Automation Engineering Technician Lead - Nights - Sign on Bonus

CooperCompanies • Scottsville, NY

25d • $36 - $49

About The Position

The Automation Engineering Technician Lead sustains site manufacturing processes and leads shift maintenance team members in returning equipment to standard and carrying out preventive maintenance. The role serves as the on-shift escalation path for maintenance personnel and conducts smaller process-improvement projects that support site initiatives.

The position troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains production equipment, including diagnosing complex electrical, mechanical, and controls problems in automated manufacturing cells. It applies PLC knowledge and interprets technical documents to resolve equipment and process issues. The lead supports continuous improvement through focused initiatives, collaboration with vendors, engineers, and other sites, and improvements to automated processes and controls.

The role provides on-shift leadership, training, coaching, and performance support for maintenance personnel, and coaches manufacturing technicians on automated process flows. It ensures timely preventive maintenance and accurate documentation, reviews and updates maintenance procedures and technical drawings, and supports facility-related issues as needed. Work takes place primarily in a clean medical-device manufacturing environment, with some office work and exposure to chemicals or solvents used to maintain automated equipment. Extended hours and mandatory overtime may be required to meet business needs.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of experience resolving and maintaining automated equipment processes, including PLC controls, electrical, mechanical, or related competencies.
• Notable PLC controls experience, including the ability to access PLC content to efficiently resolve process and equipment issues.
• Demonstrated electrical problem-solving abilities, including control systems up to 480 VAC.
• Experience with MS Office.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and comprehension of English.
• Ability to interpret written specifications, schematic drawings, parts lists, prints, and sketches.

Nice To Haves

• Allen Bradley PLC experience is preferred.
• Experience with industrial robots, vision systems, or laser marking.
• Experience adhering to SOPs and regulatory requirements in medical-device manufacturing.
• Machining and fabrication experience.
• Previous leadership responsibilities.
• An associate degree or equivalent technical certification (such as an apprenticeship, military program, or trade school) with 7 years of experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Understand site Key Business Metrics and use them to guide focused improvements.
• Apply statistical problem-solving tools to implement robust solutions that are verified or validated.
• Define, plan, and execute improvement initiatives within site and SOP guidelines, following IQ, OQ, and PQ verification and validation protocols.
• Design and dimension component details to support automated equipment improvements.
• Work with external vendors, site engineers, and other CooperVision sites to improve manufacturing processes.
• Understand and describe automated process flows to facilitate improvements to automated logic control systems.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain production equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve complex electrical, mechanical, and controls issues on automated manufacturing cells.
• Interpret written specifications, schematic drawings, parts lists, prints, and sketches for equipment installation, maintenance, and repair.
• Communicate verbally and in writing with the shift team, management, and support groups.
• Escalate issues to internal and external support groups to minimize lost-time incidents.
• Provide on-shift leadership support to manufacturing maintenance personnel, including training, employee relations, performance reviews, and discipline.
• Provide feedback to the Senior Engineering Manager regarding hiring and termination decisions.
• Identify individual development needs and provide training and coaching, partnering with Human Resources as needed.
• Coach and develop maintenance team members in equipment return-to-standard and preventive maintenance; secondarily, coach manufacturing technicians on automated process flows.
• Ensure shift team members complete preventive maintenance events before due dates and accurately complete related documentation in accordance with SOPs.
• Update electrical and mechanical drawings as needed to maintain accurate prints for manufacturing cells, including electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and mechanical details.
• Periodically review or approve equipment maintenance SOPs and work instructions; coach team members in updating and developing procedures.
• Provide leadership support for facility-related issues during normal working hours to sustain or restore manufacturing-process flow.
• Work extended hours, including mandatory overtime, when business needs require it to complete department goals or tasks.
• Perform other duties as directed by the department manager or shift supervisor.

Benefits

• Eligible candidates receive a $2,000 sign-on bonus, paid as $1,000 after 60 days of employment and $1,000 after 3 months.
• Competitive pay.
• Comprehensive benefits.
• Wellness-focused employee support.
• 15% per-hour shift differential.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree