Manufacturing Automation Technician - IGT
Howmet Aerospace · Hampton, VA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Controls
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Aerospace & defense
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level controls role at Howmet Aerospace (aerospace & defense) in Hampton, VA. 6 axis articulated arm Robot programming experience, Yaskawa or Fanuc an advantage.
- They ask for
- 3+ years
- Tools it names
- OEE, FMEA, PLC, Robotics, Automation, CNC
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Manufacturing Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $60k–$95k.
Median of the low and high ends of 65 live postings that list pay, out of 1046 manufacturing technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 263 other live controls postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 5+)
Typical $79k–$99k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 64%
- ✓ PLC 60%
- ✓ Robotics 34%
- Team leadership 28%
- Root cause 24%
- Union environment 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for OEE, FMEA, CNC, Machining, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Howmet Aerospace
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Howmet Aerospace in Hampton
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Full description from Howmet AerospaceAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Responsibilities
The Automation Technician position located in Hampton, VA will provide technical support for manufacturing processes including all Automated operations, machining and production Gauging. Support the development of automated manufacturing processes. Qualify new product on manufacturing equipment, internally and with the customer and provide support for manufacturing to improve existing processes.
responsibilities
to fulfil business needs across all Business Centers
- ◆Maintaining focus on supporting production whilst implementing new products and process improvements
- ◆Quality control of work instruction documentation and product criteria
- ◆Working with Maintenance to help fault find manufacturing systems
- ◆Direct reporting to Manufacturing Engineering Lead who reports to Engineering Manager. Our largest customer is Manufacturing, led by Operations Manager
- ◆Works within Engineering to provide engineered solutions to Manufacturing problems
- ◆Determine priorities
responsibilities
to fulfil business needs across all Business Centers
- ◆Maintaining focus on supporting production whilst implementing new products and process improvements
- ◆Quality control of work instruction documentation and product criteria
- ◆Working with Maintenance to help fault find manufacturing systems
- ◆Direct reporting to Manufacturing Engineering Lead who reports to Engineering Manager. Our largest customer is Manufacturing, led by Operations Manager
- ◆Works within Engineering to provide engineered solutions to Manufacturing problems
- ◆Determine priorities
Qualifications
Basic
Qualifications
- ✓High school diploma or GED from an accredited institution
- ✓A minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience within an engineering environment
- ✓Good understanding of tooling, fixture design and manufacturing processes
- ✓Proficient in CAD, Siemens NX an advantage
- ✓Ability to read engineering drawings
- ✓High level of computer literacy (Word/Excel/Project)
- ✓Good judgment and decision making
- ✓Communication and team working skills
- ✓Employee must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position
- ✓This position entails access to export-controlled items and employment offers are conditioned upon an applicant's ability to lawfully obtain access to such items
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓6 axis articulated arm Robot programming experience, Yaskawa or Fanuc an advantage
- ✓Proficient in CNC Milling, CAM an advantage (Heidenhain controls & NX CAM)
- ✓A minimum of two years’ relevant experience within an engineering environment
- ✓Experience trouble-shooting mechanical systems (pneumatics, tooling, measurement feedback systems)
- ✓Knowledge of automation systems
- ✓CMM Programming experience (Renishaw Modus)
- ✓PLC or other logic-based programming experience
- ✓Knowledge of problem-solving tools (FMEA or equivalent)
- ✓Knowledge of 3DSL measurement equipment
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Salary
Anticipated Pay Range: $70K-80K per year. *Pay rates within this range are determined based on various factors including experience, education, certifications, etc.
Essential Job
but not limited to
- •Provide critical help chain for manufacturing to reduce downtime of critical manufacturing equipment
- •Create, verify and release robot programs for automated cells
- •Create, verify and release programs for other, programable manufacturing equipment
- •Design and deliver tooling and fixtures for manufacturing processes
- •Creating supporting documentation for automated equipment (SOP and EMS)
- •Support implementation of new advanced manufacturing equipment and automation
- •Support Senior MEs in justification of capital funding requests
- •Support cost reduction and process improvement of current manufacturing techniques
- •Work with Manufacturing to record and improve OEE of critical equipment
- •Support implantation of new manufacturing technology
- •Responsible for program storage, data back-ups and revision control for Manufacturing equipment
- •Implement and support EH&S activities
- •Prioritizing product demands, process control tasks and manufacturing engineering
Other Skills/Abilities
- •Prioritizing product demands, process control tasks and manufacturing engineering
Our Story
Howmet Aerospace Inc. (NYSE: HWM), headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a leading global provider of advanced engineered solutions for the aerospace and transportation industries. Our primary businesses focus on jet engine components, aerospace fastening systems, titanium structural parts and forged wheels. With $8.3 Billion in revenue in 2025, our products play a crucial role in enabling fuel efficiency and lightweighting, contributing to our customers’ success and making a positive impact on