Packaging and Automation Technician

UDA - United Dairymen of Arizona; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

United Dairymen of Arizona is seeking an experienced Multi-Craft Maintenance Technician to maintain and troubleshoot automated butter and powder packaging operations. This is a maintenance and technical troubleshooting role, not a packaging operator position.

The candidate should have proven industrial electrical, mechanical, and PLC/automation troubleshooting experience and be comfortable addressing complex equipment breakdowns in a food manufacturing environment.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated industrial maintenance experience with hands-on electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.
• Practical PLC/automation troubleshooting including diagnose machine sequences, field devices, and I/O faults.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings and troubleshoot equipment systematically.
• Experience maintaining automated manufacturing or packaging machinery.
• Working knowledge of industrial motor controls, VFDs, sensors, pneumatic systems, and mechanical power transmission.
• Ability to communicate clearly during equipment breakdowns and document completed repairs.

Responsibilities

• Independently troubleshoot and repair electrical faults involving three-phase motors, motor controls, VFDs, 24 VDC controls, sensors, relays, and industrial wiring.
• Read electrical schematics and use diagnostic instruments to isolate failed components and control circuit problems.
• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled machine sequences, inputs/outputs, HMI alarms, interlocks, and automated equipment interfaces using authorized diagnostic tools.
• Diagnose mechanical failures in conveyors, bearings, gearboxes, couplings, chains, belts, pumps, augers, and packaging assemblies.
• Troubleshoot pneumatic cylinders, solenoid valves, air preparation components, vacuum systems, and bag handling mechanisms.
• Support FANUC and Kawasaki robotic cells by identifying controller alarms, tooling issues, safety/interlock faults, and PLC-to-robot interface problems; perform approved recovery procedures.
• Maintain and repair automated bag opening, filling, weighing, sealing, conveying, and palletizing equipment, including intermittent timing and sensor faults.
• Complete preventive and corrective maintenance, identify recurring failures, and recommend lasting corrective actions.
• Document findings, work performed, and parts used in UpKeep CMMS; coordinate with operators, maintenance teammates, and management.
• Follow Lockout/Tagout, electrical and machine safety, robotic safeguarding, GMP, and sanitation requirements.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

PLC/Automation troubleshooting

Reading electrical schematics

Robot troubleshooting

VFDs and motor controls

Pneumatic systems

HMI/diagnostic tools

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree in maintenance / mechatronics / electrical technology / automation

Tools

Studio 5000

Job description

Job Summary/ObjectiveUDA is seeking an experienced, hands-on Multi-Craft Maintenance Technician to maintain and troubleshoot automated butter and powder packaging operations. This is a maintenance and technical troubleshooting position, not a packaging operator role. The successful candidate must bring proven industrial electrical, mechanical, and PLC/automation troubleshooting experience and be comfortable responding to complex equipment breakdowns in a food manufacturing environment.Primary Duties & Responsibilities:The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:Independently troubleshoot and repair electrical faults involving three-phase motors, motor controls, VFDs, 24 VDC controls, sensors, relays, and industrial wiring.Read electrical schematics and use diagnostic instruments to isolate failed components and control circuit problems.Troubleshoot PLC-controlled machine sequences, inputs/outputs, HMI alarms, interlocks, and automated equipment interfaces using authorized diagnostic tools.Diagnose mechanical failures in conveyors, bearings, gearboxes, couplings, chains, belts, pumps, augers, and packaging assemblies.Troubleshoot pneumatic cylinders, solenoid valves, air preparation components, vacuum systems, and bag handling mechanisms.Support FANUC and Kawasaki robotic cells by identifying controller alarms, tooling issues, safety/interlock faults, and PLC-to-robot interface problems; perform approved recovery procedures.Maintain and repair automated bag opening, filling, weighing, sealing, conveying, and palletizing equipment, including intermittent timing and sensor faults.Complete preventive and corrective maintenance, identify recurring failures, and recommend lasting corrective actions.Document findings, work performed, and parts used in UpKeep CMMS; coordinate with operators, maintenance teammates, and management.Follow Lockout/Tagout, electrical and machine safety, robotic safeguarding, GMP, and sanitation requirements.*Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Travel Requirements None Minimal Moderate HighQualifications:Skills & Abilities:You can identify why a machine stopped, trace the fault through electrical, mechanical, or control systems, implement a safe repair, and verify reliable operation. You proactively prevent repeat failures and work effectively with production to minimize downtime. Advanced PLC or robot programming is not required for this role, but sound diagnostics and safe fault recovery are essential.Experience: RequiredDemonstrated industrial maintenance experience with substantial hands-on electrical AND mechanical troubleshooting.Practical PLC/automation troubleshooting experience, including ability to diagnose machine sequences, field devices, and I/O faults.Ability to read electrical schematics and mechanical drawings and troubleshoot equipment systematically without relying on trial-and-error parts replacement.Experience maintaining automated manufacturing or packaging machinery.Working knowledge of industrial motor controls, VFDs, sensors, pneumatic systems, and mechanical power transmission.Ability to communicate clearly during equipment breakdowns and document completed repairs.Experience: PreferredFive or more years of industrial maintenance experience; technical school or associate degree in maintenance, mechatronics, electrical technology, or automation.Allen-Bradley PLC and Studio 5000 diagnostic experience.FANUC or Kawasaki robot troubleshooting, teach pendant familiarity, and robotic palletizing experience.SAPAC, AVAPAC, automated bagging, filling, sealing, or powder handling experience.Dairy, butter processing, food manufacturing, or high-speed packaging experience.Industrial networking, servo systems, root cause analysis, and CMMS experience (UpKeep preferred).Education/Certifications:High school diploma or GED; ability to work safely in an industrial food production environment.Work Environment & DemandsPhysical and environmental demands for this position are indicated below: (check all that are applicable)Physical Demands:Work is performed in an operating food manufacturing facility and may involve standing, walking, climbing, bending, noise, temperature variations, and proximity to moving equipment. Appropriate PPE and established safe-work practices are required. Shift schedule, compensation, benefits, and application instructions to be added by UDA Human Resources before publication.