Software Engineering Technician - Manufacturing Automation Software

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories•Pullman, WA

About The Position

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) is hiring a Software Engineering Technician I/II for its Manufacturing Automation Software (MAS) team. The technician serves as the team’s hands-on representative on the production floor, helping build, bring up, support, and optimize automation systems that keep manufacturing production lines running. The role focuses on improving production-team operations, automation, and system robustness and uptime, with the goal of maximizing throughput and eliminating unplanned downtime across manufacturing production and test systems. The position works directly with Production Operators, Process Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers, Test Engineers, and Software Engineers to deliver solutions that meet stakeholder needs. The technician supports mission-critical automation software and data analytics, troubleshoots production-system components, helps operators resolve routine issues, and assists with setup and deployment of automated machines. The role also documents issues and outcomes, improves deployment consistency and reliability, and shares knowledge with engineers and technicians across Manufacturing. The position is available in Pullman, Washington; Nampa, Idaho; or Post Falls, Idaho. Candidates may be considered at the Technician I or II level based on their background. SEL is employee-owned and offers compensation and benefits described in the posting.

Requirements

At least one year of hands-on experience troubleshooting technical equipment, systems, or processes through work, education, military service, or comparable practical experience.
Ability to troubleshoot issues, identify solutions, and determine root causes quickly.
Clear verbal and written communication skills across technical levels.
Ability to document work so others can use the information effectively.
Willingness to follow established procedures and safe work practices.
Ability to establish priorities, work efficiently, stay organized, and follow through.
Comfort asking for guidance or escalating issues.
Disciplined approach to work that minimizes mistakes and supports learning from incidents.
Ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams in a high-throughput production environment.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with high-throughput test automation systems for mission-critical products in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
Ability to travel to other SEL manufacturing sites when necessary.
Understanding of and experience with modern communications protocols.
Proven leadership experience.
Familiarity with installing or maintaining computers, networks, controls, sensors, or other connected equipment.
Experience using logs and measurements to diagnose issues.
Experience maintaining technical documentation or inventory.
Experience with Windows or Linux, scripting, source control, issue tracking, or configuration-management tools such as Ansible.

Responsibilities

Troubleshoot software, services, instruments, networking, and hardware interfaces rapidly and accurately.
Help production operators recover from common equipment and software issues.
Develop clear guides that help operators resolve routine problems independently.
Perform hands-on setup for new automated machines, including assembling physical automation infrastructure and verifying equipment connections and configuration.
Coordinate parts and inventory to ensure installations are ready when needed.
Document evidence and outcomes for reported issues.
Communicate issues to operators and engineers.
Identify opportunities to improve automation reliability and make machine deployments more consistent.
Teach and mentor engineers and technicians throughout Manufacturing.
Build, bring up, support, and optimize infrastructure that automates production systems and collects data for continuous improvement.

Benefits

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
Medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
10 paid holidays.
Annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days.
9 paid sick days.
Paid family and medical leave covering 90% of pay.
STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
Wellness benefits.
Fertility benefits.
Adoption benefits.
Flexible spending benefits.