Mechatronic/Robotic Technician IV -2nd Shift

Challenge Mfg. Company LLC; Spartanburg, Northern (SC, KY); Hybrid; USD 30,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

HSA with employer contributions

FSA

Short-Term Disability

Basic Life Insurance

401k Match

ESOP shares

Tuition reimbursement

Referral Bonus Program

Time off

Job summary

Challenge Manufacturing in Spartanburg, SC, seeks an Automation Technician II/III for the 2nd shift to support welding cells and robotic systems. You will mentor junior technicians, troubleshoot electrical and robotic applications, and optimize automated welding processes.

Strong PLC programming, HMI, and electrical schematics skills are required along with the ability to read blueprints and maintain safety. This employee-owned company emphasizes ESOP participation and teamwork.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; read/understand English for safety and instruction.
• Experience with PLCs, robotics, and welding-related automation preferred.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and follow wiring diagrams.
• Meets certification and degree requirements for automation maintenance.
• Minimum 3 years in Weld/Automation technician roles or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Mentor I-III automation technicians and weld technicians on the shop floor.
• Troubleshoot and program robots and automated welding cells.
• Follow safety procedures while servicing and maintaining equipment.
• Work with PLCs, HMIs, and I/O to diagnose faults and improve processes.
• Assist with maintenance, setup, and zone configurations for automation systems.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Robot programming

PLC programming

HMI configuration

Electrical schematics

Safety procedures

Education

Electrical Journeyman certification

2-year technical degree

Mechatronics certificate

Associates degree in mechatronics

Tools

RoboCAD

Robot Studio

Miyachi Weld Tester

Job description

Who We Are:

Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations. Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee‑owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee‑owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee‑owners share in Challenge’s success! Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

Provide production support by performing setup, troubleshooting and operations of automated welding cells within a production facility, as well as implementing best practices and proactively assess welding/robotic applications, as well as mentor Auto Technician I-III team members

What You’ll Do:

• Mentor Automation Technician level I-III members as well as Weld Technicians
• Ability to execute with proficiency all duties and responsibilities requirements of Automation technician III.
• Follow all safety procedures and protocols while servicing or maintaining equipment.
• Demonstrate advanced level proficiency in troubleshooting using electrical / mechanical prints.
• Use electrical system knowledge and electrical schematics / prints to troubleshoot electrical components and circuits (Connecting circuit breakers, transformers, or other components in a junction box or panel).
• Perform tasks at an intermediate level with electrician supervision: Wiring harnesses
• Drive systems
• Relays Boards Motors
• Modify and perform intermediate programming tasks of robots in all robotic applications.
• Perform basic offline programming using RoboCAD/Robot Studio.
• TCP Verification.
• I/O Simulation.
• Move Creation/Modification.
• Zone Setups.
• Intermediate weld troubleshooting for all welding applications (drawn arc, GMAW, resistance welding, projection welding, Pneumatic systems, etc.).
• Use the following equipment safely at an advanced level: Hand measuring tools Multi meters Amp meters Welding current meter Digital force gauge Micro-Ohm meter Fixture adjustments – minor shim moves on processes based off of manufacture details (with guidance from a Weld Maintenance Mechanic III or Manufacturing Engineer).
• Understanding of shimming processes.
• Setup and troubleshoot Poke Yoke systems and applications.
• Automation Technician IV must demonstrate competency in (2) of the below specialties:
• PLC Programming Intermediate PLC programming (add sensor & change sequence) Strong understanding of ladder logic and intermediate level ability to troubleshoot issues through a PLC Program Panel View (HMI)
• Troubleshoot/ Setup I/O blocks Search, cross reference, and edit a program.
• Troubleshoot HMI system Load program Replace components (i.e., logical module, screen, etc.) Replace system, set IP address, set system name.
• Troubleshoot Valve Stacks Intermediate robot programming methods Load ID Gun Tuning Adding system components (i.e., add valves/ I/O blocks) Program robot offline (write routines) Setup / troubleshoot issues with tool changers Setup / troubleshoot issues with external axes TCP creation and verification (experience with ABB Bullseye system is a plus).
• Creating offset positions Replace motors, resolvers, serial pulse coders Intermediate Weld Troubleshooting If needed, rebuild or reload schedules. Make changes as directed by Weld Engineers using RAFT Emhart DA schedule changes as directed by Weld Engineers Conduct preventive maintenance activities on specialty equipment MIG weld schedule changes as directed by Weld Engineers Cap / Electrode studies and weld validation Calibrate squeeze force on spot weld guns Troubleshoot Drawn Arc Stud Welding issues as well as basic programming Troubleshoot/ setup projection welds Working knowledge of Miyachi Weld Tester.

When and Where:

This will be a 2nd Shift / 1:00-PM - 9:00 PM, M-F position located at our Plant in Spartanburg, SC.

What You Need to Have:

• High School Diploma or equivalent (required).
• Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English at a level sufficient to safely and effectively perform job duties, including following work instructions, safety procedures, and company communications.
• Ability to obtain industrial truck and aerial platform licenses (required).
• Excellent verbal communication skills (required).
• Experience with Microsoft applications (i.e., word, excel, outlook, etc.).
• Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (internal candidates).
• Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (internal and external candidates).
• Knowledge of PLC systems and Intermediate programming methods (required).
• Industrial Maintenance / Machine Repair / Electrician Journeyman certification, or 2-year technical degree, or equivalent work experience (required).
• Minimum 3 years of Weld Technician, Automation Technician, or equivalent experience (required).
• Mechatronics certificate or journeyperson card (preferred).
• Associates degree in mechatronics, controls, maintenance technician (preferred).
• Minimum 10 years combined experience and education as an Automation Technician or Equivalent experience and education (preferred).
• Strong electrical and mechanical background in industrial and automated systems.

Benefits:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Company-paid Short-Term Disability
• Basic Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options
• Employer 401k Match
• ESOP shares
• Tuition reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• Challenge Incentive Program
• Paid time off

Please note, while these benefits are part of what we offer, they may not all apply to this specific role. And of course, we’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their role.

Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations. Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee‑owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee‑owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee‑owners share in Challenge’s success! Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!