Manufacturing/Controls Technician

WKW North America, LLC; Pell City (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

WKW North America, LLC is seeking a skilled maintenance professional to troubleshoot, diagnose, repair, and modify industrial machinery and automated production lines. The role requires hands-on experience with PLCs, CNCs, industrial robots, and vision systems to ensure peak machine performance and uptime.

You will perform preventive and corrective maintenance, support continuous improvement initiatives, and work across electrical and mechanical disciplines to sustain safe, efficient production

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of electrical equipment and control principles.
• Strong PLC programming and automation troubleshooting skills.
• Experience with PLCs, CNCs, and industrial robots.
• Familiar with lean manufacturing and continuous improvement methods.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and repair electrical and control systems; perform preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, VFDs, CNC machines, and robotics to minimize downtime.
• Maintain and improve safety, quality, and production efficiency through standard work.

Skills

PLC programming

Robot maintenance

CNC troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

HMI programming

VFDs

Electrical drawings

Industrial robotics (ABB/Fanuc)

Tools

Siemens S7 PLC

Allen-Bradley PLC

Beckhoff PLC

Keyence vision systems

ABB/Fanuc robots

Job description

The candidate will be responsible for troubleshooting, testing, diagnosing, repairing, and modifying operational machinery and automated production equipment. This role requires extensive knowledge of multiple maintenance disciplines and a strong background in industrial electrical and automation systems.

The ideal candidate possesses advanced electrical and automation troubleshooting skills, with hands‑on experience working with PLCs, industrial robots, and CNC‑controlled equipment. Responsibilities include diagnosing and resolving equipment failures, performing preventive and corrective maintenance, and ensuring optimal machine performance and reliability.

In addition to electrical and automation support, the candidate will perform mechanical troubleshooting and process‑related equipment adjustments, including work on assembly fixtures, end‑of‑arm tooling (EOAT), pick‑and‑place systems, and other manufacturing equipment.

The position involves performing a broad range of electrical maintenance and mechanical service activities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient production operations while minimizing downtime and supporting continuous improvement initiatives.

Technical & Engineering Responsibilities

• Support maintenance, robotics, and manufacturing engineering teams during machine downtime and troubleshooting events.
• Perform troubleshooting, diagnose and repair electrical systems, PLCs, VFDs, CNC machines, and 6-axis industrial robots, camera systems, and various instrumentational devices.
• Perform mechanical troubleshooting and process‑related equipment adjustments on assembly fixtures, end‑of‑arm tooling (EOAT), pick‑and‑place systems, and other manufacturing equipment to maintain production quality, reliability, and efficiency.
• Maintain and improve controls and robotics systems across all production departments.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot Keyence vision systems.
• Demonstrate strong PLC and HMI programming capabilities.
• Design and implement cost‑effective equipment modifications to improve safety, quality, throughput, and reliability.
• Identify weak points in automation systems to reduce downtime and prevent recurring issues.
• Support engineering initiatives such as poka‑yoke sensors, vision cameras and process improvements
• Participate in new machine launches, equipment installations, and system integrations.
• Develop, maintain, and improve manufacturing processes, work instructions, standard operating procedures, and production documentation to ensure safe, efficient, and consistent operations.
• Provide technical support to production by troubleshooting process and equipment issues, implementing continuous improvement initiatives, and driving quality, productivity, and cost‑reduction objectives.

Technical Knowledge & Skills

• Extensive knowledge of electrical equipment, troubleshooting, and advanced electrical control principles.
• Advanced understanding of control systems, preferably Siemens, with the ability to develop PLC programs. Allen‑Bradley, Beckhoff is a plus.
• Understanding of various industrial communication networks (EtherNet/IP, EtherCAT, Profinet, Profibus, etc.).
• Strong knowledge of frequency drives (Siemens, SEW, Allen‑Bradley).
• Demonstrated Siemens HMI programming skills.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical CAD drawings and blueprints.
• Experience with industrial robots (ABB, Fanuc)
• Knowledge of advanced manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with Lean Manufacturing, Continuous Improvement, 5S, TPM, and related methodologies.
• Understanding of QMS for IATF requirements and EMS for ISO 14001:2015 is a plus.
• Run tests, isolate problems, configure and replace faulty components, install cables, and perform required technical tasks.
• Troubleshoot and support both hardware and software systems in a manufacturing environment.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Must be able to frequently walk
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time
• Must be able to perform repetitive movements.
• Must be able to spot visual defects. (Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.)
• Must be able to hear alarms and variations in the sounds of running machinery
• The team member is occasionally required use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; squat; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk and hear effectively.
• The team member must be able to regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 30 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.