Automation Technician
About The Position
We operate a custom automated concrete production system consisting of two lines — a fill line that pours molds and a demold line that removes cured product from molds after curing. Each line runs its own HMI and uses a mix of AC and servo motors and controls. We are looking for a hands-on Automation Technician to take ownership of this system: troubleshooting and reprogramming the controls, optimizing line performance, and handling the mechanical upkeep and improvement of the equipment. This is a newly created, high-visibility role for someone who wants to build and own an automation function at a growing manufacturing company, rather than be one of many technicians on a large team. Our control platform is built on Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLCs, PanelView Plus HMIs, and Kollmorgen servo drives/motors, along with FANUC and Epson robots used on the lines. Direct experience with this specific stack is a strong plus and will shorten the ramp-up time considerably.
Requirements
- 2+ years of hands-on experience with industrial automation: PLCs, HMIs, and motor/drive systems (AC and servo). Allen-Bradley (Rockwell) and/or Siemens experience preferred.
- Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial robots (FANUC, Epson, or similar), including teaching points and editing programs. Candidates strong in PLC/servo/HMI work but newer to robotics are still encouraged to apply — see training note below.
- Demonstrated ability to read and troubleshoot ladder logic or similar PLC programming, and make edits confidently.
- Solid mechanical aptitude — comfortable with hand tools, basic fabrication, and diagnosing mechanical (not just electrical) failures.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
- Strong troubleshooting mindset: methodical, calm under pressure, comfortable owning a problem end-to-end.
- Basic understanding of electrical safety practices (lockout/tagout, work on live vs. de-energized equipment).
Nice To Haves
- Direct experience with Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLCs and Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000 programming software.
- Direct experience with Rockwell PanelView Plus HMI configuration (FactoryTalk View Studio).
- Direct experience with Kollmorgen servo drives and motors (e.g., AKD or similar drive families).
- Direct experience programming FANUC and/or Epson robots specifically (teach pendant use, TP/RAPID or similar programming languages, robot-to-PLC I/O integration).
- Experience with servo motion control and drive tuning specifically (not just AC motors/VFDs).
- Experience in precast concrete, batching, or similar heavy manufacturing environments.
- Formal training or certification in industrial electronics, mechatronics, or electrical trades.
- Experience specifying and integrating new sensors, actuators, or third-party equipment into an existing control system.
- Welding/fabrication skills.
Responsibilities
- Troubleshoot faults and downtime on the fill and demold lines, diagnosing issues across Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLCs, PanelView Plus HMIs, Kollmorgen servo drives, and AC motor controls.
- Read, edit, and reprogram existing PLC ladder logic (Studio 5000 / RSLogix) and PanelView Plus HMI screens to fix issues and improve line performance.
- Tune and optimize Kollmorgen servo motion and line sequencing to improve cycle time, repeatability, and product quality.
- Maintain documentation of program changes, I/O lists, and control system architecture as the lines evolve.
- Work with our outside integrator when needed on larger programming projects, and reduce our reliance on them for day-to-day issues over time.
- Program, troubleshoot, and maintain FANUC and Epson robots used on the fill and demold lines, including teaching/adjusting points, paths, and I/O interlocks with the PLC.
- Diagnose and resolve robot faults (servo, motion, tooling, end-of-arm) and coordinate repairs or vendor support when needed.
- Modify robot programs to accommodate new products, mold changes, or process improvements.
- Perform mechanical repairs and preventive maintenance on both lines (conveyors, actuators, mold handling hardware, pneumatics, etc.).
- Specify, source, and install new hardware, sensors, and accessories to add capability or solve recurring problems.
- Fabricate or modify brackets, guarding, and fixtures as needed to support line changes.
- Keep spare-parts inventory organized and flag critical spares before they become a downtime risk.
- Identify recurring failure points and lead root-cause fixes rather than repeated patchwork repairs.
- Recommend and help implement upgrades that improve uptime, throughput, or safety as the company grows.
- Partner with production and management to prioritize automation work against overall business needs.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
