Industrial Automation Maintenance Technologist — Injection Molding

Picture This

A molding press trips an alarm mid-run. A robot stalls. A vision sensor misreads a part. You arrive with a meter in one hand and a plan in mind. You trace the fault through the PLC inputs, verify an interlock, replace a suspect sensor, and bring the cell back online—safely, quickly, and with a note on how to prevent it next time. If this sounds like your kind of day, this role is for you.

What You’ll Own

• Keep plastic injection molding presses and automation performing at their best—hot runners, thermolators, thermocouples, bowl feeders, 6-axis robots, vision/camera systems, and PLC-based equipment.
• Respond to downtime and abnormal conditions, restoring equipment to safe, stable operation.
• Diagnose electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls issues; service control panels using schematics and technical docs.
• Replace and commission sensors, motors, drives, relays, and wiring; validate field devices, I/O, interlocks, and automation sequences.
• Support mold changes, startups, and changeovers to meet production schedules.
• Execute and improve preventive maintenance—schedule tasks, analyze failure history, and refine PM content for better reliability.

How You’ll Partner

• Work closely with production and operations to prioritize work and minimize impact.
• Coordinate with vendors and OEMs for troubleshooting help, parts, training, and upgrades.
• Recommend spares and component improvements; maintain tidy, work-ready maintenance areas.
• Document activities thoroughly—issues found, root causes, repair steps, and follow-ups.

Team Role

No direct reports. You’ll still influence outcomes by advising teammates on safe practices, quick recoveries, and sound troubleshooting.

Your Call When It Matters

• Stop or shut down equipment to protect people and assets.
• Repair within your scope and training; escalate major breakdowns and controls challenges.
• Propose maintenance enhancements and vendor engagement.
• Support return-to-service after work is completed.

Skills That Set You Apart

• In-depth knowledge of injection molding equipment, processes, and tooling.
• Automation literacy: robots, bowl feeders, vision systems, cameras, and PLCs.
• Electrical troubleshooting mastery—sensors, motors, drives, relays, wiring; reading schematics and working inside panels.
• Solid grasp of hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanics, and industrial controls.
• Experience with mold changes, startups, and equipment adjustments under production pressure.
• Clear, accurate documentation and collaboration across teams and vendors.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office or similar for reports and maintenance logs.

Measures of Success

• Uptime improvements across molding and automation assets.
• On-schedule PM completion with quality outcomes.
• Fast, safe responses to breakdowns and alarms.
• Reduced repeat failures and scrap tied to equipment condition.
• Reliable, complete maintenance records.

Background We’re Seeking

Minimum

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years in industrial maintenance within manufacturing.
• Experience supporting plastic injection molding in production.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and work on industrial electrical systems.
• Experience with automation, controls, or robotics in a manufacturing setting.

Preferred

• Senior/journeyman-level maintenance experience.
• Technical training in electrical, mechatronics, or industrial maintenance.
• Hands-on with 6-axis robots, automated work cells, vision systems, bowl feeders, and PLC automation.
• Track record building or optimizing PM programs.
• Experience with mold changes, startup activity, and process-related troubleshooting.
• OEM training on robots, presses, automation systems, or related technologies.

Where & When You’ll Work

• Day shift, Monday–Friday.
• Occasional weekends, overtime, schedule shifts, and off-hours support as needed.
• Active plant environment with molding machines, automation, moving equipment, electrical systems, heat, and typical factory noise.
• Occasional domestic travel for training, vendor support, or equipment projects.

Physical Realities

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, reaching, crouching, and tool use; repetitive motions.
• Periodic desk/computer work.
• Lift up to 50 lbs.
• Visual acuity for reading technical materials and inspecting equipment/components.
• Manual dexterity for tools, test equipment, and data entry.

Safety Culture

• Follow safety rules and procedures; practice lockout/tagout rigorously.
• Report hazards, near misses, injuries, and equipment risks; support corrective/preventive actions.
• Work safely during troubleshooting, repairs, mold changes, startups/shutdowns, and recoveries.

Core Proficiencies

• Mechanical troubleshooting
• 120/208/240/480 VAC power systems
• Electrical troubleshooting
• Maintenance and repair fundamentals
• Industrial electrical experience and systems
• Equipment diagnostics
• Mechanical systems and component repair
• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

Tech You’ll Touch

• Injection Molding Machines: Engel, Haitian
• PLC Platforms: Fanuc, Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi
• Vision Systems: Keyence

Other Requirements

• Must be able to successfully complete pre-employment screenings, including a background check, in accordance with company policy and applicable law.

Plus

Demonstrated working knowledge of LOTO and consistent application of safe maintenance practices in an industrial setting.