Controls Automation Technician

US Diversity Job Search; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 84,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Family Care Leave

Life and disability insurance

Headspace wellbeing

Colleague discount

Bonus program

Hybrid work policy

Job summary

The LEGO Group in Virginia is seeking a Controls Technician to support automated manufacturing systems, troubleshoot controls issues, and improve system performance for reliable production operations.

You will work with PLCs, HMIs, robots, and vision systems, helping drive continuous improvement and documentation practices. The role is hybrid with a 2-2-3 schedule and day/night shifts.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in industrial automation or control in manufacturing.
• Readable electrical schematics and control drawings.
• Experience with PLC/HMI/robotics and automation systems.

Responsibilities

• Validate operation sequences and verify systems perform as intended.
• Investigate automation issues not caused by equipment failure.
• Identify recurring faults and nuisance stops affecting production.
• Troubleshoot intermittent automation issues with rigor.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering for root causes.
• Troubleshoot PLC, HMI, robots, vision, sensors, and industrial networks.
• Support startup, validation after maintenance, and system changes.
• Ensure proper interaction among machines, operators, and automation.
• Assist with testing, commissioning, and documentation updates.
• Follow Lockout/Tagout and electrical safety standards.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

HMI diagnostics

Electrical schematics

Robotic systems

Industrial networks

Education

Associate degree in Mechatronics or Automation

Tools

Rockwell Automation platforms

Job description

Job Description

Are you passionate about industrial automation and solving complex equipment challenges? As a Controls Technician, you'll play a key role in supporting automated manufacturing systems by troubleshooting controls-related issues, improving system performance, and helping ensure reliable production operations.

Compensation & Schedule

Starting Pay: $40.25/hr. Night Shift Premium: 10% shift differential ($44.27/hr.). Schedule: 2-2-3 rotation, 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM or 7:00 PM - 7:00 AM

What You'll Do

• Validate machine sequence of operation and verify systems are performing as intended
• Investigate automation-related issues that cannot be attributed to equipment failure
• Identify recurring faults, nuisance stops, timing issues, and abnormal system behavior
• Support troubleshooting of intermittent and difficult-to-replicate automation issues
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance Automation, and Engineering to identify root causes and corrective actions
• Troubleshoot issues involving PLCs, HMIs, robots, vision systems, sensors, and industrial communications
• Support startup, recovery, and operational validation following maintenance activities and system changes
• Verify proper interaction between machines, operators, and automation systems
• Support implementation and validation of approved controls improvements
• Identify opportunities to reduce minor stops, recurring faults, and automation-related production losses
• Assist with testing and commissioning activities for system upgrades and modifications
• Maintain records of controls-related investigations, system changes, and corrective actions
• Update documentation and support change management processes as required
• Follow plant safety policies including Lockout/Tagout, arc-flash, and electrical safety standards
• Participate in safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations when automation systems are involved

Basic Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience supporting industrial automation or control systems in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and control drawings.
• Experience troubleshooting PLC, HMI, robotic, and industrial automation systems.
• Understanding of industrial communication networks and automation devices.
• Knowledge of automated manufacturing processes and machine sequences of operation.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and documentation practices.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to climb ladders and work in a manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Mechatronics, Automation Technology, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or a related technical field.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation platforms.
• Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing operations.
• Experience with system commissioning, controls validation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Familiarity with robotics, vision systems, and advanced industrial automation technologies.

What We Offer

• Opportunity to work with advanced automation and manufacturing technologies.
• Exposure to complex robotics, controls, and automated systems.
• Career growth and development opportunities within LEGO Manufacturing Virginia.
• Collaborative environment working alongside Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, and OT teams.
• Opportunity to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence.
• Safe, team-oriented workplace focused on learning, innovation, and quality.

Compensation

The salary for this position has a range of $40.25 - $40.25 based on anticipated responsibilities, market benchmarks, and organizational constraints. The LEGO Group carefully considers a wide range of compensation factors, including but not limited to prior experience, skills, expertise, location, internal equity, and other considerations permitted by law. The comprehensive remuneration details, inclusive of benefits, will be communicated upon finalisation of the employment offer.

Benefits

• Family Care Leave - We offer enhanced paid leave options for those important times.
• Insurances - All colleagues are covered by our life and disability insurance which provides protection and peace of mind.
• Wellbeing - We want you to be your best self, so you'll have access to the Headspace App and lots of wellbeing initiatives and programs run by local teams where you are based.
• Colleague Discount - We know you'll love to build so from day 1 you will qualify for our generous colleague discount.
• Bonus - We do our best work to succeed together. When goals are reached and if eligible, you'll be rewarded through our bonus scheme.
• Your workplace - When you join the team you'll be assigned a primary workplace location i.e. one of our Offices, stores or factories. Our hybrid work policy means an average of 3 days per week in the office. The hiring team will discuss the policy and role eligibility with you during the recruitment process.

We strive to create a diverse, dynamic and inclusive culture of play at the LEGO Group, where everyone feels safe, valued and they belong. The LEGO Group is highly committed to equal employment opportunity and equal pay and seeks to encourage applicants from all backgrounds (eg. sex, gender identity or expression, race/ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion and Veteran status) to apply for roles in our team.

The LEGO Group is fully committed to Children's Rights and Child Wellbeing across the globe. Candidates offered positions with high engagement with children are required to take part in Child Safeguarding Background Screening, as a condition of the offer. Thank you for sharing our global commitment to Children's Rights. We conduct drug screening as a part of our drug free workplace policy and in support of our commitment to the health and safety of our employees.