Automation Controls Technician

ZT Group Intl; Secaucus (NJ); On-site; USD 40,000 - 57,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Paid time off

401k match

Tuition reimbursement

Wellbeing resources

Job summary

ZT Systems is seeking an Automation Controls Technician to join the Advanced Automation Infrastructure team. You will troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, I/O, sensors, and networks, acting as the first responder to keep automated manufacturing running smoothly.

You will develop preventive maintenance programs, back up critical software and configurations, and collaborate with OEMs and engineering to implement system improvements. Strong field experience and problem-solving are essential.

Qualifications

• A minimum of a trade school certification in a technical field.
• 6+ years of practical experience in automated manufacturing.
• Expertise in industrial automation controls including PLCs, HMIs, I/O, sensors, networks, and SMEMA sequencing.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex controls from field device to PLC, network, and machine sequence without relying on OEM support.
• Reading electrical schematics, control panel drawings, I/O lists, PLC logic, networks, and machine documentation.
• Experience with PLC programming (Festo / CodeSys / Structured Text) and HMI configuration.
• Experience with industrial Ethernet, sensors, and safety systems.
• Maintain PLC/HMI backups, configurations, and machine recovery docs.
• Root-cause analysis to improve reliability and reduce downtime.
• Strong judgment and change-control discipline; escalations when needed.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Owner for PLC, HMI, electrical controls, sensors, I/O, and automation networks.
• Troubleshoot complex controls issues across field devices, PLCs, networks, HMIs, and machine sequences.
• Maintain and backup PLC/HMI programs, configurations, and recovery files.
• Develop a spare parts strategy and preventive maintenance program.
• Collaborate with OEMs, system integrators, and engineering teams to resolve issues and implement improvements.
• Analyze downtime data to identify root causes and reliability improvements.
• Crosstrain and provide backup for automated mechanical systems to share knowledge.

Education

Trade school certification

Tools

Festo

CodeSys

Structured Text

Industrial Ethernet

Job description

About the role:

The Automation Controls Technician (PLC) serves the Advanced Automation Infrastructure team and is on the front line of ZT Systems' automated assembly operations, keeping the controls behind our equipment running reliably. You'll troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, sensors, I/O, networks, and safety systems, serving as the first responder when automation stops and helping drive improvements that keep production moving. This is an opportunity to build hands‑on expertise at the center of next‑generation manufacturing for one of the industry's leading hyperscale system integrators.

What you'll do:

• Serve as the owner for PLC, HMI, electrical controls, sensors, I/O, and automation networks supporting production equipment.
• Troubleshoot complex controls issues across the field device, I/O, PLC logic, network, HMI, and machine sequence to rapidly restore equipment.
• Maintain controlled PLC/HMI programs, configurations, backups, network documentation, and machine recovery files for automated equipment.
• Develop and execute a critical controls spare parts strategy and preventive maintenance program based on equipment criticality and downtime exposure.
• Partner with OEMs, system integrators, and engineering teams to resolve complex controls issues, implement system improvements, and eliminate recurring failures.
• Analyze controls‑related downtime and failure data to identify root causes, reliability improvements, and opportunities to improve automation performance.
• Crosstrain and provide backup support for the automated mechanical systems to build team‑wide knowledge and eliminate single points of knowledge.

What you bring:

• A minimum of a trade school certification in a technical field and 6+ years of practical experience in an automated manufacturing environment.
• Deep expertise in industrial automation controls, including PLCs, HMIs, I/O systems, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and SMEMA machine sequencing.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot complex controls failures from the field device through the PLC, network, HMI, and machine sequence without relying solely on OEM support.
• Strong experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, control panel drawings, I/O lists, PLC logic, network architecture, and machine documentation.
• Experience with PLC programming (Festo / CodeSys / Structured Text), HMI configuration, controls integration, industrial Ethernet, sensors, and safety systems in an automated manufacturing environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain controlled PLC/HMI backups, configuration records, software versions, and machine recovery documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to perform root‑cause analysis on recurring controls failures and implement improvements that increase equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
• Strong technical judgment and change‑control discipline, with the ability to make repairs independently while recognizing when an issue requires engineering, OEM, or system‑integrator escalation.
• Experience with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Excel, and Word).
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.

SALARY & BENEFITS

ZT Systems assesses market data to ensure a competitive compensation package is created for all our employees. The typical base salary for this position is expected to be $35 hourly . If hired, the final base salary will be determined on an individual basis taking into consideration experience, skills, knowledge, education and/or certifications.

Base salary is just one component of ZT Systems total rewards philosophy. We take pride in offering a wide range of benefits and perks that appeal to the variety of needs across our diverse employee base. Other rewards may include bonus, paid time off, generous 401k match, tuition reimbursement, wellbeing resources, and more.

About ZT Systems

At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, you'll get to do work you are proud of alongside smart, passionate people. Every day, there are opportunities to collaborate with the best in the industry to design, build, and deliver impactful solutions to world‑class customers. Along the way, you will gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced environment that's challenging, rewarding, and career‑defining.

A culture built around our values we work hard and think fast. We view challenges as opportunities‑to do better, push harder, and be faster than we were the day before. When we fail, we learn from it and move on together. And when we succeed, we use the momentum to go even further. We create value with everything we do, building the foundation of today‑and transforming the future of tomorrow.

Join ZT Systems and help us build technology infrastructure that connects the world.