Automation Technician V 1st shift

Challenge Manufacturing; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership (ESOP)

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing, a leading Tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, is hiring an Automation Technician to support production by setting up and troubleshooting automated welding cells and robots. You will mentor junior technicians and ensure safety and quality in a first-shift Holland, MI plant.

Ideal candidates bring mechatronics expertise, PLC programming, and hands-on welding experience, with strong electrical troubleshooting skills to drive

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent (required).
• Mechatronics or related field preferred with hands-on automation experience.
• Experience with PLCs, robotics, welding and electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Provide production support by setting up, troubleshooting, and operating automated welding cells.
• Mentor Automation Technician levels I–IV and Weld Technicians.
• Follow safety procedures and maintain equipment performance.
• Perform basic offline programming and robot parameter adjustments.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, HMI, and I/O as part of daily maintenance.

Skills

Mechatronics

PLC programming

Robot programming

Electrical troubleshooting

Welding

Education

Associate degree in mechatronics

Journeyman certification

Industrial maintenance training

Tools

RoboCAD

Robot Studio

Miyachi Weld Tester

Job description

Who We Are: Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!Who We Want:Provide production support by performing setup, troubleshooting and operations of automated welding cells within a production facility, as well as implementing best practices and proactively assess welding/robotic applications, as well as mentor Auto Technician I-IV team members.What You’ll Do:Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Mentor Automation Technician level I-IV members as well as Weld Technicians.Ability to execute with proficiency all duties and responsibilities requirements of Automation technician IV.Follow all safety procedures and protocols while servicing or maintaining equipment.Demonstrate advanced level proficiency in troubleshooting using electrical / mechanical prints.Use electrical system knowledge and electrical schematics / prints to troubleshoot electrical components and circuits (Connecting circuit breakers, transformers, or other components in a junction box or panel). Perform tasks at an intermediate level with electrician supervision:Wiring harnessesDrive systemsRelaysBoardsMotorsModify and perform intermediate programming tasks of robots in all robotic applications.Perform basic offline programming using RoboCAD/Robot Studio.TCP Verification.I/O Simulation.Move Creation/Modification.Zone Setups.Intermediate weld troubleshooting for all welding applications (drawn arc, GMAW, resistance welding, projection welding, Pneumatic systems, etc.).Use the following equipment safely at an advanced level:Hand measuring toolsMulti metersAmp metersWelding current meterDigital force gaugeMicro-Ohm meterFixture adjustments – minor shim moves on processes based off of manufacture details (with guidance from a Weld Maintenance Mechanic III or Manufacturing Engineer).Understanding of shimming processes.Setup and troubleshoot Poke Yoke systems and applications.Automation Technician V must demonstrate competency in all (3) of the below specialties:PLC ProgrammingIntermediate PLC programming (add sensor & change sequence)Strong understanding of ladder logic and intermediate level ability to troubleshoot issues through a PLCProgram Panel View (HMI)Troubleshoot/ Setup I/O blocksSearch, cross reference, and edit a programTroubleshoot HMI systemLoad programReplace components (i.e., logical module, screen, etc.)Replace system, set IP address, set system nameTroubleshoot Valve StacksIntermediate robot programming methodsLoad IDGun TuningAdding system components (i.e., add valves/ I/O blocks)Program robot offline (write routines)Setup / troubleshoot issues with tool changersSetup / troubleshoot issues with external axesTCP creation and verification (experience with ABB Bullseye system is a plus)Creating offset positionsReplace motors, resolvers, serial pulse codersIntermediate Weld TroubleshootingIf needed, rebuild, or reload schedules. Make changes as directed by Weld Engineers using RAFTEmhart DA schedule changes as directed by Weld EngineersConduct preventive maintenance activities on specialty equipmentMIG weld schedule changes as directed by Weld EngineersCap / Electrode studies and weld validationCalibrate squeeze force on spot weld gunsTroubleshoot Drawn Arc Stud Welding issues as well as basic programmingTroubleshoot/ setup projection weldsWorking knowledge of Miyachi Weld TesterWhen and Where:This will be a 1st Shift / 6:30AM-2:30PM M-F position located at our Plant in Holland, MI.What You Need to Have:High School Diploma or equivalent (required).Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at a level sufficient to safely and effectively perform job duties, including following work instructions, safety procedures, and company communications.Ability to obtain industrial truck and aerial platform licenses (required).Excellent verbal communication skills (required).Experience with Microsoft applications (i.e., word, excel, outlook, etc.).Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (internal candidates).Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (internal and external candidates).Knowledge of PLC systems and Intermediate programming methods (required).Industrial Maintenance / Machine Repair / Electrician Journeyman certification, or 2-year technical degree, or equivalent work experience (required).Minimum 3 years of Weld Technician, Automation Technician, or equivalent experience (required).Mechatronics certificate or journeyperson card (preferred).Associates degree in mechatronics, controls, maintenance technician (preferred).Minimum 15 years combined experience and education as an Automation Technician or Equivalent experience and education (preferred).Strong electrical and mechanical background in industrial and automated systems (preferred).