Lead Automation & Controls Technician – 1st Shift

Keystone Distinction Group; Brown Deer (WI); On-site; USD 118,474,000 - 135,005,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in Brown Deer, WI is seeking a Lead Automation & Controls Technician for 1st shift. This direct-hire role offers a $43.00/hour starting rate plus annual bonuses, with a comprehensive benefits package.

As the plant's SME, you will diagnose complex robotic systems, troubleshoot AB/Siemens PLCs, and authorize high-capacity automation line decisions. You’ll mentor technicians and drive process improvements within a stable day-shift environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years in industrial maintenance and automation in high-volume manufacturing.
• Advanced control systems mastery with robotics, VFDs, and PLCs (Allen-Bradley or Siemens).
• Ability to read complex electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics.
• Hands-on fabrication and welding for heavy machinery repair.
• Diagnose multi-variant faults across robotic, electrical, fluids, and mechanical domains.
• Stable work history and local daily commuting proximity to Brown Deer, WI.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Plant Automation SME: advanced diagnostics, logic reviews, and precision repairs on high-capacity lines and robotic cells.
• Troubleshoot PLC/Control Systems: monitor live code and optimize control logic on AB and Siemens platforms.
• Trace complex schematics: read multi-page electrical/mechanical drawings to isolate faults.
• Maintain fluid power and power distribution: preventative maintenance on hydraulics, pneumatics, and AC/DC systems.
• Perform mechanical modification and fabrication: weld and fabricate to reinforce assemblies and modify frames on-site.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior technicians and production teams.

Skills

Industrial automation

Robotics troubleshooting

Schematic literacy

Fabrication/Welding

Tools

Allen-Bradley RSLogix/Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

Job description

Lead Automation & Controls Technician – 1st Shift

$43.00/Hour + Multiple Annual Bonuses Brown Deer, WI Area Direct-Hire

• COMPENSATION: $43.00/Hour Baseline Starting Rate + Multiple Annual Performance Bonuses + Comprehensive Corporate Benefits Package
• ELITE SCHEDULE: 1st Shift | Monday – Friday (7:00 AM – 3:00 PM) | High stability with no exhausting on-call rotations or off-shift requirements
• AUTOMATION & CONTROLS: 8+ years of depth diagnosing automated machinery, VFDs, industrial robotics, and active PLC code monitoring/troubleshooting (Allen-Bradley or Siemens)
• TECHNICAL LITERACY: Advanced proficiency tracing multi-page electrical schematics, mechanical assembly drawings, and fluid power system prints
• FABRICATION: Practical welding and custom fabrication skills for heavy industrial machinery repair and structural modifications
• ROLE HIGHLIGHTS: High-visibility Subject Matter Expert (SME) position serving as the plant's ultimate authority on high-capacity automation lines and robotic logic
• REQUIREMENTS: US Citizen or Green Card holder residing within a dependable daily commuting radius of Brown Deer / Northern Milwaukee County, WI

If you are a seasoned automation veteran looking to step away from chaotic off-shifts and step into a strategic lead position on 1st shift, this direct-hire SME seat is built for you. The employer is a rapidly growing, market-leading manufacturing innovator in the Brown Deer area, celebrated for its employee-centric culture, high team retention, and complete rejection of corporate bureaucracy.

Rather than handling basic reactive repairs, you will serve as the plant's principal technical authority on high-capacity automation lines, complex robotics, and control systems. The organization actively recognizes and rewards long-term technical contributions through a multi-tiered annual bonus structure, premier day-shift stability, and an environment where your engineering and maintenance expertise is genuinely respected.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Serve as the Plant Automation SME: Perform advanced diagnostics, systemic logic reviews, and precision repairs on high-capacity industrial automation lines and complex robotic cells.
• Troubleshoot PLC & Control Systems: Monitor live code, execute online diagnostic checks, and optimize control logic on Allen-Bradley and Siemens PLC platforms.
• Trace Complex Schematics: Read and interpret multi-page electrical schematics and mechanical blueprints to isolate intermittent control loop issues and high-level component faults.
• Maintain Fluid Power & Power Distribution Systems: Execute preventative maintenance and systemic repairs on multi-phase AC/DC electrical distribution systems, high-pressure hydraulics, and advanced pneumatics.
• Execute Mechanical Modification & Fabrication: Utilize precision welding and custom fabrication skills to modify machine frameworks, reinforce heavy assemblies, and repair critical equipment on-site.
• Provide Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Partner with production management to drive down operational downtime while coaching and mentoring junior maintenance technicians.

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• 8+ years of industrial maintenance & automation experience within high-volume, continuous-production manufacturing environments.
• Advanced Control Systems Mastery: Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial robotics, VFDs, and live PLC logic (Allen-Bradley RSLogix/Studio 5000 or Siemens TIA Portal).
• Schematic & Print Literacy: Expert capability reading intricate electrical, electronic control, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics.
• Practical Fabrication: Demonstrated welding and custom shop fabrication skills for heavy machinery repair.
• Diagnostic Instincts: Expert-level capability isolating multi-variant faults across overlapping robotic, electrical, fluid power, and mechanical safety domains.
• Employment Stability: A rock-solid, dependable work history showing steady tenure and technical growth with prior employers.
• Local Proximity: Living within a comfortable daily commute of the Greater Brown Deer / Northern Milwaukee County, WI area.