Automation Technician

EZ-CRETE LLC; Swanzey (NH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

EZ-CRETE LLC is hiring an Automation Technician to own the automated concrete production system. You will troubleshoot and reprogram controls, optimize line performance, and manage mechanical upkeep. The role emphasizes building an in-house automation function in a growing precast concrete operation.

Candidates should bring hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley, PanelView Plus, Kollmorgen servo drives, and FANUC/Epson robots, with a track record in reducing downtime and improving throughput.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of hands-on automation experience (PLCs, HMIs, motor/drive systems).
• Experience reading/troubleshooting ladder logic and editing PLC programs.
• Robotics experience with FANUC, Epson, or similar is valued.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to read schematics/drawings.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot faults on fill and demold lines and diagnose issues across PLCs, HMIs, and servo drives.
• Read, edit, and reprogram ladder logic and HMI screens to improve line performance.
• Tune Kollmorgen servo motion and line sequencing to improve cycle time and quality.
• Maintain documentation of program changes and control architecture.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC/HMI troubleshooting

Robot programming

Tools

Allen-Bradley

PanelView Plus

Kollmorgen

FANUC & Epson robots

Job description

We operate a custom automated concrete production system consisting of two lines - a fill line that pours molds and a demold line that removes cured product from molds after curing. Each line runs its own HMI and uses a mix of AC and servo motors and controls.

We are looking for a hands-on Automation Technician to take ownership of this system: troubleshooting and reprogramming the controls, optimizing line performance, and handling the mechanical upkeep and improvement of the equipment. This is a newly created, high-visibility role for someone who wants to build and own an automation function at a growing manufacturing company, rather than be one of many technicians on a large team.

Our control platform is built on Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLCs, PanelView Plus HMIs, and Kollmorgen servo drives/motors, along with FANUC and Epson robots used on the lines. Direct experience with this specific stack is a strong plus and will shorten the ramp-up time considerably.

What You'll Do

Controls & Programming

• Troubleshoot faults and downtime on the fill and demold lines, diagnosing issues across Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLCs, PanelView Plus HMIs, Kollmorgen servo drives, and AC motor controls.
• Read, edit, and reprogram existing PLC ladder logic (Studio 5000 / RSLogix) and PanelView Plus HMI screens to fix issues and improve line performance.
• Tune and optimize Kollmorgen servo motion and line sequencing to improve cycle time, repeatability, and product quality.
• Maintain documentation of program changes, I/O lists, and control system architecture as the lines evolve.
• Work with our outside integrator when needed on larger programming projects, and reduce our reliance on them for day-to-day issues over time.

Robotics

• Program, troubleshoot, and maintain FANUC and Epson robots used on the fill and demold lines, including teaching/adjusting points, paths, and I/O interlocks with the PLC.
• Diagnose and resolve robot faults (servo, motion, tooling, end-of-arm) and coordinate repairs or vendor support when needed.
• Modify robot programs to accommodate new products, mold changes, or process improvements.

Mechanical & Maintenance

• Perform mechanical repairs and preventive maintenance on both lines (conveyors, actuators, mold handling hardware, pneumatics, etc.).
• Specify, source, and install new hardware, sensors, and accessories to add capability or solve recurring problems.
• Fabricate or modify brackets, guarding, and fixtures as needed to support line changes.
• Keep spare-parts inventory organized and flag critical spares before they become a downtime risk.
• Identify recurring failure points and lead root-cause fixes rather than repeated patchwork repairs.
• Recommend and help implement upgrades that improve uptime, throughput, or safety as the company grows.
• Partner with production and management to prioritize automation work against overall business needs.

What We're Looking For

Required

• 2+ years of hands-on experience with industrial automation: PLCs, HMIs, and motor/drive systems (AC and servo). Allen-Bradley (Rockwell) and/or Siemens experience preferred.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting industrial robots (FANUC, Epson, or similar), including teaching points and editing programs. Candidates strong in PLC/servo/HMI work but newer to robotics are still encouraged to apply - see training note below.
• Demonstrated ability to read and troubleshoot ladder logic or similar PLC programming, and make edits confidently.
• Solid mechanical aptitude - comfortable with hand tools, basic fabrication, and diagnosing mechanical (not just electrical) failures.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting mindset: methodical, calm under pressure, comfortable owning a problem end-to-end.
• Basic understanding of electrical safety practices (lockout/tagout, work on live vs. de-energized equipment).

Preferred (Nice to Have)

• Direct experience with Allen-Bradley CompactLogix PLCs and Studio 5000/RSLogix 5000 programming software.
• Direct experience with Rockwell PanelView Plus HMI configuration (FactoryTalk View Studio).
• Direct experience with Kollmorgen servo drives and motors (e.g., AKD or similar drive families).
• Direct experience programming FANUC and/or Epson robots specifically (teach pendant use, TP/RAPID or similar programming languages, robot-to-PLC I/O integration).
• Experience with servo motion control and drive tuning specifically (not just AC motors/VFDs).
• Experience in precast concrete, batching, or similar heavy manufacturing environments.
• Formal training or certification in industrial electronics, mechatronics, or electrical trades.
• Experience specifying and integrating new sensors, actuators, or third‑party equipment into an existing control system.

What Success Looks Like in the First Year

• Line downtime and unplanned stoppages are reduced, and most issues are resolved in-house without calling the integrator.
• You have a working knowledge of both HMI programs, the PLC logic, and the FANUC/Epson robot programs well enough to make routine edits and improvements independently.
• At least one meaningful hardware or process improvement has been identified and implemented on each line.
• Reliance on the outside integrator has shifted from routine troubleshooting to occasional, higher-level projects only.