Automation Technician for Molding or Assembly machines

Job Titles: Automation Technician for Molding or Assembly machines

Company: Medical device Manufacturer

Location: Buffalo Grove or Libertyville IL

Shift: 12 hours 6am to 6pm shift or 6pm to 6am shift for Buffalo Grove site, 8am to 5pm for Libertyville IL site

Job Summary:

The Molding or Assembly Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing molding automation systems, including robotic equipment and auxiliary devices. This role ensures smooth operation of automated molding processes and supports continuous improvement initiatives in a high-volume manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Automation Troubleshooting

•        Diagnose and resolve issues with molding or Assembly automation systems, including robots, conveyors, sensors, and vision systems.

•        Troubleshooting electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical  

•        Respond to alarms and faults in real-time to minimize downtime.

•        Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams to address recurring issues. Robot Programming & Optimization

•        Program and fine-tune molding or assembly machine robots (e.g., Sepro, Fanuc, Yushin, Wittmann) for part handling, degating, and packaging.

•        Modify robot paths and sequences to improve cycle time and part quality.

•        Maintain backups and documentation of robot programs and settings.

Preventive & Corrective Maintenance

•        Perform scheduled maintenance on automation equipment to ensure reliability.

•        Replace worn components and calibrate sensors and actuators.

•        Maintain detailed logs of maintenance activities and equipment performance.

Process Support & Continuous Improvement

•        Support mold trials and new product launches by setting up automation sequences.

•        Recommend and implement improvements to automation layouts and workflows.

•        Participate in kaizen events and lean manufacturing initiatives.

Safety & Compliance

•        Ensure all automation systems operate within safety guidelines.

•        Maintain compliance with ISO, FDA, and GMP standards where applicable.

Qualifications:

•        Education:

•        High School Diploma or GED required.

•        Technical certification or associate’s degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, or Industrial Automation preferred.

•        Experience:

•        2–5 years of experience in injection molding or assembly machine automation or related field.

•        Hands-on experience with robot programming and troubleshooting.

•        Skills:

•        Strong understanding of PLCs, HMIs, and industrial sensors.

•        Ability to read electrical and mechanical schematics.

•        Familiarity with EOAT (End-of-Arm Tooling) design and maintenance.

•        Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.