Automation Technician

Job Description Summary

GE Vernova’s Gas Power business engineers advanced, efficient natural gas-powered technologies and services, along with decarbonization solutions that aim to help electrify a lower carbon future. It is a global leader in gas turbines and power plant technologies and services with the industry’s largest installed base

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities

Advanced Automation & Robotics Support

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize robotic systems, automated equipment, and manufacturing cells used in production.
• Perform advanced fault isolation across integrated systems including robots, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, conveyors, end-of-arm tooling, safety circuits, and peripheral equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve complex equipment issues involving multiple failure modes across electrical, mechanical, controls, and process interactions.
• Lead technical troubleshooting during high-impact downtime events, using a systematic approach to identify root cause and restore operation safely and efficiently.
• Evaluate recurring failures and chronic equipment losses to determine whether issues stem from component wear, programming logic, process variation, setup conditions, operator interaction, or system design limitations.
• Serve as the escalation point for difficult automation and robotics problems that cannot be resolved through standard maintenance practices.

Controls, Programming, and Diagnostics

• Troubleshoot and support PLC logic, robot programs, CNC interfaces, servo systems, VFDs, and HMI-controlled processes.
• Perform I/O diagnostics, signal tracing, device verification, and communication troubleshooting across control panels and machine networks.
• Make controlled program edits, parameter adjustments, and recovery changes within approved procedures and change management expectations.
• Analyze alarms, faults, interlocks, sequence issues, and machine state conditions to identify hidden causes of equipment stoppage or performance degradation.
• Support backup, restoration, and version control of robot, PLC, and HMI programs in coordination with engineering and controls teams.
• Assist in validating control system changes and startup performance after repairs, upgrades, or process adjustments.

Reliability, Root Cause, and Continuous Improvement

• Drive a structured troubleshooting culture using root cause analysis tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, fault trees, Pareto review, and failure trend analysis.
• Investigate chronic downtime, nuisance faults, repeat failures, and intermittent issues with the goal of eliminating recurrence.
• Identify weak points in equipment design, maintenance strategy, spare parts readiness, component selection, or operating practice and recommend durable corrective actions.
• Participate in and support reliability-centered maintenance activities including PM optimization, predictive maintenance, spare parts strategy, FMEA, TPM, and critical asset planning.
• Use historical downtime data, alarm history, failure patterns, and maintenance records to prioritize improvement efforts.
• Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions that improve machine reliability, process stability, throughput, and safety.

System Integration & Technical Improvement

• Support automation engineers with equipment upgrades, controls modifications, retrofits, and integration of new automation technologies.
• Participate in commissioning, startup, debug, and validation of new robotic cells, automation systems, and production equipment.
• Assist in proving out system functionality after installation or major maintenance, including verification of machine performance, safety systems, communications, and process repeatability.
• Recommend and help implement improvements to increase equipment robustness, reduce cycle interruptions, improve fault recovery, and simplify maintenance access.
• Support integration and troubleshooting of industrial communication systems including EtherNet/IP, Profinet, device-level networks, remote I/O, and smart instrumentation.
• Contribute technical input to capital projects, controls upgrades, and equipment redesign efforts based on hands-on operational experience.

Production and Process Support

• Respond rapidly to equipment downtime while balancing immediate recovery with thorough technical evaluation.
• Work cross-functionally with production, engineering, and quality teams to resolve process-related automation issues that affect output, scrap, repeatability, or product quality.
• Distinguish between machine faults, process faults, programming issues, setup errors, and operator-driven variation in order to apply the right corrective action.
• Support product and process changeovers requiring advanced equipment adjustment, reteaching, recalibration, or program verification.
• Assist in developing robust recovery methods for process interruptions to minimize scrap and unplanned downtime.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to maintenance technicians and operators on equipment behavior, fault recovery, and basic troubleshooting practices.

Documentation, Standardization, and Knowledge Capture

• Maintain detailed records of troubleshooting findings, root cause conclusions, corrective actions, program changes, and equipment modifications.
• Update electrical schematics, troubleshooting guides, recovery procedures, PM documents, and maintenance work instructions as needed.
• Document lessons learned from major failures and support creation of troubleshooting standards to improve future response.
• Help build technical documentation that improves repeatability, accelerates diagnosis, and reduces dependency on tribal knowledge.
• Ensure all repairs, modifications, and adjustments are properly communicated and recorded in accordance with site procedures.

Safety, Risk Reduction, and Compliance

• Follow all GE Vernova, local site, and regulatory safety requirements related to electrical systems, robotics, automation equipment, and machine safeguarding.
• Execute and support lockout/tagout, arc flash awareness, stored energy isolation, and machine safety verification activities.
• Troubleshoot and maintain safety systems including light curtains, interlocks, guarding, safety relays, safety PLCs, and emergency stop circuits.
• Identify equipment conditions that create safety, quality, or reliability risk and escalate or correct them appropriately.
• Support safe startup and restart of automated systems following maintenance, fault recovery, or system modification.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Associate degree, technical diploma, or certification in one of the following:
  • Mechatronics
  • Robotics
  • Industrial Automation
  • Electrical Technology
  • Mechanical Technology
  • Controls Technology
    or equivalent hands-on experience
• 4+ years of experience in a manufacturing, automation, robotics, or advanced maintenance environment.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting integrated industrial equipment beyond routine component replacement.
• Working knowledge of:
  • industrial robotics
  • PLC-controlled systems
  • industrial electrical systems
  • servo and motion systems
  • mechanical power transmission
  • pneumatic and hydraulic systems
  • machine safety systems
• Flexibility: Willingness to work A, B, or C Shift.
  • A: 5AM - 3:30PM (MON, TUES, WED, TH)
  • B: 3:30PM - 2AM (MON, TUES, WED, TH)
  • C: 6AM - 6:30PM (FRI, SAT, SUN)

Desired Education/Experience

• Experience supporting complex automated manufacturing systems with multiple integrated subsystems.
• Experience with industrial robots and cobots such as:
  • FANUC
  • KUKA
  • ABB
  • Yaskawa Motoman
• Familiarity with PLC and controls platforms such as:
  • Siemens
  • Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
• Experience with:
  • servo drives and motion control
  • VFDs and motor control systems
  • industrial networks such as EtherNet/IP and Profinet
  • vision systems
  • automated conveyors and material handling
  • safety PLCs and machine guarding systems
  • data collection or condition monitoring tools
• Experience participating in root cause investigations, reliability improvement efforts, and startup/commissioning activities.
• Ability to read and interpret:
  • electrical schematics
  • ladder logic
  • panel layouts
  • P&IDs
  • mechanical drawings
  • robot and automation documentation

Key Skills

• Advanced troubleshooting and fault isolation
• Root cause analysis and structured problem solving
• Robotics and automation system diagnostics
• PLC, HMI, and controls troubleshooting
• Electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic diagnostics
• Ability to diagnose intermittent and systemic failures
• Strong technical judgment under production pressure
• Continuous improvement and reliability mindset
• Clear communication across maintenance, engineering, and operations teams
• Technical documentation and knowledge sharing
• Ability to work independently on complex problems with limited supervision

Other Requirements/Responsibilities

• Obey all safety rules including wearing personal protective equipment such as safety toe shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protection in designated areas.
• Comply with all practices and procedures including the GE Vernova Bangor Handbook, the Code of Mutual Respect, and the GE Vernova Spirit & Letter.
• Qualify for and utilize specialized personal protective equipment (e.g. respirator, arc flash and fall protection), as required for the position.
• Perform a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities by effectively utilizing cross-training and multi-skilling. This includes, but is not limited to, operating multiple machines simultaneously within the same shop/area and based on business needs.
• Foster a safety culture by engaging in and supporting Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) audits, training sessions, related activities, and compliance with Life-Saving Rules (LSR).
• Ensure that all products consistently meet or exceed the quality standards and customer expectations. Additionally, identify and address any quality issues promptly to maintain high standards and customer satisfaction.
• Deliver the products/services right the first time, every time, with focus, using standard work and lean to ensure both safety and quality objectives are met and sustained.
• Embrace innovation and a continuous improvement/lean mindset through collaborative efforts with Safety/Quality/Delivery/Cost/Culture initiatives supporting the overall success of the Bangor and GE Vernova Teams.
• Innovate and solve problems rapidly with rigor, transparency, and to Stop Work when needed.
• Complete all required certifications promptly and within designated timeframes.
• Adhere to established company standard work procedures and continuously seek process improvements.
• Complete all required training promptly and thoroughly.
• Treat others with dignity and respect while being committed to proactively solving problems, raising concerns, and working collaboratively as one team.
• Communicate with transparency, integrity, and respect to foster positive working relationships.
• Take ownership of work and roles/responsibilities so each individual and each team is accountable for delivering on commitments.

Job Assessment/Interview Requirements

• Must successfully pass an assessment to demonstrate knowledge and ability in utilizing significant mechanical, electrical, and programmable logic controller experience and troubleshooting.
• Interview based role

Pay Transparency: The starting pay rate for this position is $43.2016/hr plus a 10% shift bonus. The position will remain open until a candidate is identified for offer.

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