Automation Technician

Katalyst CRO; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst CRO seeks a Molding or Assembly Automation Technician to maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize molding automation systems in a high-volume manufacturing setting. The role covers robotics, conveyors, sensors, and vision systems, supporting continuous improvement efforts.

You will program and fine-tune robots (Sepro, Fanuc, Yushin, Wittmann) for part handling and packaging, while ensuring safety and documentation. Strong problem-solving skills are essential.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Technical certification or associate's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, or Industrial Automation preferred.
• 25 years of experience in injection molding or assembly machine automation or related field.
• Hands-on experience with robot programming and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and resolve issues with molding or assembly automation systems, including robots, conveyors, sensors, and vision systems.
• Troubleshooting electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical systems.
• Respond to alarms and faults in real-time to minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams to address recurring issues.
• Program and fine-tune molding or assembly machine robots for part handling, degating, and packaging.
• Modify robot paths and sequences to improve cycle time and part quality.
• Maintain backups and documentation of robot programs and settings.
• Perform scheduled maintenance on automation equipment to ensure reliability.
• Replace worn components and calibrate sensors and actuators.
• Maintain detailed logs of maintenance activities and equipment performance.
• Support mold trials and new product launches by setting up automation sequences.
• Recommend and implement improvements to automation layouts and workflows.
• Participate in kaizen events and lean manufacturing initiatives.
• Ensure all automation systems operate within safety guidelines.
• Maintain compliance with ISO, FDA, and GMP standards where applicable.

Skills

Robot programming

Troubleshooting

PLC/HMI

Schematic reading

EOAT maintenance

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Mechatronics/Robotics/Industrial Automation degree

Tools

Sepro

Fanuc

Yushin

Wittmann

Job description

Job Summary

The Molding or Assembly Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing molding automation systems, including robotic equipment and auxiliary devices. This role ensures smooth operation of automated molding processes and supports continuous improvement initiatives in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Job Summary

The Molding or Assembly Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing molding automation systems, including robotic equipment and auxiliary devices. This role ensures smooth operation of automated molding processes and supports continuous improvement initiatives in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

Automation Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and resolve issues with mulding or Assembly automation systems, including robots, conveyors, sensors, and vision systems.
• Troubleshooting electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical
• Respond to alarms and faults in real-time to minimize downtime.
• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams to address recurring issues.

Robot Programming & Optimization

• Program and fine-tune molding or assembly machine robots (e.g., Sepro, Fanuc, Yushin, Wittmann) for part handling, degating, and packaging.
• Modify robot paths and sequences to improve cycle time and part quality.
• Maintain backups and documentation of robot programs and settings.

Preventive & Corrective Maintenance

• Perform scheduled maintenance on automation equipment to ensure reliability.
• Replace worn components and calibrate sensors and actuators.
• Maintain detailed logs of maintenance activities and equipment performance.

Process Support & Continuous Improvement

• Support mold trials and new product launches by setting up automation sequences.
• Recommend and implement improvements to automation layouts and workflows.
• Participate in kaizen events and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all automation systems operate within safety guidelines.
• Maintain compliance with ISO, FDA, and GMP standards where applicable.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Technical certification or associate's degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, or Industrial Automation preferred.
• 25 years of experience in injection molding or assembly machine automation or related field.
• Hands-on experience with robot programming and troubleshooting.

Skills

• Strong understanding of PLCs, HMIs, and industrial sensors.
• Ability to read electrical and mechanical schematics.
• Familiarity with EOAT (End-of-Arm Tooling) design and maintenance.
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.