Automation Continuous Improvement Technician

Hellerman Tyton•Milwaukee, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Automation Continuous Improvement Technician supports, maintains, validates, troubleshoots, and continuously improves automated manufacturing equipment, with a primary focus on machine vision systems (VDS) and inspection technologies. The role helps ensure that automated systems remain operational, reliable, and capable of meeting safety, quality, and production requirements. Working closely with Automation CI Engineering, Quality, Production, and Maintenance teams, the technician maintains vision system performance, supports validation activities, reduces downtime, improves process capability, and sustains equipment standards. The role contributes to plant objectives for Safety, Quality, Delivery, and Cost and supports the company’s Quality and EHS certifications by following corporate policies, procedures, work instructions, and documentation requirements.

Requirements

Associate degree, technical diploma, or equivalent vocational training in Automation, Mechatronics, Electronics, Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or a related field; alternatively, a minimum of 3–5 years of experience supporting automated manufacturing equipment, machine vision systems, quality inspection systems, or industrial control systems.
Experience troubleshooting automation and manufacturing equipment.
Strong knowledge of industrial machine vision systems and inspection technologies.
Understanding of vision system validation methodologies, including IQ, OQ, and PQ.
Knowledge of cameras, optics, lighting, sensors, and image processing techniques.
Ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and automation-related issues.
Understanding of quality inspection processes and defect detection systems.
Experience with root cause analysis and corrective action methodologies.
Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
Strong organizational and documentation skills.
Effective communication and collaboration skills across multiple departments.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common automation software tools.
Knowledge of continuous improvement methodologies, including Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma principles.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Willingness to travel as required for automation projects, equipment installations, and startup activities.
Commitment to supporting safety, quality, continuous improvement, and COPQ reduction initiatives.
Ability to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, and climb stairs or ladders during installation, troubleshooting, and commissioning.
Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 50 pounds without assistance and heavier items with appropriate lifting equipment or assistance.
Ability to work in confined spaces, on elevated platforms, or in production environments as required.
Ability to distinguish colors for electrical wiring, schematics, indicators, and machine status lights.
Must be willing and able to work weekends and overtime and participate in an on-call rotation as required.
Must have a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Cognex, Keyence, or similar industrial vision platforms.
Experience supporting validation activities and quality systems.
Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma training.
Working knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs.
Experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Monitor, maintain, and troubleshoot machine vision systems, cameras, lighting, sensors, and associated hardware.
Lead and participate in shift VDS Gemba walks to identify improvement opportunities and ensure system performance.
Maintain automated inspection systems to support accuracy, repeatability, and process reliability.
Support Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) validation testing and documentation.
Maintain and update vision system settings, inspection parameters, and validation records.
Identify and resolve machine vision issues affecting quality, throughput, equipment availability, or safety.
Perform root cause analysis on automation-related failures and implement corrective actions.
Support continuous improvement initiatives to reduce scrap, downtime, rework, and Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ).
Assist with deployment, commissioning, startup, and handoff of new vision systems and automation equipment.
Support Production in troubleshooting equipment issues affecting operational performance.
Monitor system performance and make improvements to increase reliability, capability, and efficiency.
Support operator and maintenance training related to vision systems and automated inspection equipment.
Support troubleshooting of PLCs, robots, EOAT, HMIs, sensors, and other automation as required.
Assist with equipment installation, modification, and startup activities.
Participate in kaizen events and continuous improvement projects.
Attend cross-functional meetings to review equipment performance and improvement priorities.
Travel as required to support manufacturing operations or automation projects.
Maintain safe work practices and comply with PPE requirements.