Instrumentation Controls Technician

About this role

fairlife, LLC is a Chicago-based nutrition company that creates great-tasting, nutrition-rich and dairy products to nourish consumers.

With over $3B in annual retail sales, fairlife’s portfolio of delicious, lactose-free, real dairy products includes: fairlife® ultra-filtered milk; Core Power® High Protein Shakes, a sports nutrition drink to support post-workout recovery; fairlife® nutrition plan™, a nutrition shake to support the journey to better health.

A wholly owned subsidiary of The Coca-Cola company, fairlife, LLC has been recognized by both Fast Company and Nielsen for its industry leading innovation.

To learn more about fairlife and its complete line of products, please visit fairlife.com.

how fairlife Nourishes You

At fairlife, we believe in better — and that includes how we support our people. We offer a comprehensive suite of benefits and well-being resources designed to support you physically, emotionally, socially, and financially, both in and out of work.

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Supplemental health plans (hospital indemnity, accident, and critical illness insurance)

• Paid Time Off to recharge and support work-life balance

• Paid parental leave & adoption assistance (up to $10,000)

• Parental support & family care benefits, including childcare resources and lactation support

• 401(k) to support retirement planning with up to 9% in employer match

• Wellness reimbursement (up to $500 for qualified wellbeing expenses)

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for emotional wellbeing and work-life support

• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability

• Employer HSA funding (for HDHP participants)

• Tuition reimbursement (up to $10,000) and student loan repayment ($200/month)

• Learning & development programs to unlock your full potential

• Rewards & recognition, matching gifts, free product, and Business Resource

About the Role

We are seeking a skilled and dependable Instrument Controls Technician (ICT) to join our milk processing and packaging engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for the installation, calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of instrumentation and control systems that keep our production lines running safely, efficiently, and in full compliance with food safety regulations.

Shift schedule: 12 Hour Nights This is a night shift position, with hours from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The role follows a rotating 2-2-3 schedule: two days on, two days off, three days on, followed by two days off, two days on, and three days off. Team members will work every other weekend, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Key Responsibilities

Instrumentation & Calibration

• Calibrate and maintain field instruments including temperature sensors (RTDs, thermocouples), pressure transmitters, flow meters, level sensors, and pH/conductivity analyzers

• Perform scheduled and corrective calibration using certified test equipment and maintain accurate calibration records

• Inspect, test, and service control valves, actuators, and automated valve assemblies used in processing, CIP, and filling systems

Process Control Systems

• Support and troubleshoot PLC based control systems on the Processing and Packaging lines

• Assist in PID troubleshooting and optimization to maintain critical process parameters (temperature, pressure, flow)

• Perform HMI and SCADA alarm management and support system upgrades

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and repair instrumentation and control failures on filling lines, blow molders, cappers, labelers, and conveyors

• Diagnose and repair VFD, Servo, motor and pump failures

• Respond to production trouble calls and minimize unplanned downtime

• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and quality teams to resolve recurring equipment issues

Food Safety & Sanitary Standards

• Assist with maintaining and verifying critical process recording devices

• Support SIP (sterilize-in-place) and CIP (clean-in-place) system instrumentation integrity

• Participate in internal audits, HACCP reviews, and regulatory inspections

Safety & Compliance

• Follow all LOTO/LOTO procedures, confined space protocols, and permit-to-work systems

• Work safely in wet, cold, and sanitary environments consistent with GMP requirements

• Adhere to OSHA regulations and facility safety programs

Documentation

• Update electrical drawings, P&IDs, and instrument data following any modifications

• Maintain work orders and equipment history in CMMS (e.g., D365)

• Prepare calibration certificates and regulatory compliance records

Qualifications

Required

• 3+ years of experience as an Instrument Technician in a food, beverage, or dairy manufacturing environment

• Proficiency with HART communicators and calibration tools (Fluke, or equivalent)

• Working knowledge of PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and HMI/SCADA platforms

• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, electrical schematics, and instrument data sheets

• Strong troubleshooting skills and ability to work independently under pressure

Preferred

• Associate's degree or technical certification in Instrumentation, Electronics, or Industrial Automation

• Experience with Rockwell Studio 5000, FactoryTalk, Siemens or similar platforms

• Knowledge of CIP/SIP system controls and automated valve sequencing

• Knowledge of communications protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Profinet, AS-i, Modbus )

• NICET certification or equivalent instrumentation training

• Experience supporting regulatory inspections (FDA, USDA, or state dairy authority)

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Standing for extended periods is common along with sitting, kneeling, crouching, bending, reaching, crawling, climbing, grasping, lifting and carrying

• Work performed in processing and packaging areas — exposure to wet, noisy conditions

• Ability to lift to 50 lbs., climb ladders, and work at heights

• Must be able to wear required PPE including Arc…