Press and Automation Maintenance Technologist

Press and Automation Maintenance Technologist

Picture the start of your shift inside a high-volume automotive plant. You open the CMMS, scan overnight alerts, and head straight to a transfer press showing intermittent sensor faults. You lock it out, trace the signal through the HMI, verify the PLC input, and spot a fatigued cable on a proximity switch. A quick replacement and calibration bring the line back to full speed. Before break, you complete a lubrication system check on a progressive die cell and log a predictive task to swap a VFD showing abnormal heat next week. That’s a typical hour in this role—keeping complex equipment safe, available, and performing at its best.

What You’ll Do

• Own preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance on stamping presses, transfer systems, conveyors, and other automated production assets.
• Diagnose and repair PLC-controlled machinery, including electrical systems, motor controls, sensors, drives, and HMIs.
• Pinpoint and correct failures across hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electrical subsystems to minimize downtime.
• Read and apply electrical schematics, blueprints, hydraulic diagrams, and OEM manuals to plan and execute repairs.
• Lead root-cause analysis and implement corrective actions that increase reliability and improve OEE.
• Service press feed systems, lubrication systems, die protection devices, and material handling equipment.
• Install, test, and calibrate motors, VFDs, sensors, switches, and industrial control components.
• Document work orders and results using the CMMS, ensuring accurate histories and parts usage.
• Support equipment upgrades, new machine installations, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Work to the highest safety standards, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and OSHA requirements.
• Partner closely with production, engineering, and tooling teams to resolve chronic issues and boost throughput.

What You Bring

• High school diploma or GED required; technical training or completion of an apprenticeship preferred.
• 3+ years of industrial maintenance experience in manufacturing environments.
• Background with stamping presses, automated equipment, or automotive manufacturing strongly preferred.
• Hands-on capability with PLC troubleshooting, motor controls, VFDs, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
• Fluency in reading electrical schematics and mechanical drawings.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting mindset.
• Willingness to work overtime, weekends, and off-shifts as business needs dictate.

Preferred Extras

• Allen-Bradley PLCs and FactoryTalk experience.
• Exposure to robotic automation systems.
• Journeyman Electrician, Industrial Maintenance, or similar credential.
• Welding and fabrication capabilities.

Proficiencies

• PLC troubleshooting
• Maintenance and repair of industrial equipment
• Metal stamping and forming (progressive die)

If you thrive on solving tough equipment problems and take pride in delivering safe, stable, and efficient production, this role will keep you engaged from the first alarm to the last improvement idea of the day.