Automation Equipment Technician

Express Employment Professionals - Cincinnati East; Long Beach (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Unknown company is seeking an Automation Equipment Technician to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain automated manufacturing and assembly equipment. The role involves independent investigation of failures, coordinating repairs, and verifying safe operation before returning equipment to production.

Strong communication skills are required to document repairs and communicate with production, engineering and service providers.

Qualifications

• At least one year hands-on troubleshooting and repair experience.
• Ability to diagnose problems when cause is not immediately known.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, multimeters and basic diagnostic equipment.
• Familiarity with computers, email, and basic office software.

Responsibilities

• Respond to equipment failures and downtime.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and sensor-related problems.
• Determine root cause of malfunctions beyond replacing damaged parts.
• Repair, replace, test and adjust components (sensors, relays, motors, pneumatic systems).
• Use diagnostic tools to test electrical components and circuits.
• Read equipment manuals and wiring/pneumatic diagrams.
• Perform preventive maintenance and calibration.
• Document failures, repairs and recurring problems.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Mechanical aptitude

Written communication

Independent problem solving

Reading manuals/diagrams

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical education considered

Tools

Multimeters

Diagnostic tools

Hand tools

Electrical diagrams

Job description

Our client is seeking an Automation Equipment Technician to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain automated manufacturing and assembly equipment. This is a technical equipment-maintenance position and is not a production assembly position. The technician will independently investigate equipment failures, identify their causes, complete or coordinate repairs, and verify that equipment is operating safely and properly before returning it to production.

Advanced PLC programming experience is not required. However, the successful candidate must have prior hands-on experience diagnosing and repairing machinery, electrical equipment, automotive systems, industrial equipment, appliances, or other comparable mechanical or electromechanical systems.

Strong written and verbal communication skills are also important. The technician must be comfortable using email, documenting repairs, and clearly communicating equipment problems and recommended solutions.

Essential Responsibilities

• Respond to automated equipment failures and production downtime.
• Independently troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and sensor-related problems.
• Determine the root cause of equipment malfunctions rather than only replacing visibly damaged parts.
• Repair, replace, adjust, and test components such as:
  • Proximity and photoelectric sensors
  • Limit switches and relays
  • Motors and motor controls
  • Pneumatic cylinders, valves, and fittings
  • Actuators, conveyors, fixtures, and guarding
  • Wiring, connectors, switches, and power supplies
• Use multimeters and other diagnostic tools to test electrical components and circuits.
• Read and follow equipment manuals, electrical diagrams, pneumatic diagrams, and troubleshooting documentation.
• Perform preventive maintenance, inspections, lubrication, adjustments, and equipment calibration.
• Assist with equipment setup, changeovers, modifications, installation, and commissioning.
• Verify that repaired equipment operates correctly and safely before releasing it back to production.
• Document equipment failures, repairs, replacement parts, and recurring problems.
• Write clear emails and maintenance updates regarding equipment status, repairs, parts, and outside service needs.
• Identify recurring equipment issues and recommend practical improvements.
• Communicate clearly with production employees, engineering, management, equipment manufacturers, and outside service providers.
• Maintain an organized inventory of commonly used maintenance tools and replacement components.
• Follow lockout/tagout and other applicable equipment-safety procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least one year of hands-on experience troubleshooting and repairing machinery, equipment, vehicles, appliances, electrical systems, or other mechanical or electromechanical systems. Equivalent technical education may be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to diagnose a problem when the cause is not immediately known.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to safely use hand tools, power tools, multimeters, and basic diagnostic equipment.
• Basic understanding of mechanical components and electrical wiring.
• Ability to follow technical manuals, diagrams, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Ability to work independently and exercise judgment when investigating equipment failures.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to write clear, professional emails and basic maintenance reports.
• Familiarity with computers, email, and basic office software.
• Ability to clearly explain the cause of a problem, the repair performed, and any additional work required.
• High school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications

The following experience is helpful but not required:

• Industrial or manufacturing equipment maintenance.
• Automated assembly or production machinery.
• Sensors, relays, motors, pneumatic systems, conveyors, or actuators.
• Reading electrical or pneumatic schematics.
• PLCs, HMIs, robotics, VFDs, programming, or software-controlled equipment.
• Technical training in industrial maintenance, mechatronics, automotive repair, electrical systems, machinery repair, or a related field.

Physical and Working Requirements

• Ability to regularly lift and carry equipment, tools, and parts weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to bend, kneel, crouch, climb, reach, and work in and around manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to safely work with small mechanical and electrical components.
• Ability to work on and around operating manufacturing equipment.
• Ability to follow all machinery, electrical, and lockout/tagout safety requirements.

Performance Expectations

Success in this position will be measured primarily by:

• Ability to accurately diagnose equipment failures.
• Quality and reliability of completed repairs.
• Reduction of recurring equipment problems and downtime.
• Completion of preventive maintenance assignments.
• Safe work practices.
• Accuracy and clarity of maintenance records and email communications.
• Ability to independently learn and support unfamiliar equipment.
• Ability to communicate equipment status and technical issues clearly to employees and management.