PLC Programmer / Automation Controls Specialist

Job description:

PLC Programmer / Automation Controls Specialist

Food and Beverage Process Automation

Greater Toronto Area | Home Based and Customer Sites

$90,000 to $115,000 plus benefits

The Company

Kellow Recruiting is partnering with a Canadian leader in process engineering and industrial automation.

Since the 1990s, this company has built an outstanding reputation by helping Canada’s most recognized food, beverage, and dairy manufacturers improve and automate their production processes. Today, they have a strong core team of process designers, engineers, electrical specialists, and automation experts who combine deep industry knowledge with practical implementation experience.

Their strength is their ability to support the entire automation journey:

Consultation → Process Design → 2D and 3D Modelling → Mechanical and Electrical Engineering → PLC and HMI Programming → Systems Integration → Commissioning → Optimization

They do not simply provide engineering resources or produce a design and walk away. They work alongside their customers to design, build, integrate, and optimize production systems that perform reliably in active manufacturing environments.

Where You Fit

Every project begins with understanding the customer’s production process. The design team develops the process flow, equipment layout, and physical system. You will then interpret that design and develop the controls that tell the equipment what to do.

From PLC and HMI programming through integration, commissioning, and optimization, you will help transform a process design into a fully functioning automated production system.

This is a hands on, customer facing position. You will work primarily at manufacturing sites across the GTA, collaborating with customers, process designers, electricians, engineers, and project team members while representing the company professionally.

How You Will Make It Work

• Program the system: Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs for automated processing and production equipment.
• Bring everything together: Integrate PLC controls with drives, motors, valves, sensors, relays, instrumentation, and other production equipment.
• Turn the design into reality: Interpret process designs, electrical drawings, and operating requirements while supporting installation, testing, commissioning, and startup.
• Partner with the customer: Work directly with operators, maintenance teams, electricians, engineers, and customer representatives to solve problems and improve performance.
• Own the outcome: Work independently, document changes, manage priorities, and see assignments through to successful operation.

What We Need From You as a Starting Point

• Experience: At least five years of hands on PLC programming, industrial automation, controls, commissioning, or systems integration experience.
• Technical proficiency: Strong experience with Rockwell Automation or Allen Bradley PLCs and HMIs, supported by practical knowledge of electrical controls, VFDs, motors, relays, sensors, valves, instrumentation, and industrial networks.
• The right mindset: An entrepreneurial spirit and the confidence to work independently, take ownership, solve problems, and communicate effectively with customers and colleagues.

Experience in food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, packaging, or process manufacturing would be a strong asset. You will also need a valid driver’s licence, reliable transportation, and flexibility to support customer sites across the GTA, including variable hours during critical commissioning and startup periods.

What You Will Get Out of This

This is an opportunity to expand your expertise beyond programming alone. You will participate in the complete automation lifecycle and see how process design, electrical controls, mechanical systems, programming, integration, and commissioning come together.

You will learn from an established team of experienced technical professionals, contribute to sophisticated automation projects, and work inside the facilities of some of Canada’s largest and most respected food and beverage manufacturers.

For someone with approximately five to ten years of experience who wants greater exposure, stronger technical depth, and the opportunity to become a trusted automation specialist, this represents a meaningful next step.

In Return

• Competitive salary of $90,000 to $115,000, based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Exposure to complex and meaningful automation projects
• Direct access to experienced process, electrical, mechanical, and automation professionals
• An established company with a lean, family oriented culture where people work hard, support one another, and take pride in delivering exceptional results

If you are an experienced PLC Programmer, Controls Specialist, Automation Technologist, or Automation Engineer who wants to broaden your expertise and see your work operate in a live production environment, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you.