Automation Technician

SSAB

Mobile (AL)

On-site

USD 42,000 - 64,000

Full time

3 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Bonuses

401(k) with employer match

Paid holidays

Vacation

Excellent benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Profit sharing

Development opportunities

Friendly workplace

Sustainability

Job summary

SSAB is seeking an Automation Technician to maintain, troubleshoot, and improve automation systems including PLCs and HMIs to support plant operations in Mobile, AL. The role emphasizes reducing downtime, reliability, and safety through continuous improvement projects.

Ideal candidates have 2-3 years in industrial automation, PLC programming, motor drives, and instrumentation. Strong problem-solving and collaboration skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent.
2-3 years of industrial automation and PLC programming experience.
Experience with industrial motor drives and instrumentation, control devices, and maintenance systems.
Strong troubleshooting skills with ability to diagnose electrical, automation, and computer-related issues.
Ability to apply sound engineering judgment, critical thinking, and analytical problem-solving.
Ability to learn unfamiliar technologies, equipment, and processes.
Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills.
Effective communication, collaboration, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

Maintain and support equipment, PLCs, HMIs, networks, and control systems.
Design, document, implement, and back up PLC code and HMI applications.
Collaborate to reduce downtime and improve equipment utilization; provide timely maintenance support.
Independently troubleshoot automation, process, and equipment issues and implement corrective actions.
Apply engineering principles to solve complex automation challenges and elevate issues when needed.
Lead or support automation and continuous improvement projects focused on reliability, safety, efficiency, quality, and equipment performance.
Plan and organize automation work for outages, coordinating resources and maintaining spare parts.
Provide technical guidance to maintenance and operations teams, contractors, and project teams.
Develop safe job procedures and lockout revisions with maintenance teams.
Complete required training and attend all meetings.
Align with company goals and policies.

Skills

PLC programming

Troubleshooting

Industrial instrumentation

Motor drives

Electrical control

Project management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical or automation engineering

Tools

Siemens S7 PLC

SCADA/Historian

Industrial Ethernet

Job description

Position Summary

At SSAB, the Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, automation networks, and related control systems. This role supports plant operations by reducing downtime, improving equipment reliability and performance, implementing sustainable corrective actions, and leading or supporting automation and continuous improvement projects. The position works closely with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and project teams to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective automation support.

Main Responsibilities / Essential Functions

Maintain and support department equipment, computer systems, PLCs, HMIs, automation networks, and control systems.
Design, document, implement, and back up PLC code, HMI applications, and automation system changes in accordance with established change notice processes.
Work with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, service companies, and the Automation Manager to reduce downtime, improve equipment utilization, and provide timely, cost-effective maintenance support.
Independently troubleshoot automation, process, and equipment issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Apply engineering principles and sound judgment to solve complex automation challenges, including researching unfamiliar equipment, technologies, and systems; elevate issues when additional expertise is required.
Lead or support automation and continuous improvement projects focused on reliability, safety, efficiency, quality, and equipment performance.
Plan and organize automation work for outages, including coordinating resources and maintaining adequate spare parts and equipment.
Provide technical guidance and support to maintenance and operations team members, contractors, and project teams.
Partner with maintenance teams to develop safe job procedures and lockout revisions.
Complete required training within designated timeframes and attend all required meetings.
Understand and support the company’s goals and values and adhere to company, department, safety, quality, environmental, and ethics policies and procedures.

About You / Qualifications

Required

High school diploma or equivalent.
2-3 years of industrial automation and PLC programming experience.
Experience with industrial motor drives and working knowledge of industrial instrumentation, control devices, and maintenance systems.
Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose electrical, automation, and computer-related issues.
Ability to apply sound engineering judgment, critical thinking, and analytical problem-solving to complex technical problems.
Ability to learn and apply unfamiliar technologies, equipment, and processes.
Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills.
Effective communication, collaboration, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

Preferred

Bachelor’s degree in electrical or automation engineering, computer science, or a closely-related related technical field.
3+ years industrial automation experience.
Heat treating experience.
Siemens S7 PLC experience.
C/C++ experience
Industrial Ethernet networking experience.
SCADA/Historian experience.
VFD and servo drive experience.
Hydraulic and proportional control systems knowledge.
Industrial robot programming experience.
Linux, SQL/database, and PID tuning experience.