Automation Specialist

Job Title: Automation Specialist

Job Description

This role supports the maintenance and reliability of highly automated glass manufacturing equipment by troubleshooting, maintaining, and improving PLC-controlled production systems, robotics, and industrial electrical equipment across the facility. You will work closely with maintenance and operations teams to reduce downtime, enhance equipment reliability, and drive continuous improvement initiatives. After a comprehensive training period, you will transition to a swing shift schedule and participate in an on-call rotation to provide emergency support for critical equipment issues.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair Allen Bradley PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment, including ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PLC-5, and SLC 500 systems.
• Support, maintain, and optimize more than a dozen robotic systems used throughout the production lines.
• Diagnose and resolve electrical, automation, and controls-related issues in a high-speed manufacturing environment.
• Install, maintain, and update industrial computers, industrial PCs, and related hardware used in automation systems.
• Perform preventative and predictive maintenance on automation and control systems to improve reliability and uptime.
• Read, interpret, and apply information from electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, drawings, and technical documentation.
• Support equipment upgrades, capital projects, and process improvement initiatives to enhance production performance.
• Work cross-functionally with operations, engineering, and maintenance teams to coordinate maintenance activities and improvements.
• Respond quickly to critical equipment issues to minimize operational downtime and maintain production throughput.
• Troubleshoot sensors, VFDs, motors, relays, control panels, and other industrial electrical equipment.
• Maintain and troubleshoot MCCs, VFDs, motors, gearboxes, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Support HMI-related work, including adjustments, troubleshooting, and improvements to operator interfaces.
• Use CMMS tools to support maintenance activities and documentation, as applicable.
• Participate in an emergency on-call rotation and provide support during swing shift operations.
• Follow established safety procedures and contribute to a safety-focused culture on the production floor.

Essential Skills

• Allen Bradley PLC troubleshooting and programming experience with platforms such as ControlLogix, CompactLogix, PLC-5, SLC 500, Studio 5000, and RSLogix.
• Strong industrial electrical troubleshooting skills in a manufacturing environment.
• Hands-on experience maintaining automated production equipment in a high-speed or continuous process setting.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting sensors, VFDs, motors, relays, control panels, and related control components.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Experience working with robotic production systems, including troubleshooting and maintenance.
• Proven preventive and corrective maintenance experience on automation and electrical systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in fast-paced, high-speed manufacturing or continuous process environments.
• Ability and willingness to work a swing shift schedule after training and to participate in emergency on-call support.
• Practical industry experience in environments such as packaging, bottling, high-speed manufacturing, continuous process manufacturing, glass manufacturing, or industrial maintenance.
• Experience with SCADA or similar supervisory control and data acquisition systems.
• Comfort working in large industrial facilities with automated equipment, moving machinery, and production constraints.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Fanuc robot troubleshooting and maintenance experience.
• Experience with HMI development and improvements for industrial applications.
• Knowledge of industrial networking, including Ethernet/IP and related industrial communication protocols.
• Experience with motor and motion control systems in automated manufacturing environments.
• Experience making PLC programming modifications and improvements to existing control logic.
• Experience in glass manufacturing is highly beneficial.
• Experience in food and beverage, packaging, bottling, or other continuous process manufacturing environments.
• Familiarity with CMMS systems such as SAP or similar maintenance management tools.
• Experience working in a union manufacturing environment.
• Strong computer technology skills related to industrial systems, including computer hardware installation and support for industrial PCs.
• Knowledge of industrial electrical equipment, instrumentation, MCCs, VFDs, motors, gearboxes, and control systems.

Why Work Here?

You will join an industry-leading manufacturer that produces approximately one million glass containers per day in a highly automated environment. The operation offers long-term stability and significant investment in automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technology. A strong union environment provides structured representation, workplace stability, and regular collective bargaining that supports clear wage progression and earning potential. You will benefit from an outstanding benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, retirement savings, and company match opportunities, along with holiday pay and a strong overall compensation structure. The facility promotes skill development in advanced automation and controls, giving you the chance to grow your expertise while working with cutting-edge equipment. With an average employee tenure of about 18 years, the organization demonstrates strong retention and employee satisfaction. You will work with collaborative maintenance and operations teams that prioritize safety and continuous improvement, and you will see the visible impact of your work in a facility that manufactures millions of products daily.

Work Environment

This role is based in a large-scale glass manufacturing facility operating 24/7, with fast-paced, high-volume production lines. The environment is highly automated, utilizing PLCs, robotics, SCADA, and advanced control systems throughout the plant. You can expect exposure to heat, noise, moving machinery, and typical industrial manufacturing conditions. The work involves a combination of hands-on troubleshooting on the production floor and controls work at panels, HMIs, and computer systems. You must be comfortable climbing ladders, walking throughout the facility, and responding quickly to equipment emergencies as they arise. After the training period, you will work a swing shift schedule and participate in an emergency on-call rotation. The facility maintains a strong safety-focused culture, supported by established procedures and ongoing training.

This is a Permanent position based out of Madera, CA.

The pay range for this position is $106000.00 - $106000.00/yr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Excellent benefits package Retirement savings and company match opportunities Holiday pay Union-represented workforce Structured wage growth and long-term career stability Average employee tenure of approximately 18 years Opportunity to work with advanced automation, robotics, and PLC-controlled systems in a highly automated manufacturing environment

This is a fully onsite position in Madera,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.