Mechatronics Technician Apprentice (Trainee)

Job Summary

This is an entry level training position within the manufacturing departments of the Development and Manufacturing organization. This position is a machine operator role that is coupled with an apprenticeship program to develop skills needed to perform as a Mechatronics Technician.

The apprentice will participate in a department rotation program learning about the key processes involved in manufacturing. Additionally, the apprentice will receive 8,000 hours of education and on-the-job training outlined in a highly structured program to obtain certification from the United States Department of Labor as a Mechatronics Technician. 

Phoenix Contact will cover 100% of the tuition costs for the Apprentice to obtain an associate's degree in Mechatronics. 

Key Responsibilities

• Learn the technical side of Phoenix Contact products for a better understanding of production methods and resources.


• Learn how to operate various equipment and machinery in the manufacturing area, first as the line operator with the continuous transition into a Mechatronics Technician


• Learn how to monitor and analyze equipment performance and take actions to optimize machine performance for efficient production.


• Assist Mechatronics Technicians to troubleshoot, maintain, repair, and interpret various mechanical and electrical aspects of automatic and semi-automatic equipment, such as mechanical and pneumatic, PLC, and PC-based driven systems.


• Understand quality standards, control quality revisions and non-conformances within the camera programs and software. 


• Review for better understanding machine enhancements, improvements, and development with Phoenix Contact machine build and Manufacturing Engineering department.


• Design basic mechanical tooling drawings when required in AutoCAD  


• Must be able to learn the process used to identify controller and I/O faults, diagnose specific cause, identify defective part, debug control program, and restore system function in a timely manner.


• Understand how to maintain spare parts list and spare parts system to support equipment.


• Participate in preventative maintenance programs on all automatic and semi-automatic equipment.


• Work closely with machine operators and provide technical support when able.


• Follow necessary PPE requirements, appropriate ISO specifications and company procedures.

Must-Have Qualifications

• High School Diploma with a GPA of 2.5 or higher or Vocational School Diploma with a GPA of 2.5 or higher 


• Ability to attend technical training classes at local colleges and technical training centers as required by the Mechatronics Technician Program to fulfill educational mandates


• Willing to pursue an Associate Degree in Mechatronics 


• Successful completion of aptitude testing


• Electro-mechanical knowledge and experience

Essential Job Functions:

• Able to lift at least 50 pounds.


• Able to use pallet jack with 300-pound load.


• Able to use portable staircase and climb to 12-foot heights.


• Able to carry 20 pound/ 3 cubic feet boxes up and down portable staircase.


• Able to push 4-wheeled cart with 100-pound load.


• Able to work a 6-day week, if required.


• Able to stand or sit continually for four hours without break.


• Able to travel to offsite locations including German Headquarters for periods of up to 3 to 5 weeks.


• Able to use computer for fours at a time without break


• Able to drive to local supplier, in own vehicle, at short notice.


• Able to travel to offsite locations including German Headquarters for periods of up to 3 to 6 weeks


• Must be able to speak and understand English to communicate verbally and in writing


• Punctuality and attendance in accordance with company policies

Perks & Benefits

Phoenix Contact offers a generous benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k matching, and a generous time off package. There are also a wide variety of additional benefits available including 16 weeks fully paid maternity leave & 10 weeks fully paid paternity leave, life insurance, short & long-term disability, on-site gym access, health & wellbeing center, on-site café, walking trails, tuition assistance, and more!

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_{Phoenix Contact is committed to the diversity of our employees. We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.}

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_{Notice to Staffing Agencies, Placement Services, and Professional Recruiters:}

_{Phoenix Contact has an internal Staffing Department. Recruiters are hereby specifically directed NOT to contact Phoenix Contact employees directly in an attempt to present candidates. Phoenix Contact will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to Phoenix Contact, including unsolicited resumes sent to a Phoenix Contact mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Phoenix Contact employees, or to Phoenix Contact’s resume database will be considered Phoenix Contact property. Phoenix Contact will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. Phoenix Contact will consider any candidate for whom a Recruiter has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Recruiter free of any charges or fees. Phoenix Contact will not pay a fee to any Recruiter that does not have a signed Phoenix Contact contract in place specific to the position for which the resume was submitted. Recruiting vendor agreements will only be valid if in writing and signed by Phoenix Contact's Head of People & Organization or his or her designee. No other Phoenix Contact employee is authorized to bind Phoenix Contact to any agreement regarding the placement of candidates by Recruiters. By submitting a candidate to Phoenix Contact, recruiters agree to be bound and comply with this policy.}