Senior Controls & Automation TechnicianJob DescriptionWe are looking for an experienced controls and automation professional to provide advanced technical support and leadership for automated manufacturing systems throughout the organization.
This position is ideal for someone interested in:
- Leading complex automation troubleshooting and system recovery
- Advanced programming and integration of industrial control systems
- PLC, HMI, robotics, motion, and vision system development
- Optimizing robotic cells and automated workcells
- Supporting material handling, conveyor, and finish line systems
- Controls upgrades, machine modernization, and system standardization
- Equipment commissioning, testing, validation, and startup
- Root-cause analysis and continuous improvement leadership
- Technical documentation, backup strategy, and change control
- Mentoring technicians and advancing manufacturing technology
Advanced experience in controls, automation, robotics, electrical systems, or related manufacturing technologies is required.
POSITION OVERVIEW:- Job Type: Full-time
- Pay: $43-$55+/hr
- Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; hours may vary depending on workload and seasonality
- Your time spent: Approximately 70% providing hands-on support, programming, and optimization for automated manufacturing systems, robotics, and production equipment, and 30% focused on project leadership, controls development, technical documentation, and mentoring.
BENEFITS:- Health insurance
- Dental insurance
- Team Member Life Insurance / Dependent Life Insurance
- Short & Long Term Disability
- 401(k) - 401(k) matching
- Paid Vacation & ESST Time
- Holiday Pay
- Hospital Indemnity, Accident and Critical Illness Insurance
- Minnesota Paid Family & Medical Leave
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:- Leading troubleshooting and repair efforts for complex automation, controls, robotics, and manufacturing system issues.
- Programming, modifying, and optimizing PLCs, HMIs, robots, vision systems, drives, motion controls, and automated equipment.
- Supporting finish lines, material handling systems, conveyors, automated workcells, robotic cells, CNC equipment, and integrated manufacturing systems.
- Leading controls upgrades, machine modernization projects, equipment-level integration, and automation improvement initiatives.
- Diagnosing advanced electrical, communication, sequencing, process-control, and system-integration issues.
- Leading equipment commissioning, testing, validation, startup, and production handoff activities.
- Supporting machine safety systems, industrial networks, servo systems, drives, sensors, and connected automation technologies.
- Performing root-cause analysis and implementing long-term solutions that improve reliability, quality, productivity, maintainability, and safety.
- Developing and maintaining controls standards, program backups, revision records, schematics, network information, and change-control documentation.
- Collaborating with production, maintenance, engineering, IT, vendors, equipment suppliers, and system integrators to support manufacturing operations.
- Mentoring Controls & Automation Technicians and supporting facility maintenance and production needs as required.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR- Advanced knowledge of industrial electrical systems, machine controls, safety systems, drives, servo systems, robotics, vision, motion, and industrial communications.
- Proven experience programming, troubleshooting, integrating, and commissioning PLCs, HMIs, robotics, motion systems, vision systems, and automated manufacturing equipment.
- Ability to apply core controls and automation principles across multiple manufacturers, programming environments, communication protocols, and equipment architectures.
- Ability to read, interpret, develop, and update electrical schematics, control drawings, network documentation, technical specifications, and system standards.
- Strong root-cause analysis and technical decision-making skills with the ability to lead troubleshooting, testing, validation, and system recovery.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor technical personnel and collaborate across production, maintenance, engineering, IT, vendors, equipment suppliers, and system integrators.
- Ability to prioritize multiple projects and production demands while maintaining safety, technical accuracy, documentation, standardization, and change control.
