaders within the CPG world.  The position will have both strategic and tactical elements and the person may wear different hats.  This is an opportunity for people who want to think Big, dream Big and work to make Big ideas a reality.

Our Mission:

To be THE BEST in all we do.  We are completely focused on our business, ensuring the BEST products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our suppliers and profitability for our shareholders.  All this, we do to provide an opportunity for a better future for all of our TEAM MEMBERS.

Our Values:

JBS Prepared Foods offers a full range of benefits including health care, life insurance, and a 401 (K) plan.

JBS Prepared Foods is an equal opportunity employer.

EOE/Vet/Disabled