Lead Automation Maintenance Technician

Position Summary

The Automation Maintenance Technician Lead supports the plant needs in regards to all automation equipment to achieve the production plan and improve process performance. Support and actively manage planned and unplanned equipment downtime. Identify and designate proper resources to resolve high priority demand work. Work with Engineering, Planning and Operations to ensure all maintenance repairs are communicated and completed in accordance with our production plans and standard procedures. Identify and report on equipment trends and work with supervision and engineering to apply the necessary corrective and preventative actions in place in order to maximize equipment efficiencies and minimize unplanned downtime. Duties are performed in a high volume, high speed, light manufacturing environment where individuals are involved with overhauling equipment and the installation of new equipment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Attend the daily automation huddle and communicate updates.


• Provide concise written and verbal updates throughout the day on high priority maintenance activities with production, planning and engineering.


• Provide direction to maintenance staff on shifting priorities and level the workload as necessary based on production needs.


• Responsible for identifying when engineering is required to assist in the repair of equipment and will provide written documentation of trending and adverse conditions that warrant and facilitate engineering assistance.


• Lead and drive continuous improvement efforts on the production floor that positively impact departmental goals and key plant metrics.


• Facilitate on-boarding and training of machine operators and new automation technicians.


• Performs basic and routine machine maintenance functions, such as cleans, checks, and prepares presses and other production machinery to support operations.


• Operate lathes, mills, grinders, sanders, power tools and hand tools.


• Perform preventative maintenance.


• Improve and modify equipment. 


• Perform equipment capability studies.


• Interface with other departments.


• Coordinate activities to ensure departmental compliance to all Federal, State, Local and Company regulatory requirements. These elements include FDA, EPA, OSHA, ISO, EEOC and Company policies relative to the manufacture of product, Lot control requirements, documentation requirements, housekeeping, preventative maintenance, calibration, associate training and safety (equipment, associate and material).


• Perform these and other duties as necessary or required, the inclusion of which will not alter the basic scope of the position


• Work on special projects as they arise

Knowledge, Skills & Qualifications

• Must be able to lead by example and have the ability to influence and train others


• Actively demonstrating support through interactions with solid communication skills, attitude, dedication, commitment, respect, pride and trust.


• Must be able to read and understand procedures


• Basic computer skills, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word), Oracle


• Excellent verbal/written communication and customer service skills


• Highly disciplined, problem-solver, logical thinking, troubleshooting, team player with a strong work ethic


• Self-motivated and ability to work independently


• Must have good mechanical and electrical aptitude


• Demonstrate ability to safely and competently manipulate various hand and power tools


• Strong mechanical aptitude needed. 


• Knowledge of the following equipment: hand tools, lathes, grinders, drills, and power tools. 


• Knowledge of electronics in the form of PLCs, photo sensors, I/O readouts and data gathering.

Education and Experience 

• Must be 18 years of age


• High School diploma or equivalent


• Minimum five years’ work experience as a Technician on automated assembly equipment, with two to three of those years in electronics, mechanics, science and physics.


• Previous Lead or Supervisor experience desired.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Work is performed in a clean room environment


• While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to sit or stand for long periods of time; depending on the machine they are operating


• Operator is required to use computer or touch screen to enter work order data


• Must be able to occasionally move and lift objects of up to 50 lbs.


• Typically requires travel less than 5% of the time