Manufacturing Automation Technician - PSC102826

Manufacturing Automation Technician - PSC102826

Location: Virginia
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing / Injection molding Automation
Compensation: Starting at $40.25/hour + Shift Differential
Schedule: Rotating 2-2-3 Schedule
Type: Full-Time | Permanent

Status: Confidential Search Active

Position Summary

Plastic Staffing is conducting a confidential search for an experienced Automation & Controls Technician to support a highly automated manufacturing operation in Virginia.

This is a hands-on technical opportunity for an experienced industrial automation professional who enjoys troubleshooting complex control systems, diagnosing equipment behavior, and improving manufacturing performance.

The selected individual will work with advanced automation technologies, including programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), robotics, sensors, vision systems, and industrial communication networks.

Unlike a traditional maintenance position focused primarily on mechanical repairs or component replacement, this role emphasizes understanding how automated manufacturing systems operate, identifying the underlying causes of recurring faults, and ensuring equipment performs according to its intended sequence of operation.

The ideal candidate will have strong troubleshooting and analytical skills, practical experience supporting automated production equipment, and the ability to collaborate with maintenance, engineering, and operations teams to resolve complex technical issues.

This opportunity offers exposure to advanced manufacturing technology, technically challenging troubleshooting responsibilities, and long-term professional development within a collaborative manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Industrial Automation & Controls Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot and diagnose automation-related issues involving PLCs, HMIs, robotics, sensors, vision systems, and industrial control systems.

• Investigate recurring equipment faults, nuisance stops, intermittent failures, timing issues, and unexpected machine behavior.

• Analyze machine sequences of operation to identify potential controls-related problems and determine appropriate corrective actions.

• Diagnose automation problems that cannot be directly attributed to mechanical or electrical component failures.

• Identify issues involving industrial communication networks, control devices, and interactions between automated equipment.

• Support troubleshooting of complex or difficult-to-reproduce automation problems.

• Work with maintenance and engineering teams to distinguish between mechanical, electrical, and controls-related failures.

• Verify proper equipment functionality and system performance following troubleshooting activities.

Manufacturing Systems & Operational Support

• Support automated production equipment to maintain safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations.

• Assist with machine startups, system recovery, and operational validation following maintenance or equipment modifications.

• Verify that automated equipment and control systems perform according to established operating requirements.

• Partner with production, maintenance, and engineering personnel to identify root causes of recurring automation issues.

• Support initiatives to reduce minor equipment stops, recurring faults, and automation-related production losses.

• Assist with testing, troubleshooting, and validation of approved equipment or controls improvements.

• Provide technical support during equipment upgrades, commissioning activities, and system modifications.

Continuous Improvement & Documentation

• Identify opportunities to improve automation reliability, equipment performance, and manufacturing efficiency.

• Participate in structured troubleshooting and root-cause analysis activities.

• Document controls-related investigations, recurring faults, corrective actions, and system changes.

• Maintain accurate technical records and support updates to equipment documentation when required.

• Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams to implement and validate approved improvements.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on reducing downtime and improving automated manufacturing performance.

Safety & Compliance

• Follow established manufacturing safety procedures and applicable electrical safety standards.

• Apply appropriate Lockout/Tagout procedures when working with industrial equipment.

• Maintain awareness of electrical hazards, arc-flash precautions, and safe troubleshooting practices.

• Support safe equipment operation and participate in relevant safety improvement activities.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting industrial automation, controls, or automated Injection molding manufacturing systems.

• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.

• Experience diagnosing issues involving HMIs, industrial automation systems, and robotic equipment.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, and technical documentation.

• Understanding of industrial communication networks, sensors, and automation devices.

• Strong understanding of automated machine sequences and how control systems interact with production equipment.

• Ability to troubleshoot intermittent faults, recurring machine stops, and complex automation-related issues.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root-cause investigation skills.

• Experience working in a manufacturing or industrial production environment.

• Ability to communicate effectively with maintenance technicians, engineers, and production personnel.

• Strong documentation skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to work safely in an active manufacturing environment.

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and climb ladders as required.

• Availability to work a rotating 2-2-3 schedule.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Automation Technology, Mechatronics, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.

• Experience working with Rockwell Automation or Allen-Bradley control systems.

• Experience supporting highly automated manufacturing operations.

• Familiarity with industrial robotics, machine vision systems, and advanced manufacturing automation.

• Experience supporting equipment commissioning, controls validation, or automation improvement projects.

• Experience troubleshooting industrial communication and equipment-integration issues.

• Background in plastics manufacturing, automotive, packaging, consumer goods, or other highly automated manufacturing environments.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The strongest candidate will be an experienced Automation Technician, Controls Technician, PLC Technician, or Mechatronics Technician who understands how automated production systems function and can independently investigate complex equipment behavior.

This individual should be comfortable troubleshooting beyond basic component replacement.

For example, when an automated production line experiences repeated faults or unexpected stops, the ideal candidate can investigate machine sequencing, control signals, sensor feedback, equipment communication, and related system interactions to help identify the underlying issue.

Candidates who have worked in highly automated manufacturing environments and regularly troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, robotics, or integrated production systems are strongly encouraged to apply.

Professionals whose experience is limited primarily to mechanical maintenance, routine electrical repairs, or preventive maintenance without meaningful automation troubleshooting experience may not meet the technical requirements of this opportunity.

Compensation & Schedule

• Starting compensation: $40.25 per hour. + overtime

• Shift differential: Additional compensation for eligible night-shift hours.

• Schedule: Rotating 2-2-3 schedule.

• Employment: Full-time, permanent opportunity.

Confidential Application

Plastic Staffing is conducting this search on behalf of a confidential manufacturing client. The employer's identity and additional company-specific information will be discussed with qualified candidates during the recruiting process. Candidate information will not be submitted to the client without the candidate's knowledge and approval.

Qualified automation and controls professionals interested in learning more are encouraged to apply for confidential consideration.

Maria Abelardo | Recruiting Director
Plastic Staffing | A Division of National Search Group, Inc.
Direct: (754) 241-9507
Email:

maria@plasticstaffing.com

Plastic Staffing is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified candidates.