Job Title: Electro-Mechanical Automation Technician

Varsity Spirit•Edwardsville, KS

7d•Onsite

About The Position

This is a skilled position across multiple trades with a dual emphasis on advanced electrical/PLC troubleshooting and general industrial mechanics. The employee will perform highly technical, skilled, and semi-skilled tasks to repair, maintain, and optimize printing presses, high-speed bindery machinery, building infrastructure, and plant equipment. The role requires high technical independence to execute work orders from sketches, electrical schematics, or diagrams.

Requirements

Ability to read and analyze safety rules, complex electrical schematics, operating/maintenance manuals, and governmental regulations.
Ability to write routine status reports and communicate effectively under pressure.
Ability to compute rates, ratios, percentages, and measurements in fractions and decimals to interpret mechanical tolerances and bar graphs.
Strong practical problem-solving skills to handle concrete variables in non-standardized, fast-paced production environments.
Proven ability to perform heavy technical duties with a minimum amount of direct supervision.
One-year certificate from a college or technical school (Mechatronics or Industrial Electronics); or 5+ years of related industrial maintenance experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Regularly required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and use hands to handle or feel components.
Regularly lift/move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift/move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift/move up to 100 pounds with assistance.
Precise close vision, distance vision, color vision (for wiring), peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.
Regular exposure to fast-moving mechanical parts, high risk of electrical shock during live testing, and machinery vibration.
Occasional exposure to high places, chemical fumes, and airborne paper particles.
Moderate to loud industrial environment requiring hearing protection.

Responsibilities

Diagnose, fault-find, and troubleshoot logic issues on plant PLCs (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens) to minimize print line downtime.
Install, test, and maintain electrical conduit, wiring, switching devices, controls, outlets, fixtures, and motors.
Evaluate performance using voltmeters, megohmmeters, temperature sensors, and pressure gauges.
Troubleshoot and replace AC/DC electronic drives, servo motors, relays, and proximity sensors.
Serve as the subject matter expert for plant automation, controls, PLCs, drives, and related systems.
Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Maintenance Technicians and maintenance personnel.
Lead troubleshooting efforts and root cause analysis for complex automation, controls, and equipment reliability issues.
Identify, recommend, and implement improvements to automation systems, maintenance processes, and equipment performance.
Coordinate automation-related projects, system upgrades, equipment modifications, and controls enhancements.
Partner with production and maintenance leadership to improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and system performance.
Troubleshoot mechanical malfunctions on high-speed bindery machinery (folders, cutters, stitchers, binders) and large print presses.
Check, repair, and maintain pneumatic lines, hydraulic cylinders, valves, fans, and vacuum pumps critical for paper handling.
Test and calibrate HVAC controls, plumbing networks, and facility systems.
Perform plant construction, modification, and repair via welding, brazing, and soldering.
Perform strict preventive maintenance schedules to maximize machine lifecycle and prevent peak-season failures.
Maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop and plant floor environment.