Electro-Mechanical Automation Technician

Varsity Spirit; Edwardsville (KS); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Health Care Benefits

401(k) plan with company matching

Wellbeing Program

Paid Holidays

Varsity Brands Ownership Program

Employee Perks including discounts on…

Job summary

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY, is seeking a skilled onsite Maintenance Technician in Edwardsville, KS. The role focuses on electrical/PLC troubleshooting, maintenance of printing presses, bindery machinery, and plant facilities.

You will diagnose faults, install and test wiring, and drive system components while contributing to continuous improvement. A relevant certificate or equivalent experience is required.

Qualifications

• One-year certificate from a college or technical school (Mechatronics or Industrial Electronics) or 5+ years of related industrial maintenance experience.
• Experience with electrical/PLC troubleshooting and maintenance of plant equipment.
• Ability to read safety rules, schematics, and maintenance manuals; strong problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and troubleshoot PLCs to minimize downtime.
• Install, test, and maintain electrical wiring, conduit, and controls.
• Test components using voltmeters, megohmmeters, temperature sensors, and gauges.
• Troubleshoot drive systems and servo motors; replace faulty components.
• Lead automation improvements and root-cause analyses for equipment reliability.
• Mentor Maintenance Technicians and support teams on best practices.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

Electrical maintenance

Mechanical maintenance

Autonomy

Education

One-year certificate in Mechatronics or Industrial Electronics

5+ years experience in industrial maintenance

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Megohmmeter

Job description

VARSITY SPIRIT, A VARSITY BRANDS COMPANY

Work Type

Onsite

Location Details

2525 Midpoint Dr, Edwardsville, KS 66111

Work Hours

Monday – Friday 6am to 2pm. During Feb-Jun peak season available for shift work.

How You Will Make An Impact

This is a skilled position across multiple trades with a dual emphasis on advanced electrical/PLC troubleshooting and general industrial mechanics. The employee will perform highly technical, skilled, and semi-skilled tasks to repair, maintain, and optimize printing presses, high-speed bindery machinery, building infrastructure, and plant equipment. The role requires high technical independence to execute work orders from sketches, electrical schematics, or diagrams.

What You Will Do

Electrical & PLC Troubleshooting (Primary Specialization)

• PLC Maintenance: Diagnose, fault‑find, and troubleshoot logic issues on plant PLCs (e.g., Allen‑Bradley, Siemens) to minimize print line downtime.
• Electrical Infrastructure: Install, test, and maintain electrical conduit, wiring, switching devices, controls, outlets, fixtures, and motors.
• Component Testing: Evaluate performance using voltmeters, megohmmeters, temperature sensors, and pressure gauges.
• Drive Systems: Troubleshoot and replace AC/DC electronic drives, servo motors, relays, and proximity sensors.

Technical Leadership, Automation Systems & Continuous Improvement

• Serves as the subject matter expert for plant automation, controls, PLCs, drives, and related systems.
• Provides technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Maintenance Technicians and maintenance personnel.
• Leads troubleshooting efforts and root cause analysis for complex automation, controls, and equipment reliability issues.
• Identifies, recommends, and implements improvements to automation systems, maintenance processes, and equipment performance.
• Coordinates automation‑related projects, system upgrades, equipment modifications, and controls enhancements.
• Partners with production and maintenance leadership to improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and system performance.

Mechanical & Bindery Generalist Maintenance

• Equipment Diagnostics: Troubleshoot mechanical malfunctions on high‑speed bindery machinery (folders, cutters, stitchers, binders) and large print presses.
• Fluid Power & Vacuums: Check, repair, and maintain pneumatic lines, hydraulic cylinders, valves, fans, and vacuum pumps critical for paper handling.
• Facility Infrastructure: Test and calibrate HVAC controls, plumbing networks, and facility systems.
• Fabrication & Shop Skills: Perform plant construction, modification, and repair via welding, brazing, and soldering.
• PM Execution: Perform strict preventive maintenance schedules to maximize machine lifecycle and prevent peak‑season failures.
• Housekeeping: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop and plant floor environment.

Qualifications

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Language Skills: Ability to read and analyze safety rules, complex electrical schematics, operating/maintenance manuals, and governmental regulations. Ability to write routine status reports and communicate effectively under pressure.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to compute rates, ratios, percentages, and measurements in fractions and decimals to interpret mechanical tolerances and bar graphs.
• Reasoning Ability: Strong practical problem‑solving skills to handle concrete variables in non‑standardized, fast‑paced production environments.
• Autonomy: Proven ability to perform heavy technical duties with a minimum amount of direct supervision.

Education/Experience

Credentials: One-year certificate from a college or technical school (Mechatronics or Industrial Electronics); or 5+ years of related industrial maintenance experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Physical Requirements

• Movement: Regularly required to stand, walk, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and use hands to handle or feel components.
• Lifting: Regularly lift/move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift/move up to 50 pounds, and occasionally lift/move up to 100 pounds with assistance.
• Vision: Precise close vision, distance vision, color vision (for wiring), peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment.

Work Environment

• Hazards: Regular exposure to fast-moving mechanical parts, high risk of electrical shock during live testing, and machinery vibration.
• Conditions: Occasional exposure to high places, chemical fumes, and airborne paper particles.
• Noise Level: Moderate to loud industrial environment requiring hearing protection.

Our Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Care Benefits
• HSA Employer Contribution/ FSA Opportunities
• Wellbeing Program
• 401(k) plan with company matching
• Company paid Life, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability
• Generous My Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Varsity Brands Ownership Program
• Employee Resource Groups
• Access to Financial Coaching and member‑owned Credit Union
• St. Jude Partnership & Volunteer Opportunities
• Employee Perks including discounts on personal apparel and equipment!

Varsity Brands companies are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age or disability.