Automation Controls Technician (PLC)

ZT Group Intl, Inc. dba ZT Systems; Secaucus (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement savings plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

ZT Systems in Secaucus, NJ seeks an Automation Controls Technician to support the Advanced Automation Infrastructure team. You’ll troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, sensors, I/O, networks, and safety systems to keep automated assembly lines running.

With a minimum of a trade school certification and 6+ years in manufacturing, you’ll own PLC/HMI programs, maintenance planning, and downtime analysis, collaborating with OEMs and engineers to drive reliability and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Trade school certification in a technical field and 6+ years in automated manufacturing.
• Deep expertise in PLCs, HMIs, I/O, sensors, safety circuits, networks and SMEMA sequencing.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex controls failures across field device to PLC/network/HMI.

Responsibilities

• Own PLC, HMI, electrical controls, sensors, I/O and automation networks for production equipment.
• Troubleshoot complex controls issues to rapidly restore equipment.
• Maintain PLC/HMI programs, backups, and machine recovery files.
• Develop preventive maintenance and spare parts strategy based on downtime exposure.
• Collaborate with OEMs, system integrators, and engineering teams to implement improvements.
• Analyze downtime data to identify root causes and reliability improvements.

Skills

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Root-cause analysis

Documentation & reports

Education

Trade school certification in a technical field

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.

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.

What We Offer

At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, we believe that investing in our people is key to our continued growth and innovation. When you join our team, you’ll gain access to a comprehensive and inclusive benefits package designed to support your well‑being, financial security, and professional development—both now and in the future.

Benefits

Compensation & Financial Security -Competitive base salary -Performance-based annual bonus eligibility -401(k) retirement savings plan -Tuition reimbursement for eligible education programs

Health & Wellness -Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers -Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs- -Company-paid life and disability insurance

Time Away & Work-Life Balance -Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays -Parental leave and family care support programs

Growth & Purpose -Structured training programs and on-the-job learning opportunities -Matching gifts and volunteer programs to support causes you care about

These benefits are available to eligible employees and are designed to grow with you as your career evolves. Full benefits and eligibility varies by work location. Learn more about our benefits here.

Equal Opportunity

ZT Group Int’l. is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. ZT Systems provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Please be aware that certain positions may require the applicant to either 1) be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or 2) be eligible to obtain an export control license or license exception from the Bureau of Industry and Science & U.S. Department of Commerce. All offers of employment will be conditional subject to the foregoing.

Additional Information

ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company is a place where you can do work you’re proud of alongside smart, passionate people who get genuinely excited about what they’re able to accomplish here. We work, learn, and grow together in a supportive and fast‑moving environment where decisiveness and action are not only encouraged, but expected. Together, we’re tackling complex challenges and creating impactful solutions in one of the world’s most high‑demand industries—that’s where you come in.

Learn more at www.ztsystems.com