Equipment & Automation Engineering Technician

• Job Category Manufacturing
• Employee Type Non-Exempt

The Equipment & Automation Engineering Technician provides hands‑on technical support for automated manufacturing equipment and systems within a low‑volume automotive manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, programming, and optimizing robotics, PLCs, and other automated production equipment to support safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations.

The technician will diagnose and resolve complex equipment issues, performPLCand robot program modifications, support equipment installations and modifications, and work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, vendors, contractors, and other technical teams.

This position requires a strong combination of electrical, mechanical, controls, robotics, and automation skills, with the ability to work independently in a fast‑paced production environment.

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and maintain automated manufacturing equipment, robotics, PLCs, and associated control systems to minimize equipment downtime and support production requirements.
• Program, modify, debug, and optimize robots and PLC-controlled equipment, including end‑of‑arm tooling, tool exchangers, fluid dispensing systems, hemming equipment, MIG welding systems, vision systems, AGVs, AGCs, and other automated manufacturing equipment.
• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, controls, robotics, and automation‑related equipment issues and identify appropriate corrective actions.
• Modify and validate PLC programs, robot programs, equipment parameters, and control settings within established system requirements and engineering standards.
• Support the installation, calibration, commissioning, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance of new and existing automated manufacturing equipment.
• Provide technical input and hands‑on support for equipment installations, modifications, upgrades, and continuous improvement projects.
• Work collaboratively with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Maintenance, Finance, contractors, and vendors to support equipment installation, modification, troubleshooting, and improvement activities.
• Assist with equipment integration and troubleshooting involving peripherals and systems such as welders, controllers, sensors, vision systems, VFDs, servos, tooling, and other automated equipment.
• Support the identification and implementation of equipment improvements intended to increase equipment reliability, safety, quality, throughput, and overall equipment effectiveness.
• Establish and maintain equipment operating parameters, program backups, control‑system documentation, and equipment records.
• Maintain appropriate backups of PLC programs, robot programs, equipment parameters, and other control‑system configurations.
• Prepare equipment operational, troubleshooting, and maintenance reports as required.
• Monitor equipment performance and assist in establishing baseline performance and capability for automated systems.
• Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend corrective actions to improve equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Provide technical guidance, knowledge transfer, and hands‑on support to Maintenance Technicians and other technical personnel.
• Assist with equipment failure investigations, root‑cause analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
• Support equipment FMEA activities and provide technical information related to equipment failure modes, controls, and corrective actions.
• Follow established safety procedures and applicable requirements when working with electrical systems, robotics, automated equipment, and high‑energy manufacturing systems.
• Maintain compliance with applicable quality and environmental management system requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Associate degree or technical degree/certification in Mechanical, Electrical, Robotics, Automation, Mechatronics, Industrial Technology, or a related field; OR completion of a recognized technical…