Who We Are: Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.
Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!
Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!
Who We Want:
We are looking for a hands-on technical training professional who can help strengthen our skilled trades and automation capability across the organization. This role supports technical workforce development by designing, delivering, and continuously improving training for robotics, controls, PLCs, and other industrial automation skills. The ideal candidate is both technically credible and an effective instructor who can translate complex concepts into practical, job-ready skills for plant teams.
What You’ll Do:
- Deliver instructor-led and hands-on training for industrial robotics platforms, including Fanuc and ABB systems.
- Teach robot fundamentals, including teaching pendant navigation, program creation and editing, tool and frame setup, motion instruction, cycle optimization, and cell start-up and recovery procedures.
- Train teams on robotic safety standards, interlocks, and safe work practices within automated cells.
- Develop and deliver Allen-Bradley PLC training, including PLC fundamentals and architecture, ladder logic interpretation, input/output troubleshooting, sensor and actuator diagnostics, fault recovery, and downtime response.
- Facilitate train-the-trainer courses for plant-level subject matter experts supporting internal certification programs.
- Demonstrate and teach effective electrical troubleshooting practices within robotic cells and automated production environments.
- Support the development of structured technical learning pathways for maintenance technicians, controls technicians, and other technical roles across the organization.
- Support the development and delivery of hands-on competency-based skills evaluations.
- Develop practical learning tools, including programming exercises, troubleshooting simulations, equipment start-up checklists, job aids, and quick-reference guides.
- Use training outcomes to drive measurable plant impact, including reduced automation downtime, faster troubleshooting response, improved safety in robotic environments, and increased internal technical capability.
- Evaluate technical skills using practical assessments, demonstrations, and performance-based validation.
- Schedule, lead, and participate in apprentice progress reviews to evaluate development, document feedback, identify training needs, and support continued growth within the apprenticeship program.
- Maintain training documentation and competency records through the learning management system.
When and Where:
This is a 1st shift, Monday–Friday position located at our facility in Walker, MI or Pontiac, MI. Travel to other plant locations may be required to support training delivery, plant readiness, and technical workforce development initiatives.
Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.
What You Need to Have:
- Minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in robotics, PLCs, industrial automation, technical training, or a closely related technical role.
- Demonstrated ability to train and support Fanuc and ABB robotic programming, operations, troubleshooting, and safe recovery practices.
- Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting in a production environment.
- Knowledge of ladder logic fundamentals, control system diagnostics, industrial electrical systems, and automation fault response.
- Ability to teach PLC concepts clearly to technicians and plant teams.
- Proven ability to teach complex technical concepts to diverse plant audiences.
- Strong facilitation, coaching, and instructional delivery skills.
- Comfortable training directly on the production floor, in lab settings, and in classroom environments.
- Demonstrated proficiency with Fanuc HandlingTool, iRProgrammer, or comparable robot programming tools.
- Demonstrated proficiency with ABB RobotStudio or comparable ABB programming and simulation tools.
- Advanced troubleshooting knowledge of Allen-Bradley PLCs in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Strong working knowledge of OSHA and RIA robotic safety standards and safe work practices in automated cells.
- Maintains high standards of performance, preparation, and instructional quality.
- Takes ownership of actions, outcomes, and continuous improvement opportunities.
Career Level Consideration: This position is posted as a Technical Trainer role. Candidates who bring a higher level of demonstrated expertise in robotics, controls, automation troubleshooting, instructional design, and plant-level technical leadership may be considered for a Senior Technical Trainer level based on experience, qualifications, and overall fit for the business need.