Automation Technician

Actalent; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

HSA

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Automation Technician to maintain, troubleshoot, validate, and support laboratory automation systems across multiple sites. You will be the first-line automation resource, collaborating with operations, quality, engineering, and external vendors to keep critical equipment running smoothly and drive continuous improvement.

The role requires hands-on experience with robotics, automated liquid handling, and PLC-based controls, and a strong focus on preventive maintenance,

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years in an automation environment.
• Proven ability to maintain and troubleshoot automated equipment in lab or production settings.
• Hands-on experience with robotics, liquid handling systems, and lab instrumentation.
• Experience with PLC programming and diagnostics.
• Familiarity with Allen-Bradley and Siemens systems; capable with HMI interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, calibration, and checks on lab automation systems.
• Troubleshoot hardware, software, instrumentation, and process issues to minimize downtime.
• Support installation, setup, qualification, and validation of new automation platforms.
• Assist with investigations, root cause analyses, and corrective actions.
• Maintain automation systems, liquid handling, robotics, and thermal control devices.
• Configure software, run methods, perform backups, and support programming changes.
• Maintain documentation for maintenance, calibration, validation, and change control.
• Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Operations, and vendors on reliability and issue resolution.
• Monitor performance, identify trends, and propose improvements for efficiency.
• Ensure safety, quality, regulatory, and data integrity compliance in automation.
• Stay current with automation tech and apply improvements across sites.
• Support standardization and deployment of automation solutions across sites.

Skills

Automation systems

Robotics troubleshooting

PLC programming

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

HMI interfaces

Electrical troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Documentation practices

Cross-functional communication

Independent work

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

HMI software

Job description

Job Description

The Automation Technician maintains, troubleshoots, validates, and supports laboratory automation systems to ensure efficient, reliable, and compliant laboratory operations. This role serves as the primary first-line automation support resource and collaborates closely with laboratory operations, quality, engineering, and external vendors to keep critical equipment running smoothly and to drive continuous improvement across multiple laboratory sites.

Job Title

Automation Technician

Job Description

The Automation Technician maintains, troubleshoots, validates, and supports laboratory automation systems to ensure efficient, reliable, and compliant laboratory operations. This role serves as the primary first-line automation support resource and collaborates closely with laboratory operations, quality, engineering, and external vendors to keep critical equipment running smoothly and to drive continuous improvement across multiple laboratory sites.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine inspections, preventive maintenance, calibration, and operational checks on laboratory automation systems to ensure reliable performance.
• Troubleshoot automation hardware, software, instrumentation, and process issues to minimize downtime and maintain consistent laboratory operations.
• Support the installation, setup, qualification, and validation of new automation platforms, equipment upgrades, and associated control systems.
• Assist with technical investigations, root cause analyses, deviation reviews, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions related to automation systems.
• Maintain and support automated liquid handling systems, robotic platforms, thermal control devices, and a wide range of laboratory instrumentation.
• Configure automation software, execute methods, perform system backups, and support approved programming modifications to meet operational needs.
• Maintain accurate and complete documentation for maintenance, calibration, validation, and change control activities in accordance with internal procedures.
• Coordinate with Quality, Engineering, Operations, and external vendors to support equipment reliability, performance, and timely issue resolution.
• Monitor automation system performance, identify trends, and recommend continuous improvement opportunities to enhance efficiency and reliability.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and data integrity requirements in all automation-related activities.
• Stay current with evolving laboratory automation technologies, tools, and best practices and apply them to improve existing systems.
• Support the standardization, deployment, and optimization of automation solutions across multiple laboratory sites.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 3 years of experience supporting an automation environment.
• Proven experience maintaining and troubleshooting automated equipment in a laboratory or production setting.
• Hands-on experience with automation systems, including robotics, automated liquid handling systems, and laboratory instrumentation.
• Automation and PLC programming experience, including diagnostics and troubleshooting.
• Experience with PLC and controls diagnostics, including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and HMI interfaces.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot electro-mechanical systems such as motors, sensors, gearboxes, and pneumatics.
• Experience in troubleshooting and maintaining conveyor systems and filler machines.
• Strong in preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and root cause analysis.
• Robotics troubleshooting and maintenance experience in an automation environment.
• Electrical troubleshooting skills related to automation and control systems.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting abilities to resolve complex automation issues.
• Excellent documentation practices for maintenance, calibration, validation, and change control activities.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail to manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Effective cross-functional communication skills to collaborate with operations, quality, engineering, and vendors.
• Ability to work independently while actively supporting larger cross-functional teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Validation and qualification experience for laboratory automation systems and equipment.
• Knowledge of change control processes and deviation management in a regulated environment.
• Exposure to regulated laboratory environments and associated compliance expectations.
• Familiarity with laboratory automation workflows and sample handling processes.
• Experience supporting validated systems and computerized laboratory equipment.
• Interest in staying current with cutting-edge laboratory automation, robotics, diagnostics, and medical technology.
• Motivation to contribute to technology that advances healthcare and laboratory operations worldwide.
• Commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and accountability.
• Willingness to engage in ongoing technical development, training, and career growth

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Greensboro, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $38.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Greensboro,NC. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and