Field Technology Specialist

hendrickson; McEwen (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hendrickson is seeking a Field Tech Specialist to diagnose, troubleshoot, repair and upgrade automation and control systems across manufacturing sites. This role blends engineering and field support to ensure reliable operation and minimal downtime.

You will lead projects from concept through implementation, program PLCs, robots, HMIs, and safety systems, travel up to 75% and mentor maintenance staff. Requires 10+ years in manufacturing, Rockwell and Fanuc experience, and ability to read

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years of manufacturing experience in automation or controls.
• Proficiency with Rockwell software suite and Fanuc robots.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and PLC code.
• Willingness to travel up to ~75% and work in industrial environments.
• Formal training in robotic systems or SQL is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and controls projects from concept through implementation.
• Program, troubleshoot, and modify PLCs, robots, HMIs as required.
• Support site commissioning, start-up, and optimization activities.
• Provide field diagnostics and quick repair to minimize downtime.
• Develop technical documentation and training materials.

Skills

Automation projects leadership

PLC programming

Robot programming

HMI programming

Electrical design

Documentation creation

Field service & troubleshooting

Safety systems knowledge

Travel 75%

Education

Associate’s degree or equivalent years of experience

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Rockwell Studio 5000

FactoryTalk View

Roboguide

Fanuc Robots

Allen-Bradley PLC

Networking & IPC basics

Job description

Position Purpose:

The Field Tech Specialist is responsible for diagnosing, troubleshooting, repairing, upgrading and tuning of existing manufacturing operations. They will also be responsible for design, programming, implementing, commissioning, and supporting automation and control systems for new automation initiatives. This role provides both engineering and field support for automated manufacturing equipment, ensuring reliable operation, minimal downtime, and continuous process improvement.

Primary areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• Lead automation and controls projects from concept through implementation.
• PLC, Robot, and HMI programming
• Industrial automation and controls integration
• Electrical panel and controls design
• Equipment, establish documentation and technical manuals to support installation, training, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Lead equipment startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, optimization, and ongoing technical support while training and mentoring maintenance, engineering, and operations personnel.

Essential Functions:

• Travel to manufacturing and customer locations to diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair electrical controls and automation systems, including PLCs, robots, HMIs, servo systems, VFDs, sensors, industrial networks, and related control components.
• Provide support during automation failures, process interruptions, and emergency service events to minimize production downtime and restore equipment operation safely and efficiently.
• Provide technical assistance to manufacturing, engineering, and maintenance teams to resolve chronic, recurring, or complex automation and controls-related issues.
• Implement and troubleshoot automation safety systems to achieve and maintain required functional safety levels.
• Perform on-site testing, validation, and functional verification of automation systems following repairs, modifications, upgrades, or equipment changes.
• Program, troubleshoot, and modify PLCs, robots, HMIs, and other industrial automation equipment as required to support production, reliability improvements, and operational requirements.
• Occasionally provide after-hours, weekend, or emergency support as required to support production-critical equipment and minimize operational disruptions.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve automation system reliability, performance, safety, and maintainability.
• Evaluate and recommend electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, sensing, and automation components to improve equipment performance, reliability, and lifecycle supportability.
• Support projects during equipment commissioning, startup, optimization, and final run-off activities.
• Install, commission, and startup automated equipment and control systems, ensuring systems operate according to design specifications and safety requirements.
• Generate and maintain electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, network, and control system documentation, including schematics, backups, and technical records.
• Generate and maintain bills of material, spare parts recommendations, and technical documentation required to support automation systems.
• Participate in product, equipment, and process design reviews to improve manufacturability, reliability, quality, and operational performance.
• Lead controls-related projects from initial concept through implementation, including design, programming, documentation, installation support, machine testing, and ongoing technical support.
• Serve as a subject matter expert (SME) for automation and controls systems, providing technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and knowledge sharing to engineering, maintenance, and operations teams.
• Mentor and train maintenance personnel, engineers, and technicians by providing hands‑on guidance, technical coaching, and knowledge transfer to build automation and controls expertise.
• Develop and implement approved capital and expense projects, including researching new manufacturing technologies and planning implementation requirements.
• Research emerging automation technologies and evaluate their applicability to improve manufacturing operations, reliability, and productivity.
• Perform additional duties and special assignments as required.

Education and Training:

• Associate’s degree or equivalent years of experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline preferred.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Minimum of 10+ years of manufacturing experience required.
• Experience with current Rockwell software suite (Studio 5000 Logix Designer, Studio 5000 View Designer, FactoryTalk View Studio ME/SE, and newer).
• Experience with Fanuc Robots (Both Teach Pendant and Roboguide)
• Professional experience in manufacturing in an automated machining/fabrication environment is desirable.
• Formal training in robotic systems and other automated systems is desirable.
• Formal training in SQL or other database language preferred.
• Candidate must demonstrate the ability to read and understand electrical schematics, flow charts, and Allen Bradley PLC code.
• Understanding of structured programming principles.
• Must exhibit strong “problem solving and decision-making” abilities.
• Ability to travel around 75% of the time.

Physical Demands:

• Frequent sitting and working at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Frequent standing and walking on concrete.
• Occasional crawling, climbing, bending, squatting, and lifting during assembly, field wiring and plumbing activities.
• Working with as high as 480VAC electrical and other high powered industrial equipment.
• Occasional climbing stairs and fixed/vertical ladders.
• Occasionally lifting and carrying heavy objects, equipment, or tools which may be upwards of 50 pounds.
• Ability to push/pull carts (minimal 25lbs) and parts (minimal 60lbs).
• Driving for extended periods of time and/or travel via public transportation, including air travel.
• Ability to hear and speak clearly with team members, customers, and vendors.
• Sufficient vision is needed to complete detailed inspections, reading technical documents, and working with computer screens.

Environmental Conditions:

• Work Environment: Manufacturing.
• Working outdoors in various weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, and snow.
• Exposure to loud noise from machinery, tools, and equipment in industrial or construction settings.
• Lighting: Adequate.
• Ventilation: Adequate. There is welding smoke from the process that is visible in the air.
• Temperature: Non-Temperature Controlled. Humidity, Heat, Cold are factors during the year.
• Occasional contact with hazardous materials or chemicals, necessitating adherence to safety protocols and use of PPE.
• Frequent travel to various locations, which may involve overnight stays and varying environmental conditions.

*This is not a comprehensive list of duties. Duties may change without notice in management’s sole discretion. Hendrickson is an at-will employer, each employee is free to resign at any time, just as Hendrickson is free to terminate employment at any time without cause or notice.

Hendrickson is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.