POSITION SUMMARY
The Electrical Engineering / Automation Technician plays a key role in improving the reliability, modernization, and performance of the plant’s production equipment. This hands-on position bridges day-to-day technical support with long-term equipment improvement and plant modernization.
The role combines two primary responsibilities:
Technical support to the Maintenance Department, particularly in troubleshooting and resolving electrical, electronic, instrumentation, and automation-related issues.
Development and execution of improvement, automation, and robotics projects aimed at increasing equipment reliability, safety, productivity, capacity, and overall operational efficiency.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Technical Support & Maintenance
Support the maintenance team in diagnosing and resolving complex issues on production equipment.
Troubleshoot electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and automated systems.
Diagnose issues related to PLCs, HMIs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo drives and motors, sensors, control systems, industrial networks, and machine safety systems.
Actively support major breakdowns to minimize equipment downtime.
Perform failure analysis and identify root causes of recurring equipment issues.
Develop and implement permanent corrective solutions rather than repeatedly repairing the same failures.
Support the development of troubleshooting methods and transfer technical knowledge to the maintenance team.
Participate in preventive and predictive maintenance improvements for electrical and automation components.
Document modifications and improvements made to equipment.
Automation & Equipment Improvement
Identify automation opportunities to improve safety, productivity, quality, and equipment reliability.
Design, program, test, and commission modifications to existing automated systems.
Modify and optimize PLC and HMI programs on production equipment.
Participate in modernization of control systems and replacement of obsolete components.
Develop plant automation standards to reduce technology variation and simplify maintenance support.
Participate in the integration and commissioning of new production equipment.
Develop solutions to improve machine cycle time, downtime, changeovers, process controls, and defect detection.
Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.
Robotics
Identify manual operations that could benefit from automation or robotics.
Participate in feasibility studies and the development of robotics projects.
Develop or coordinate the integration of industrial robots and cobots, pick-and-place systems, machine vision, palletizing/depalletizing, automated case packing, conveyors, and material handling systems.
Collaborate with external integrators and suppliers during design, installation, programming, and commissioning.
Ensure knowledge transfer to Maintenance and Production teams following implementation.
Reliability & Continuous Improvement
Analyze breakdown and downtime data to identify major sources of equipment losses.
Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and associated corrective action plans.
Identify equipment and components presenting obsolescence or reliability risks.
Develop electrical and automation modernization plans for critical equipment.
Contribute to initiatives aimed at improving OEE, reducing downtime, and increasing production capacity.
Participate in cost reduction and operational performance improvement projects.
Support new technologies that improve production data collection, monitoring, and utilization.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
Participate in defining project requirements and technical specifications.
Evaluate technical solutions, obtain and analyze supplier proposals, and estimate project costs and benefits.
Participate in the preparation of CAPEX requests when required.
Coordinate activities with suppliers, integrators, contractors, and internal teams.
Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) when required.
Support and supervise installation, startup, and commissioning activities.
Ensure proper technical documentation and training following implementation.
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION & STANDARDS
Maintain electrical drawings and equipment technical documentation.
Ensure proper backup and version control of PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, and other programmable system files.
Develop standards for electrical and automation components.
Participate in standardization of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and other critical components.
Document critical equipment parameters to facilitate troubleshooting and recovery.
Develop troubleshooting procedures and technical guides for the maintenance team.
QUALIFICATIONS
Diploma of College Studies (DEC) in Electrical Engineering Technology - Automation and Controls, Electrodynamics, Instrumentation and Control, or equivalent technical education.
Relevant experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Strong knowledge of industrial electrical troubleshooting and automation.
Experience with PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting.
Knowledge of VFDs, servo systems, sensors, industrial control systems, and industrial communication networks.
Ability to read, understand, troubleshoot, and modify electrical schematics.
Experience with industrial robot programming, integration, or troubleshooting is a strong asset.
Experience with machine vision systems is considered an asset.
Knowledge of machine safety standards and safety circuits.
Experience in a high-speed automated manufacturing environment is considered an asset.
KEY COMPETENCIES
Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
Hands-on, shop-floor-oriented approach.
Ability to move from immediate troubleshooting to root cause analysis and permanent corrective solutions.
Strong autonomy, accountability, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
Technical curiosity and interest in emerging technologies.
Continuous improvement mindset.
Ability to work effectively with Maintenance and Production teams.
Ability to communicate with suppliers, integrators, contractors, and technical partners.
Ability to document and transfer technical knowledge to other team members.
