Automation Technician

Job Description

Position Summary

At SSAB, the Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving automation systems, including PLCs, HMIs, automation networks, and related control systems. This role supports plant operations by reducing downtime, improving equipment reliability and performance, implementing sustainable corrective actions, and leading or supporting automation and continuous improvement projects. The position works closely with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and project teams to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective automation support.

Main Responsibilities / Essential Functions

• Maintain and support department equipment, computer systems, PLCs, HMIs, automation networks, and control systems.
• Design, document, implement, and back up PLC code, HMI applications, and automations system changes in accordance with established change notice processes.
• Work with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, service companies, and the Automation Manager to reduce downtime, improve equipment utilization, and provide timely, cost-effective maintenance support.
• Independently troubleshot automation, process, and equipment issues, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Apply engineering principles and sound judgment to solve complex automation challenges, including researching unfamiliar equipment, technologies, and systems; escalate issues when additional expertise is required.
• Lead or support automation and continuous improvement projects focused on reliability, safety, efficiency, quality, and equipment performance.
• Plan and organize automation work for outages, including coordinating resources and maintaining adequate spare parts and equipment.
• Provide technical guidance and support to maintenance and operations team members, contractors, and project teams.
• Partner with maintenance teams to develop safe job procedures and lockout revisions.
• Complete required training within designated timeframes and attend all required meetings.
• Understand and support the company's goals and values and adhere to company, department, safety, quality, environmental, and ethics policies and procedures.

About You / Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 2-3 years of industrial automation and PLC programming experience.
• Experience with industrial motor drives and working knowledge of industrial instrumentation, control devices, and maintenance systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to diagnose electrical, automation, and computer-related issues.
• Ability to apply sound engineering judgment, critical thinking, and analytical problem-solving to complex technical problems.
• Ability to learn and apply unfamiliar technologies, equipment, and processes.
• Strong organizational, prioritization, and project management skills.
• Effective communication, collaboration, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.

Preferred

• Bachelor's degree in electrical or automation engineering, computer science, or a closely-related related technical field.
• 3+ years industrial automation experience.
• Heat treating experience.
• Siemens S7 PLC experience.
• C/C++ experience
• Industrial Ethernet networking experience.
• SCADA/Historian experience.
• VFD and servo drive experience.
• Hydraulic and proportional control systems knowledge.
• Industrial robot programming experience.
• Linux, SQL/database, and PID tuning experience.