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Automation Technician III

Location:3200 Fruit Ridge Ave, Walker, MI 49544

Who We Are:
Challenge’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!

Together we own Safety! Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

Provide production support by performing setup, troubleshooting and operations of automated welding cells within a production facility, as well as implementing best practices and proactively assess welding/robotic applications, as well as mentor Automation Technician I and II team members

What You'll Do:

  • Mentor Automation Technician level I & II members as well as Weld Technicians
  • Ability to execute with proficiency all duties and responsibilities requirements of Automation technician II.
  • Follow all safety procedures and protocols while servicing or maintaining equipment.
  • Demonstrate advanced level proficiency in troubleshooting using electrical / mechanical prints.
  • Use electrical system knowledge and electrical schematics / prints to troubleshoot electrical components and circuits (Connecting circuit breakers, transformers, or other components in a junction box or panel).
  • Ability to perform intermediate level tasks (with electrician supervision):
  • Wiring harnesses
  • Drive systems
  • Relays
  • Boards
  • Motors
  • Modify and perform intermediate programming tasks of robots in all robotic applications.
  • Basic Offline Programming using RoboCAD/Robot Studio.
  • TCP Verification
  • I/O Simulation.
  • Move Creation/Modification.
  • Zone Setups.
  • Intermediate weld troubleshooting for all welding applications (drawn arc, GMAW, resistance welding, projection welding, Pneumatic systems, etc.)
  • Fixture adjustments – minor shim moves on processes based off of manufacture details (with guidance from a Weld Maintenance Mechanic III or Manufacturing Engineer).
  • Understanding of shimming processes.
  • Setup and troubleshoot Poke Yoke systems and applications.
  • Automation Technician III must demonstrate competency in (1) of the below specialties:
  • PLC Programming
  • Intermediate PLC programming (add sensor & change sequence)
  • Strong understanding of ladder logic and intermediate level ability to troubleshoot issues through a PLC
  • Program Panel View (HMI)
  • Troubleshoot/ Setup I/O blocks
  • Search, cross reference, and edit a program
  • Troubleshoot HMI system
  • Load program
  • Replace components (i.e., logical module, screen, etc.)
  • Replace system, set IP address, set system name
  • Troubleshoot Valve Stacks
  • Intermediate robot programming methods
  • Load ID
  • Gun Tuning
  • Adding system components (i.e., add valves/ I/O blocks)
  • Program robot offline (write routines)
  • Setup / troubleshoot issues with tool changers
  • Setup / troubleshoot issues with external axes
  • TCP creation and verification (experience with ABB Bullseye system is a plus)
  • Creating offset positions
  • Replace motors, resolvers, serial pulse coders
  • Intermediate Weld Troubleshooting
  • If needed, rebuild or reload schedules. Make changes as directed by Weld Engineers using RAFT
  • Emhart DA schedule changes as directed by Weld Engineers
  • Conduct preventive maintenance activities on specialty equipment
  • MIG weld schedule changes as directed by Weld Engineers
  • Cap / Electrode studies and weld validation
  • Calibrate squeeze force on spot weld guns
  • Troubleshoot Drawn Arc Stud Welding issues as well as basic programming
  • Troubleshoot/ setup projection welds
  • Working knowledge of Miyachi Weld Tester

When and Where:

This will be a 2nd Shift 2:00pm to 10:00pm M-F position located at our Plant in Walker, MI

What You Need to Have:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent (required).
  • Ability to obtain industrial truck and aerial platform licenses (required).
  • Excellent verbal communication skills (required).
  • Experience with Microsoft applications (i.e., word, excel, outlook, etc.).
  • Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (internal candidates).
  • Successful completion of Automation Technician II written and performance tests (internal and external candidates).
  • Knowledge of PLC systems and Intermediate programming methods (required).
  • Industrial Maintenance / Machine Repair / Electrician Journeyman certification, or 2-year technical degree, or equivalent work experience (required).
  • Minimum 3 years of Weld Technician, Automation Technician, or equivalent experience (required).
  • Mechatronics certificate or journeyperson card (preferred).
  • Associates degree in mechatronics, controls, maintenance technician (preferred).
  • Minimum 6 years combined experience and education as an Automation Technician or equivalent experience and education (preferred).
  • Strong electrical and mechanical background in industrial and automated systems (preferred).

What We Offer:
We’re excited to offer a range of awesome benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options, an Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, a Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off.

Please note, while these benefits are part of what we offer, they may not all apply to this specific role. The details shared in this job description are intended to give you a general idea, but duties and responsibilities may evolve over time, with or without notice. And of course, we’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their role.