Responsibilities- Provide automation and controls support to improve safety, reliability, quality, throughput, and equipment effectiveness.
- Troubleshoot, repair, and improve automated equipment, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, robotics, sensors, actuators, and safety systems.
- Analyze automation downtime and recurring failures; support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
- Coordinate with Maintenance, Production, Quality, Engineering, Safety, IT/OT, vendors, and suppliers to resolve equipment issues.
- Maintain automation standards, control documentation, backups, change control, procedures, checklists, and standard work.
- Support automation improvements and capital projects through installation, commissioning, training, documentation, and turnover.
- Review supplier proposals, technical specifications, drawings, manuals, controls, and system designs for feasibility, safety, cost, and standards alignment.
- Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for automation, controls, electrical, and software-related systems.
- Recommend critical spare parts for automation and controls components.
- Train and support employees on automation troubleshooting, safe work practices, equipment operation, and procedures.
- Report automation metrics, project status, failures, causes, and countermeasures to maintenance and plant leadership.
- Follow company safety, environmental, lockout/tagout, and regulatory requirements; reinforce safe work practices.
- Uphold Nokian mission and values in day-to-day actions.
- Other duties as required.
Skills/Qualifications- Advanced knowledge of automation systems, PLCs, HMIs, drives, robotics, sensors, safety circuits, and industrial networks.
- Ability to troubleshoot complex automation and controls issues in high-speed manufacturing.
- Knowledge of automation standards, electrical schematics, controls documentation, backups, version control, and change management.
- Ability to support root cause analysis, downtime reduction, equipment optimization, and continuous improvement activities.
- Working knowledge of Rockwell, Siemens, WinCC, TIA Portal, HMIs, drives, Fanuc/KUKA robotics, and material alignment systems preferred.
- Strong project support skills for installation, commissioning, validation, documentation, training, and turnover.
- Ability to communicate effectively with operations, maintenance, engineering, leadership, suppliers, and global stakeholders.
- Knowledge of OSHA, electrical safety, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, confined space, and safe troubleshooting practices.
- Demonstrates sound judgment, urgency, organization, integrity, teamwork, and effectiveness in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Requirements- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institute of higher learning in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or other relevant technical field, plus 3 years of practical experience in automation, controls, engineering, or industrial maintenance within a manufacturing environment. Equivalent technical experience may be considered.
- Demonstrated experience with equipment controls, PLC programming, HMI systems, drives, robotic systems, and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Knowledge of production processes, quality control concepts, preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement methods.
- Prior experience in a highly automated manufacturing environment required; tire or rubber manufacturing experience preferred.
- Must be available to work overtime, weekends, shutdowns, and respond to urgent equipment or automation issues when needed.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position will not offer visa sponsorship.
Physical Requirements and Demands- The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required to perform the essential functions of this position. These requirements are job-related and consistent with business necessity. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
- When present in designated production areas, employees are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety-toe shoes, safety glasses with side shields, hearing protection, and other PPE as defined by risk assessments or site policy.
- Ability to move throughout office and manufacturing environments, including walking, standing, and occasionally ascending and descending stairs or work platforms.
- Ability to occasionally traverse varied walking surfaces, including concrete floors, grated platforms, and industrial stairways.
- Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.
- Ability to use hands and fingers for computer keyboarding, writing, handling documents, and operating standard office equipment.
- Ability to occasionally lift and/or move items such as files, laptops, or materials up to 20 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to inspect equipment, processes, and work areas to identify hazards, non-conformances, or deviations, and to recognize safety signals, alarms, and changing conditions in the work environment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Ability to effectively receive, understand, and communicate work instructions, technical information, and safety-related information through appropriate means, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Work Environment- This position is primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility and requires routine presence in production areas.
- While in production areas, employees may be exposed to noise, moving machinery, industrial vehicles (e.g., forklifts), and other typical manufacturing hazards.
- Temperatures in production areas may vary seasonally and may range from approximately 65-100°F.
- Raw materials used in the manufacturing process may include oils, rubber compounds, carbon black, and other industrial materials. Employees may encounter industrial odors or airborne particulates typical of a manufacturing environment.
Benefits- Medical, dental, and vision insurance day one
- 401(k) eligible after one month
- 401(k) matching 100% on first 6%
- Short-term incentive plan
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discounts
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- Paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- Tuition reimbursement
- Onsite fitness facility
- Wellness benefits
- Career advancement opportunities
This description reflects management's assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
