Automation Specialist I

westrockcoffeeinternaljobs; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Westrock Coffee seeks an Automation Specialist to maintain and enhance automation assets across coffee manufacturing lines. You will diagnose, repair, and modify PLCs, HMIs, and control systems to ensure safe, efficient operation with minimal supervision.

The role emphasizes preventive maintenance, equipment upgrades, and collaboration with maintenance teams; a strong background in automation in a plant setting is required.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 2-year vocational education or an Associates degree or 5 years automation experience.
• 3 years Automation experience required.
• 3 years Industrial Maintenance experience required.
• Able to read electrical wiring diagrams, ladder logic, HMIs and PLCs.
• Proficient with Windows-based PCs and basic networking.
• Experience with CMMS such as SAP, Fiix, or similar.
• LOTO and Arc Flash training required.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose, plan, and perform installation, modification, troubleshooting, repair, overhaul, and dismantling of complex manufacturing equipment focusing on control systems, servo drives, motors, VFDs, HMIs, and PLCs.
• Assist with preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on production equipment.
• Modify PLCs and equipment to improve performance for new project needs.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and adjust vision systems.
• Collaborate with Maintenance Technicians to resolve electrical/software faults.
• Support label printers, laser etchers, and related equipment as needed.
• Coordinate with technicians, production, engineering and management to plan automation activities.
• Disseminate information through training, advising, and directing others.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Electrical diagrams

Industrial maintenance

CMMS (SAP/Fiix)

LOTO & Arc Flash

Windows OS basics

Team collaboration

Education

Associates degree in automation or related field

5 years automation experience

Tools

Studio 5000 Logix

Simatic Step 7

Omron

In-Sight Explorer

Rexroth components

PowerFlex 4 / 525

Allen-Bradley VFD training

AutoCAD LT

Adobe Acrobat

Job description

Position Summary

The Automation Specialist will be involved in work of a varied nature with minimal supervision, to maintain automation and controls assets in a condition desired by management and in compliance with industry standards and government regulations. The primary result expected from the Automation Engineering Technician will be to efficiently and safely operate and maintain electrical and electronic components associated with the coffee manufacturing process and control system equipment. This position will report to the Automation Engineering Manager / Maintenance Manager.

Primary responsibilities:

• Diagnose, plan, and perform all operations necessary to install, modify, troubleshoot, repair, overhaul, rebuild, and dismantle various types of complex manufacturing and support equipment with special focus on advanced troubleshooting on control systems, servo drives, motors, gearboxes, VFDs, HMIs, and PLCs on complex high speed packaging lines.
• Assist with preventative, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on manufacturing production equipment.
• Modify automated PLCs, programs, and equipment to improve performance and meet new project needs.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and adjust various vision systems.
• Work with Maintenance Technician team to troubleshoot, repair, and improve machine faults of an electrical/software nature.
• Assist with label printers, laser etchers, and other equipment as needed.
• Coordinate with other technicians, production personnel, engineering, management, & other personnel to communicate & plan automation activities.
• Responsible for disseminating information to other technicians in the form of training, advising, and/or directing.
• Perform other duties as requested by management.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

Minimum Required Qualifications: Will not hire someone unless they have this skillset

• All applicants must have a high school diploma or a GED from an accredited institution
• 2 year of a Vocational Education, Associates Degree in comparable field or 5 years of experience in related automation engineer role
• 3 years of Automation experience required
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in an Industrial Maintenance position is required
• Must be able to read and understand electrical wiring diagram, ladder logic, HMIs, industrial control systems, and PLCs
• Must be able to efficiently use Windows based computers and perform basic networking tasks
• Must have experience utilizing Microsoft Office for E-mail, Word, and Excel
• LOTO and Arc Flash training required
• Experience utilizing CMMS software such as SAP, Fiix, etc required

Preferred Qualifications: Specialized Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Prefer 5 years' experience of manufacturing maintenance in a food grade facility.
• Prefer experience with Studio 5000 Logix, Simatic Step 7, Omron, Rexroth and In-Sight Explorer.
• Prefer experience installing and programming Powerflex 4 and 525 VFDs.
• Knowledge of Data Communications (AS-I, Profibus, Profinet, Ethernet, iOLink, etc.) preferred
• Industrial Electrician certification highly preferred
• Allen Bradley VFD training preferred
• Ability to read and understand complex instructions, prints, flowcharts, timing diagrams, and schematics
• Must have continuous improvement mindset and familiarity with improvement methodologies.
• Ability and willingness to promote and support a positive culture and follow Westrock Coffee values.
• Ability to collaborate with all parts of the operation to achieve goals and objectives.
• Has positive conflict management skills.
• Ability to work independently and with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle multiple tasks
• Able to work in a team environment where honest communication, a positive attitude, engagement, and personal accountability is expected.
• Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook & Visio
• AutoCAD LT
• Adobe Acrobat