Automation Controls Reliability Technician

Novolex Corporate•Canandaigua, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Shape the heartbeat of our automated operations At Novolex, we design and manufacture packaging solutions across foodservice, delivery and carryout, food processing, grocery and retail, and industrial markets. Our portfolio spans resin, paper, molded fiber, aluminum and more—120 product categories, 250 brands, and 39,000+ SKUs that customers trust every day. Our sustainability vision rests on three pillars—products, operations, and people. These pillars guide our investments and daily actions as we innovate responsibly and grow. A day in this role You start your shift reviewing last night’s production data and EHS notes. A packaging line flagged a fault—within minutes you’re online with an Allen‑Bradley system, tracing a ladder logic issue and confirming a motor drive parameter drift. You calibrate a sensor bank, coach an electrician through a safe lockout, run PDCA to nail the root cause, and document an as‑built change. Before lunch, you supervise a contractor swap a servo amplifier to beat planned downtime. By day’s end, you’ve improved an HMI screen, updated schematics, and trained operators on a new procedure.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent (required).
Apprenticeship or equivalent formal training (required).
5+ years of industrial maintenance with significant automation/controls focus.
Proficiency with Microsoft applications, Outlook, SAP, and related software.
Working knowledge of OSHA Electrical Standards and the National Electrical Code (NEC).
Exceptional troubleshooting and logical, root-cause thinking.
Self-directed, proactive, and effective with minimal supervision.
Clear written and verbal communication skills.
Decisive under time pressure and tight deadlines.
Collaborative mindset with a team‑first approach.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s degree in maintenance or industrial technology (preferred).

Responsibilities

Champion a zero-incident EHS culture; participate in incident investigations, correct hazards immediately, and turn every near-miss into a learning moment.
Monitor, adjust, calibrate, and repair manufacturing equipment, instruments, fixtures, and related systems.
Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, and motor drives in depth—Allen‑Bradley experience required plus at least one other platform (e.g., Mitsubishi, Schneider, GE, Opto).
Read, edit, and verify PLC ladder diagrams with confidence.
Install and modify electrical/electronic systems, including drive systems and programmable controllers.
Apply strong knowledge of AC vector and servo drive technologies.
Diagnose AC/DC circuitry and electro‑mechanical systems, including sinking/sourcing I/O.
Leverage foundational hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical, and basic PC hardware understanding.
Interpret drawings, wiring diagrams, schematics, and specifications; familiarity with CAD tools (e.g., AutoCad, Vizio).
Stay current on emerging automation and controls methods and standards.
Use PDCA and similar problem‑solving approaches to reach true root cause and implement permanent fixes.
Serve as a high‑level technical resource for the plant’s shift electrician team.
Train team members across functions and skill levels.
Oversee contractors to reduce planned and unplanned downtime.
Maintain technical procedures, manuals, and drawings, and keep accurate as‑built records of equipment and process changes.
Work flexible hours as needed, including potential weekends/holidays and occasional call‑ins.