PLC Programmer

ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automation company in Ontario is seeking a PLC Programmer to join their team. The successful candidate will develop, troubleshoot and document control programs for custom automation equipment. This role involves significant customer interaction, requiring travel to various locations. Candidates should have expertise in PLC programming, preferably with Allen Bradley or Siemens systems, and a commitment to high ethical standards in all business activities.

Benefits

3-6% employee bonus

5% RRSP match

Stock purchase plan

3 weeks of vacation

Health and dental benefits

$600 health spending account

Half-Day Fridays

Continuous learning and career growth opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum of five years in a hands-on automation/control environment.
• Three+ years programming PLC and HMI using Allen Bradley or Siemens.
• Strong understanding of pneumatics and hydraulics.

Responsibilities

• Develop and program software specific to customer requirements.
• Troubleshoot controls and electrical equipment at customer’s facility.
• Travel to domestic and international customer locations.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Strong communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Post-secondary diploma or degree in programming/electrical engineering

Tools

Allen Bradley software

Siemens software

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

ATS Company: Life Sciences Systems

Requisition ID: 15465

Location: Toronto, ON, CA M5K 1H1; Cambridge, ON, CA N3H 4R7

PLC Programmer

The world isn’t standing still, and neither is ATS Life Sciences – We don’t follow the trends. We set them!

Are you interested in being part of a team that makes a difference? Join our growing ATS Life Sciences Systems team, a division of ATS Corporation, a publicly traded global enterprise with a proud history. We help advance the future with our factory‑wide automation solutions. Within Life Sciences Systems, what we do matters – we custom‑design, build and service critical automated solutions for medical device and pharmaceutical companies. We are dedicated to assisting our customers in improving the quality of life for people around the world. When there is no room for error, and product failure is not an option, leading life sciences companies trust us to resolve their production challenges.

What’s in it for you?

• 3‑6% employee bonus (based on individual and divisional performance)
• 5% RRSP match
• Stock purchase plan
• Starting 3 weeks of vacation
• Benefits package (health and dental) + $600 health spending account
• Half‑Day Fridays
• Expand your horizons through travel and global experiences
• Continuous learning and career growth with global mobility opportunities
• A chance to contribute to something bigger – advancing the future of healthcare through automation

Job Description

ROLE SUMMARY: The Field Service Representative (Controls) will be responsible for the design, development, troubleshooting, and documentation of complete control programs for custom automation equipment. Programming of control systems using PLC’s, PC’s, servo drives, robots, and other more specialized controllers is a requirement. Skilled in troubleshooting of electrical controls and mechanical mechanisms. As part of the After‑Sales Service team, the incumbent will often work independently on customer site and will be responsible for organizing, communicating and completing work on time and as planned. This position will be rotated through periods of travel and services work, and periods where integrated into our system build process where they will develop deeper knowledge of specific systems to become subject‑matter experts to support our customers throughout the life cycle of their systems.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and program software (PLC and/or PC based) specific to customer requirements.
• Troubleshoot controls and electrical equipment at the customer’s facility and make the necessary adjustments to bring equipment up to running status.
• Utilize in depth knowledge of ATS technology to recommend efficient and cost effective solutions to customer needs.
• Report, troubleshoot and correct abnormal equipment conditions.
• Organize, communicate and complete work as per the project plan and customer requirements.
• Monitor for and act on opportunities to suggest additional tools or equipment necessary to better operate or maintain customer equipment.
• Travel to both domestic and international customer locations for long and short‑term support.
• Travel is typically 50 to 60%, but there could be periods of higher travel requests during service rotations per year.
• When required, lead on‑site teams in the execution of project plans at customer site.
• Act as a liaison for the on‑site team, ATS Project Management and the customer, ensuring project plans are communicated, and executed as per customer requirements and ATS agreement.
• Coordinate third‑party vendors and assist to resolve technical issues as required.
• Complete detailed Service Report for the services provided on a daily/weekly basis. Ensure customer issues have been resolved through follow‑up communication and project/case closure if required.
• Participate in the rotational on‑call remote support phone, providing 24 hour remote support to our customers when required by the business.
• Ensure that all business activities are performed with the highest ethical standards and in compliance with the ATS Code of Business Conduct.
• During integration into Systems build you’ll be required to perform all duties outlined in our Control Systems Software Designer Job descriptions.
• Required to work both independently at times and as part of a team.
• Required to set an example of company culture with integrity and professional competence while on ATS property, customer site and traveling on ATS business.

Health, Safety and Environmental

• All employees have the responsibility to work in a safe manner and report any health, safety or environmental concern to their manager or supervisor in a timely manner.
• Work in compliance with divisional health, safety and environmental procedures.
• Refrain from removing or altering safety devices or guarding unless hazardous energies are controlled through lockout‑tagout methods.
• Report any unsafe conditions or unsafe acts.
• Report defect in any equipment or protective device.
• Ensure that the required protective equipment is used for the assigned tasks.
• Attend all required health, safety and environmental training.
• Report any accidents/incidents to supervisor.
• Assist in investigating accidents/incidents.
• Refrain from engaging in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct.

Qualifications

Education:

• A post‑secondary diploma or degree specializing in programming/electrical engineering or equivalent. Database/Robot/Vision experience is an asset.

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of experience in a hands‑on automation/control’s environment.
• Three+ years of experience programming Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and Human/Machine Interfaces (HMI) using Allen Bradley or Siemens software.
• Possesses a demonstrated track record of efficiently diagnosing, troubleshooting and correcting malfunctioning automated machinery.
• Possesses strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Displays professionalism and has well‑developed interpersonal skills with the ability to work with all levels of customer and ATS management in a multi‑disciplined engineering environment under pressure.
• An excellent understanding of pneumatics and hydraulics with a basic understanding of electrical and system controls.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word and Excel.

Why you should join our ATS Life Sciences Systems team:

We value our people – the foundation of a great company is having the best team which is why we continuously work to develop, engage, empower and energize our people. The best people want to work with the best team – the best teams are diverse and inclusive.

What we do matters – our Life Sciences projects contribute to improving the lives of people around the world! ATS has made a commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Innovation and problem solving is at our core – our pursuit of continuous improvement in everything we do. Our focus is on building diverse teams, stimulating innovation by challenging conventional thinking, encouraging fresh ideas and promoting creative problem‑solving.

We prioritize internal growth & development – ATS offers endless opportunities for professional growth and development, with a tuition reimbursement program, individual development programs and a commitment to promoting from within. There is space for you to grow your career at ATS.

We offer competitive total rewards – competitive starting salaries, overtime pay eligibility, paid vacation, employee incentive bonus program, comprehensive health and dental benefits including lifestyle spending account, 5% RRSP matching program and optional employee share purchase program.

A place to belong – we celebrate our differences and ensure that all employees have equal opportunities for growth and development. We believe that diversity of thought, background, and experiences is essential for our success and innovation.

ATS is in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA), 2005 and will, upon request, assist those who may require specific accommodations due to a personal disability. We would ask that those who require assistance to notify our offices as soon as possible if accommodation is necessary.