Automation Technician

Provide advanced technical support for automated manufacturing equipment, robotics, PLC and HMI controls, industrial networks, machine vision, safety systems, electrical controls, and related production processes. The Automation Technician III independently diagnoses complex equipment faults, restores safe operation, supports continuous improvement, and mentors less-experienced technicians.

Responsibilities

Provide daily automation and controls support to production and respond to equipment downtime using safe, structured troubleshooting and documented recovery methods; Connect to PLCs, locate I/O, upload and back up programs, review interlocks, cross-reference tags, and isolate the source of machine faults; Troubleshoot HMIs, sensors, solenoids, relays, contactors, power supplies, I/O cards and blocks, Ethernet switches, industrial networks, scanners, cameras, printers, light curtains, drives, and associated wiring; Perform authorized low-voltage electrical checks using a multimeter; Read and interpret U.S. and European electrical schematics, relay and sensor diagrams, cable pinouts, mechanical drawings, and OEM technical documentation; Perform robot error recovery, verify home and zero positions, back up programs, and make authorized position or sequence adjustments using the teach pendant; Modify approved robot and PLC programs, HMI tags or screens, drive parameters, scanner zones, camera references, and device configurations within training and authorization limits; Troubleshoot automated welding applications, including resistance, GMAW, and projection welding; Perform authorized WeldWatcher adjustments and validate performance after adjustment; Troubleshoot WeldWatcher hardware, sensors, communication connections, and interface conditions, escalating weld-process or quality decisions to Welding Engineering and Quality as required; Back up and restore approved WeldWatcher configurations and maintain traceable documentation of each authorized change; Support communication and network troubleshooting for Remote I/O, Ethernet, DeviceNet, and comparable industrial protocols; Install and replace approved controls hardware, sensors, cables, enclosures, conduit, I/O devices, cameras, scanners, light curtains, drives, and related components; Complete preventive maintenance for automation, robotic, electrical, and weld-process components and recommend PM or spare-parts improvements; Support equipment installation, commissioning, run-at-rate, program backup, controls documentation, and acceptance of new or rebuilt automated equipment; Complete work orders, downtime notes, fault findings, and shift handoff accurately; Coordinate recovery activities with Production, Maintenance, Quality, Tooling, Engineering, IT/OT, and service providers; Follow lockout/tagout, electrical safe-work practices, machine guarding, arc-flash requirements, and approved cell-entry procedures; Train operators and less-experienced technicians on basic error recovery, fault recognition, inspection checks, and standard troubleshooting methods; Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent; Formal training in industrial automation, electrical technology, mechatronics, robotics, controls, industrial maintenance, or a related technical field; Five or more years of industrial automation, controls, robotic, or electrical troubleshooting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; Demonstrated experience with PLC/HMI diagnostics, industrial networks, robots, sensors, drives, safety devices, and low-voltage electrical systems in a production environment; Ability to work assigned shift, overtime, weekends, and emergency call-in coverage as required; Advanced fault isolation across PLC logic, I/O, HMI, networks, sensors, safety circuits, robotics, drives, tooling, and process conditions; Ability to connect to RSLogix 500, RSLogix 5000, and Studio 5000 systems; Working knowledge of structured programming techniques, robot instructional commands, program structure, and safe editing practices; Ability to configure or troubleshoot industrial communications, including Ethernet, Remote I/O, and DeviceNet; Ability to identify, specify, replace, and configure controls hardware; Proficiency with multimeters, hand tools, electrical schematics, mechanical prints, and approved diagnostic software; Working knowledge of machine vision, scanner, safety, drive, and network device diagnostics and backup procedures; Working knowledge of WeldWatcher setup and diagnostics; Computer, math, documentation, and communication skills sufficient for controls backups, maintenance records, parts requests, and cross-functional coordination

Nice to have

Journeyman or equivalent certification; Experience with automated welding or comparable robotic manufacturing processes