Reliability and Automation Technician

McMaster-Carr; Elmhurst (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Medical coverage

Retirement plan

Parental leave

Homebuyer assistance

Paid time off

Job summary

McMaster-Carr is hiring a Reliability and Automation Technician to maximize uptime of automated systems. You will diagnose faults in PLCs, sensors, and control panels, and perform preventive maintenance across a 24/7 operation at Elmhurst, IL.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3–5+ years of hands‑on automation experience. This is a fully onsite position with comprehensive safety and CMMS documentation responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is strongly preferred.
• 3–5+ years of hands‑on experience in industrial automation, PLC controls, or robotics.
• Experience with preventive/predictive maintenance and RCA is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair complex faults in automated equipment (conveyors, robotics, PLC control panels, VFDs).
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance (thermography, vibration analysis).
• Lead root cause analyses and implement corrective actions.

Skills

PLCs troubleshooting

Industrial sensors

Motor controls

CMMS documentation

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics/Automation/EET

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Allen‑Bradley PLCs

VFDs

Job description

About the job

As a Reliability and Automation Technician, you'll be responsible for maximizing the uptime, efficiency, and longevity of automated systems, robotics, and industrial machinery. This role combines preventive maintenance with advanced troubleshooting of PLCs, sensors, and control systems to minimize downtime and enhance process reliability. The technician acts as a subject matter expert, analyzing failure modes and implementing improvements to prevent recurrence.

This is a fullyonsite role at our facility located at 600 N. County Line Road, Elmhurst, IL.

Who We Are

McMaster-Carr is a leading e-commerce company that industrial customers have trusted for over 125 years. Our products help them get manufacturing lines back up quickly, keep operations running smoothly, and prototype the next generation of innovative solutions. Behind it all are our people: exceptional and resourceful problem-solvers who take pride in getting every detail right for our customers.

WhatYou'llDo

• Troubleshooting&Repair: Diagnoseandrepaircomplexfaultsinautomatedequipment(conveyors,robotics,PLCcontrolpanels,VFDs)throughelectrical,mechanical,andpneumaticpathways.
• Preventive&PredictiveMaintenance: Performroutineinspectionsandpredictivemaintenance(thermography,vibrationanalysis)toproactivelyidentifypotentialcomponentfailures.
• RootCauseAnalysis(RCA):LeadorassistinRCAinvestigationsforchronicequipmentfailuresandimplementcorrectiveactions.
• Documentation&CMMS: Maintaindetailedlogsofrepairs,maintenanceactivities,andpartsusageinaComputerizedMaintenanceManagementSystem(CMMS).
• SafetyCompliance: Upholdallsafetypolicies,includingLockout/Tagout(LOTO),robotsafetystandards,andmachineguarding.

WhoYouAre

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics, Automation, Electrical Engineering Technology, or related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience: 3-5+years of hands-on experience maintaining industrial automation, PLC controls, or robotics.

TechnicalSkills

• ProficiencywithPLCtroubleshooting(Siemens,Allen-Bradley,orsimilar).
• Strongknowledgeofindustrialsensors,motorcontrols,andactuators.
• PhysicalAbility: Abletoworkinanindustrialenvironment,liftheavycomponents,andworkatheights.
• Flexibility: This position supports a 24/7 distribution operation. Opportunities may be available across day, evening, overnight, and weekend shifts. Final shift assignments will be determined during the selection process.

PreferredSkills

• Experienceinhigh-volume,automatedlogistics,distributionand/ormanufacturing.

KeyCompetenciesforSuccess

• Problem-Solving: Methodicalapproachtoisolatingfaultsunderpressure.
• Collaboration: Workingshoulder-to-shoulderwithengineering,maintenance,andproductionteams.
• ProactiveMindset: Focusonreliabilityratherthanjust "break-fix" repair.

CashCompensation

Total cash compensation ranges from $119,500 - $137,500 annually, which includes annual cash profit sharing based on company profitability.

Benefits

Weoffercomprehensivebenefitstosupportemployeesandtheirdependents,suchas:

• 100%tuitionreimbursement
• Medical,dental,pharmacy,andvisionplanswithnomonthlypremiums
• Industry-leadingcompany-fundedretirementaccounts
• Inclusive,all-genderbenefits
• First-timehomebuyerassistance
• Paidparentalleaveforallnewparents
• Adoptionandsurrogacyassistance
• Paidtimeoffforvacationandpersonaltime

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees a workplace with reasonable accommodations and free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. At McMaster-Carr, we do not make employment decisions based on age, ethnicity, citizenship status, military status, gender identity and expression, race, religion, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected group.

This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship by McMaster-Carr.

Data We Collect

We may collect professional, education and employment-related data, and any assessments made throughout the recruiting process, to evaluate candidacy for employment. To communicate with job applicants, we may collect applicant names, contact information, and other personal identifiers, including those outlined in the California customer records statute. Through voluntary disclosure, we may also collect protected classifications under federal or California law (e.g., race, gender, etc.). For additional details about the personal information we collect and its uses, please click here.