Automation Service Technician

Dart Container; Michigan; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Tuition assistance

Product discounts

Job summary

Dart Container is seeking an Automation Service Technician to travel to US manufacturing plants, assemble, install, and troubleshoot equipment, and improve manufacturing processes. You will work with engineers to document solutions and ensure safety and quality standards are met.

The role requires hands-on skills with electrical/mechanical systems, reading schematics, and knowledge of PLC/HMI programming. Domestic/international travel is expected, with a strong emphasis on safety and

Qualifications

• Requires 3 years automation or electrical/mechanical experience or a suitable associate degree with 3 years.
• Familiar with electrical safety standards and hazard protection.
• Proficient with hand tools, testing equipment, and machine shop tools.
• Experience reading blueprints, schematics, and wire lists.
• Knowledge of PLC/HMI and controls software is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide service and support to production facilities for startups and goals.
• Assemble, install, test, and troubleshoot moderately complex equipment.
• Identify failure trends and implement process improvements.
• Read drawings and test electrical and mechanical systems.
• Develop SOPs and document procedures for equipment processes.
• Mentor junior technicians and collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Skills

Electrical skills

Mechanical skills

Troubleshooting

Reading schematics

PLC/HMI knowledge

Hand tools

Safety awareness

Travel readiness

Education

Associate degree in automation/electrical/mechanical

High school diploma with experience

Tools

Test equipment

Welding (MIG/TIG)

Drill press/lathe/mill

Job description

Career Opportunities: Automation Service Technician (127484)

Requisition ID127484-Posted09/09/2026-MI-Mason

If you are someone who likes to travel this role is for you! You will be responsible for assembly, disassembly and testing of equipment, acquiring and fabricating machine parts, and installing and troubleshooting equipment in our manufacturing plants across the US. These efforts are focused on implementing or improving processes and procedures for the manufacture of finished goods or prototypes.

Day-to-Day Role:

• Provide service and support to production facilities to help maintain production startups and corporate service goals
• Act as a subject matter expert regarding equipment and process commissioned in production facilities
• Assemble, disassemble, install, set-up, operate, test and troubleshoot moderately complex equipment and control systems
• Identify machine failure trends and work with engineers and designers to develop, document and implement solutions that improve the throughput of finished goods manufacturing
• Read and interpret drawings, schematics, wire lists, bills of material, and various technical manuals
• Troubleshoot and repair moderately complex electrical and mechanical equipment, electronic controls, and systems including non-routine issues
• Perform modifications and retrofits to existing electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment
• Develop knowledge ofautomated production equipment, electrical and hardware schematics,Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) ladder logic, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and controls software
• Recommend preventative maintenance requirements
• Provide technical support to production plants and Engineering to achieve improvements in cycle-time, yield, unit cost, quality, safety and compliance of production and operations processes
• Collaborate with production personnel and other departments to gather information, draft reports, and improve equipment, processes, and products
• Recommend continuous improvement plans where efficiency, quality, safety, or service can be improved
• Identify and initiate Engineering Change Orders (ECOs)
• Order parts for new installation or replacement
• Develop and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for equipment processes
• Operate power and manual hand tools
• Mentor and train lower-level technicians and other team members
• Work with minimal supervision and with limited documentation
• Maintain and clean work area
• Promote good employee relations and high morale
• Demonstrate teamwork and respect by working constructively with co-workers and customers to achieve the best results possible
• Follow all safety rules and procedures to ensure a safe working environment
• All other duties assigned by the supervisor or department manager

Core Skills and Qualifications:
The ideal candidate must possess all of the following:

• Requires one of the following:
  • Associate’s degree with an emphasis in automation, electrical, or mechanical program and three (3) years of automation or electrical and mechanical experience, OR
  • High school diploma or equivalent and five (5) years of automation or electrical and mechanical experience
• Familiar with electrical and safety standards
• Ability to understand, identify, and protect against electrical hazards
• Proficiency in using powered and manual hand tools such as soldering iron, multimeter,wrench, hammer, screwdriver, etc.
• Prior experience using testing equipment
• Experience working with machine shop tools such as a drill press, grinder, mill and lathe
• Working knowledge of MIG and TIG welding
• Prior experience troubleshooting and repairing production tooling and equipment and testing equipment
• Ability to solve basic algebraic equations and electrical formulas, and understand decimals and fractions
• Experiencereading and understanding blueprints or drawings including, but not limited to manuals, catalogues, schematics, prints or wire lists
• Experience understandingautomated production equipment, electrical and hardware schematics,Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) ladder logic, Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and controls software
• Understanding of production processes, quality control, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture of products
• Working knowledge of pneumatics and electrical wiring
• Ability to understand production processes, quality control, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture of products
• Excellent verbal and written skills necessary in order to communicate intricate job-related processes
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to obtain and maintain a fork truck license

Other Requirements

• Up to 100% domestic and international travel. At times, critical business needs may require more travel.
• Overtime has been pre-approved for up to 12 hours a day in our plants
• Requires a valid driver's license and favourable motor vehicle report upon hire
• Requires the ability to obtain a set of personal hand tools, including but not limited to wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, etc.
• A portion of work is performed in a production facility
• Exposure to extreme heat, loud noise, dirt, dust, odors, and fumes is probable
• Required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) in required areas
• Must follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
• Regularly exposed to moving mechanical parts
• Frequently push, pull, walk, sit, stand, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and work overhead
• Use fine motor skills to operate hand and power tools
• Frequently lift, carry and/or move at least 50 pounds
• Frequently use visual and color acuity
• May be required to ascend and descend ladders

Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. We're a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we're proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.

Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.

Dart Container is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.

*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.

Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at(800) 545-3278Ext 3370 or email us [e-mail] calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.

If you experience difficultyapplyingonline, you may call [phone] Ext 3390 or email us at [e-mail] for assistance.