Automation Engineering Technician

Milwaukee Tool; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Milwaukee Tool is seeking an Automation Technician to join the Front End Manufacturing Technology Team in Milwaukee. You will support the development, testing, troubleshooting, and deployment of automated work cells, vision systems, sensors, and connected equipment on the shop floor.

Collaborate with engineering, operations, quality, IT, and suppliers to drive line changes, pilots, and project execution while mentoring contractors.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or 5+ years in an industrial automation role.
• Experience with automation, controls, robotics, and vision systems.
• Ability to read electrical, mechanical, and technical documents.

Responsibilities

• Support setup, debug, repair, and improvement of automation, robotics, vision systems, sensors, connected equipment, and automated work cells.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, production, quality, IT, suppliers, and global sites to support line setup, changeovers, pilots, and project execution.
• Own assigned automated equipment and help deliver strong safety, quality, throughput, cost, flexibility, and speed‑to‑market results.
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate automation, engineering, and contractor resources as needed.
• Interpret PLC ladder logic, troubleshoot controls, integrate robots, and support communications, VFDs, motor protection relays, and industrial networks.

Skills

Rockwell controls

CompactLogix PLCs

FactoryTalk HMI

PLC ladder logic

Robotics & vision systems

Data collection & analytics

Education

Associate’s degree

Tools

OPC-UA

MQTT

SQL

Job description

Job Description:

INNOVATE WITHOUT BOUNDARIES! Milwaukee Tool’s Front End Manufacturing Technology Team supports hands‑on development, testing, troubleshooting, and deployment of next‑generation manufacturing technologies for the Hand Tools Business Unit. The Automation Technician role partners with engineering, operations, quality, IT, suppliers, and global sites to turn new ideas into practical shop‑floor solutions across automation, robotics, machine vision, connected equipment, data systems, and emerging AI/ML manufacturing applications.

Manufacturing Process, Automation & Technology Support:

• Support setup, debug, troubleshooting, repair, and improvement of automation, robotics, vision systems, sensors, connected equipment, and automated work cells.
• Collaborate with engineering, maintenance, production, quality, IT, suppliers, and global sites to support line setup, changeovers, pilots, and project execution.
• Own assigned automated equipment and help deliver strong safety, quality, throughput, cost, flexibility, and speed‑to‑market results.
• Lead, mentor, and coordinate automation, engineering, and contractor resources as needed.
• Interpret PLC ladder logic, troubleshoot controls, integrate robots, and support communications, VFDs, motor protection relays, and industrial networks.
• Collect and review machine data from PLCs, HMIs, sensors, robots, vision systems, and connected equipment to support troubleshooting, traceability, and data‑driven decisions.
• Support practical AI/ML and advanced analytics use cases by gathering clean process data, documenting equipment behavior, validating outputs, and translating recommendations into shop‑floor actions.
• Assist with edge devices, barcode/traceability systems, data collection hardware, and equipment connectivity for smart factory applications.
• Build, modify, and test proof‑of‑concept fixtures, tooling, sensors, robot end‑of‑arm tooling, and prototype automation solutions.
• Identify mechanical issues, maintain housekeeping and safety, participate in continuous improvement, and support multiple plants or projects as assigned.
• Controls, Data & Connected Manufacturing Support:
• Proficient with Rockwell controls platforms, including CompactLogix PLCs and FactoryTalk HMI development.
• Able to read and interpret electrical, mechanical, and technical documents; wire control panels to prints, codes, and regulations.
• Strong technical, mathematical, spatial, organizational, reading, and written communication skills.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, robotics, machine vision, sensors, motion control, pneumatics, electrical controls, equipment safety systems, and power tools.
• Familiarity with connected manufacturing concepts such as machine data collection, traceability, dashboards, industrial networking, edge devices, OPC‑UA, MQTT, SQL, APIs, or similar technologies is a plus.
• Interest in AI, machine learning, computer vision, predictive quality, anomaly detection, and advanced analytics for manufacturing applications.
• Demonstrates innovation, adaptability, hands‑on curiosity, and the ability to test concepts, document results, and pivot quickly when needed.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Associate’s degree or 5+ years of experience in a related industrial field.
• Experience supporting automation, controls, robotics, vision systems, connected equipment, manufacturing data collection, or hands‑on advanced manufacturing development.

*Milwaukee Tool is an equal opportunity employer.*