Automation Controls Technician (PLC)

ZT Systems•Secaucus, NJ

About The Position

The Automation Controls Technician (PLC) serves the Advanced Automation Infrastructure team and is on the front line of ZT Systems' automated assembly operations, keeping the controls behind our equipment running reliably. You’ll troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, sensors, I/O, networks, and safety systems, serving as the first responder when automation stops and helping drive improvements that keep production moving. This is an opportunity to build hands-on expertise at the center of next-generation manufacturing for one of the industry's leading hyperscale system integrators.

Requirements

A minimum of a trade school certification in a technical field and 6+ years of practical experience in an automated manufacturing environment.
Deep expertise in industrial automation controls, including PLCs, HMIs, I/O systems, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and SMEMA machine sequencing.
Proven ability to troubleshoot complex controls failures from the field device through the PLC, network, HMI, and machine sequence without relying solely on OEM support.
Strong experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, control panel drawings, I/O lists, PLC logic, network architecture, and machine documentation.
Experience with PLC programming (Festo / CodeSys / Structured Text), HMI configuration, controls integration, industrial Ethernet, sensors, and safety systems in an automated manufacturing environment.
Ability to establish and maintain controlled PLC/HMI backups, configuration records, software versions, and machine recovery documentation.
Demonstrated ability to perform root-cause analysis on recurring controls failures and implement improvements that increase equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
Strong technical judgment and change-control discipline, with the ability to make repairs independently while recognizing when an issue requires engineering, OEM, or system-integrator escalation.
Experience with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Excel, and Word).
Strong verbal and written communications skills.

Responsibilities

Serve as the owner for PLC, HMI, electrical controls, sensors, I/O, and automation networks supporting production equipment.
Troubleshoot complex controls issues across the field device, I/O, PLC logic, network, HMI, and machine sequence to rapidly restore equipment.
Maintain controlled PLC/HMI programs, configurations, backups, network documentation, and machine recovery files for automated equipment.
Develop and execute a critical controls spare parts strategy and preventive maintenance program based on equipment criticality and downtime exposure.
Partner with OEMs, system integrators, and engineering teams to resolve complex controls issues, implement system improvements, and eliminate recurring failures.
Analyze controls-related downtime and failure data to identify root causes, reliability improvements, and opportunities to improve automation performance.
Crosstrain and provide backup support for the automated mechanical systems to build team-wide knowledge and eliminate single points of knowledge.

Benefits

Competitive base salary
Performance-based annual bonus eligibility
401(k) retirement savings plan
Tuition reimbursement for eligible education programs
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers
Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs
Company-paid life and disability insurance
Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays
Parental leave and family care support programs
Structured training programs and on-the-job learning opportunities
Matching gifts and volunteer programs to support causes you care about