Production Automation Controls Technician

Job Description

Job Description

About the Role

At Publication Printers, your day begins where high-speed production meets precision troubleshooting. Picture this: a photoeye misreads, a press pauses, and you’re on site with a meter and laptop, tracing signals through PLC I/O, validating a safety circuit, and bringing the line back to life—safely and efficiently. That’s the heartbeat of this role.

What You’ll Experience Day-to-Day

You’ll work hands-on with production machinery—not building electrical installation—focusing on controls, sensors, drives, and electrical/electronic systems that keep our equipment running reliably. You’ll interpret schematics, diagnose faults across PLCs and VFDs, swap or rewire components, and document everything clearly for the next shift.

Where and When

• Location: Denver, Colorado area
• Shift: Day Shift, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Schedules:
  • Schedule A: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and every other Sunday
  • Schedule C: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and every other Sunday

What You’ll Work On

• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, electronic, and controls issues on production equipment
• Diagnose PLC I/O, sensors, relays, contactors, safety circuits, control panels, motors, drives, encoders, photoeyes, and limit switches
• Read and apply electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, machine drawings, panel layouts, and OEM docs
• Support and troubleshoot variable frequency drives, servo drives, motor starters, and related control circuits
• Assist with PLC diagnostics: monitor inputs/outputs, isolate failed components, and support program-related checks
• Use multimeters, diagnostic tools, and laptop-based software to pinpoint failures
• Replace, wire, and test sensors, motors, drives, relays, fuses, power supplies, switches, contactors, circuit boards, and similar components
• Perform preventive maintenance to reduce downtime and increase reliability
• Support pressroom, bindery, finishing, packaging, and other production areas
• Partner with mechanics, operators, supervisors, vendors, and OEM technical support
• Assist with machine upgrades, control improvements, installations, moves, and reliability projects
• Document troubleshooting steps, repairs, parts usage, equipment condition, and follow-ups
• Follow lockout/tagout and all company safety procedures
• Perform other maintenance-related duties as assigned

Must-Have Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting industrial equipment, production machinery, or electrical/control systems
• Ability to read/interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, machine drawings, and OEM documentation
• Experience working on electrical/electronic control systems for industrial or production equipment
• Working knowledge of sensors, relays, contactors, motors, motor starters, safety circuits, control panels, and industrial wiring
• Skilled with a multimeter and diagnostic tools for electrical and controls troubleshooting
• Logical problem solver—diagnose before replacing parts
• Safety-first mindset around energized and de-energized equipment, following company procedures
• Ability to work independently while communicating clearly with maintenance and production leadership
• Willingness to document findings, repairs, and follow-up actions

Preferred Background

• Education, training, or certification in electronics, electrical systems, automation, industrial maintenance, or mechatronics
• 5+ years troubleshooting industrial equipment, machine controls, or production machinery
• Experience with PLC-controlled equipment, including inputs, outputs, machine signals, and basic logic
• Knowledge of VFDs, servo drives, AC/DC motors, motor controls, and industrial control panels
• Experience with HMIs, industrial networks, safety circuits, and machine automation systems
• Background in printing, packaging, manufacturing, converting, or similar industrial settings
• Comfort with both legacy equipment and modern automated machinery
• Familiarity with OEM manuals, schematics, and technical support

Who Thrives Here

You’re a hands-on troubleshooter who enjoys solving machine problems, tracing signals, and learning how systems work—especially in a fast-paced industrial environment. This role focuses on production equipment and machine controls.

Physical Demands

• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb ladders, and work around production equipment for extended periods
• Lift up to 50 pounds as needed
• Work inside electrical panels and machine areas safely
• Differentiate color-coded wiring
• Comfortable in an industrial setting with noise, moving equipment, and production deadlines

Work Environment

Production printing and manufacturing environment with high-speed machinery, electrical panels, control systems, and supporting utilities. Requires rapid response to downtime, safe troubleshooting, and clear communication with maintenance and production teams.

Compensation

Competitive pay based on experience, technical background, troubleshooting ability, and shift assignment.

Salary: $30–$45/hr.