Automation Technician

Automation Technician

Your Job

Phillips-Medisize, a Molex Company, is seeking an experienced Automation Technician to support automated manufacturing equipment at the Menomonie, Wisconsin facility.

This position provides hands-on technical support for complex automated manufacturing systems, with an emphasis on controls, electrical systems, vision systems, sensors, pneumatics, robotics, and equipment troubleshooting. The Automation Technician partners closely with Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Production, and Quality to maximize equipment reliability, productivity, safety, and product quality.

What You Will Do

• Automation Troubleshooting: Diagnose complex equipment failures and drive issues to root cause using PLC diagnostics, machine sequences, electrical schematics, alarms, equipment data, and systematic troubleshooting.
• PLC & Controls Support: Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment, I/O, HMIs, sensors, safety circuits, motors, servo systems, and associated controls.
• Vision Systems: Set up, troubleshoot, and optimize machine-vision inspection systems such as Cognex and Keyence. These technologies are already specifically identified in your Manufacturing Engineer material.
• Electrical Troubleshooting: Diagnose 24 VDC control circuits, industrial power distribution, relays, contactors, power supplies, VFDs, motors, and electrical panels.
• Pneumatics: Troubleshoot pneumatic valves, cylinders, regulators, pressure switches, vacuum systems, and related instrumentation.
• Equipment Reliability: Work with Manufacturing Engineers and Maintenance Technicians to identify recurring equipment failures and implement robust, long-term corrective actions. Your existing staffing material specifically emphasizes collaboration between engineering, automation technicians, maintenance, and production to create timely and long-lasting repairs.
• Continuous Improvement: Participate in equipment improvement projects focused on OEE, cycle time, downtime, yield, scrap reduction, and reliability.
• Equipment Modifications: Support installation, programming, testing, debugging, and documentation of approved automation changes while maintaining the equipment's validated state.
• Technical Documentation: Read and update electrical drawings, equipment documentation, troubleshooting guides, and maintenance procedures.
• Training: Provide technical training and knowledge sharing to Maintenance, Production Technicians, Automation Technicians, and other support personnel.
• Cross-Functional Support: Partner with Manufacturing Engineering, Quality, Production, Maintenance, Safety, IT/OT, equipment vendors, and other technical resources.
• Safety & Quality: Ensure automation work complies with applicable safety, quality, regulatory, and change-control requirements.

Basic Qualifications

• Technical degree/diploma in Automation, Industrial Controls, Mechatronics, Electromechanical Technology, Electronics, or equivalent relevant industrial experience.
• 2+ years of experience with electrical and mechanical troubleshooting with automated manufacturing equipment.
• Working knowledge of PLC-controlled machinery.
• Ability to read electrical prints, schematics, pneumatic diagrams, and mechanical drawings.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial sensors, actuators, motors, pneumatics, and machine-control systems.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Experience with Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley PLCs, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix.
• Experience with Studio 5000 and FactoryTalk HMI systems.
• Experience with Cognex or Keyence vision systems, both identified in your existing job material.
• Experience with servo motion, VFDs, robotics, and safety PLCs.
• Experience with automated assembly equipment.
• Experience supporting medical-device or other regulated manufacturing.
• Experience performing structured root-cause analysis using machine data and downtime history.
• Familiarity with equipment validation, change control, documentation, and maintaining a validated state.
• Experience with SAP maintenance/equipment systems.
• Ability to teach troubleshooting techniques and share automation knowledge with other technicians.

This position does not qualify for VISA Sponsorship

In order to comply with U.S. export control laws and regulations, this position requires applicants to either provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status or be eligible to receive an export authorization (a license) under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations and/or the Export Administration Regulations.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

As a Molex company, Phillips Medisize mobilizes and deploys specialized capabilities and services across highly regulated industries, including health care, regulated consumer, automotive and defense. We design, develop and create innovative and life-changing medical technologies for millions of people around the globe.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, all offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please visit the following website for additional information: http://www.kochcareers.com/doc/Everify.pdf

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