Automation Engineering Technician
Milwaukee Tool · Mukwonago, WI
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Controls
- Degree
- Required (or equivalent experience)
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- Recently
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level controls role at Milwaukee Tool (industrial) in Mukwonago, WI. Modify, troubleshoot, optimize, and integrate existing automation systems, robotic cells, fixtures, tooling, and controls to improve safety, quality, reliability, uptime, and production performance.
- They ask for
- degree required (or equivalent experience)
- Tools it names
- OEE, Root cause, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
How this role compares
Against 27 other live controls postings in Wisconsin.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $86k–$127k, from 12 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 68%
- ✓ Automation 68%
- ✓ Root cause 46%
- ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 36%
- ✓ Robotics 32%
- Team leadership 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Welding, CATIA / NX, 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 Milwaukee Tool
We found 13 people at this company and state: 9 on the team, 4 leaders, plus 2 likely hiring managers. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Craig → (free) - 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 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: Milwaukee Tool in Mukwonago
5 other open roles at this site · 13 people we found on the controls team.
- Metrology Technician · Quality · Technician
- Production Supervisor (2nd Shift) · Production · Supervisor
- Process Technician - Plastics (2nd Shift) · Process · Technician
- Process Technician - Injection Molding · Process · Technician
- Automation Technician - 3rd Shift · Controls · Technician
Full description from Milwaukee ToolAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Position summary
The Automation Engineering Technician is responsible for the reliability, performance, troubleshooting, maintenance, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing equipment. This role serves as the technical expert for assigned automation systems and works closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, and Quality to maximize equipment uptime, safety, quality, and productivity.
The Automation Engineering Technician combines strong mechanical, electrical, controls, and robotics skills to diagnose problems, implement improvements, and support manufacturing operations. This position is highly hands-on and requires the ability to independently troubleshoot complex automation systems and lead technical problem-solving efforts.
Primary responsibility is new machine design, controls architecture, and major capital equipment development are performed in partnership with Automation Engineering and New Product Development Teams.
Required
- ✓Associate Degree, Technical Diploma, Journeyman Certification, Military Technical Training, or equivalent automation experience.
- ✓Three to five years of experience troubleshooting industrial automation equipment.
- ✓Experience with industrial robotics such as FANUC, ABB, or equivalent platforms.
- ✓Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled equipment.
- ✓Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
- ✓Strong understanding of electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and automation systems.
- ✓Experience using hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment.
- ✓Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- ✓Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- ✓Ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.
Requirements
- ✓Ability to stand, walk, bend, reach, and work around production equipment for extended periods.
- ✓Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- ✓Ability to climb ladders and access equipment in manufacturing environments.
- ✓Ability to work flexible hours, alternate shifts, and occasional weekends to support production and project activities.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Automation Support & Troubleshooting
- •Set up, adjust, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain production automation, industrial robotics, and associated interface equipment.
- •Diagnose and resolve electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, controls, robotics, and software-related equipment issues.
- •Support production line startups, changeovers, and new product introductions.
- •Respond to equipment downtime events and lead troubleshooting activities to restore production quickly and safely.
- •Troubleshoot PLC-controlled systems and interpret ladder logic programs.
- •Troubleshoot and repair HMIs, sensors, vision systems, servo systems, VFDs, safety circuits, and industrial networks.
- •Maintain backups of robot programs, PLC programs, HMI applications, and equipment configuration files.
- •Coordinate with Maintenance and Production personnel to ensure timely equipment support.
- •Establish and perform preventative maintenance activities for automation and robotics equipment.
Equipment Ownership & Continuous Improvement
- •Own the performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of assigned automation systems.
- •Identify and implement improvements that enhance safety, quality, throughput, ergonomics, and equipment reliability.
- •Analyze chronic equipment issues and perform root cause investigations to eliminate recurring failures.
- •Monitor equipment performance and recommend corrective actions to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
- •Participate in continuous improvement activities to increase manufacturing efficiency and reduce downtime.
Automation Modifications & Integration
- •Modify, troubleshoot, optimize, and integrate existing automation systems, robotic cells, fixtures, tooling, and controls to improve safety, quality, reliability, uptime, and production performance.
- •Create, modify, and optimize robot programs for FANUC, ABB, or similar robotic platforms.
- •Assist in the assembly, wiring, installation, integration, debugging, validation, and commissioning of automation equipment and manufacturing systems.
- •Support Automation Engineers with new equipment development, controls implementation, and capital projects by assisting with equipment assembly, wiring, integration, debugging, commissioning, and production launch activities.
- •Fabricate, assemble, and prototype fixtures, grippers, tooling, and automation components using available resources.
- •Utilize CAD software to create and modify models, fixtures, tooling, and automation components.
- •Support equipment validation, production trials, and implementation activities.
Technical Leadership
- •Serve as a technical resource for automation-related issues across manufacturing operations.
- •Train operators, maintenance personnel, and technicians on automation equipment operation and troubleshooting.
- •Lead troubleshooting efforts during major equipment failures.
- •Coordinate and oversee contractors, integrators, and vendors during equipment installations and repairs.
- •Participate in training and technical development activities as assigned.
- •Maintain good housekeeping and a safe work environment.
- •Perform all other duties as assigned.
Preferred
- +Experience programming or modifying robot applications.
- +Experience with Allen-Bradley PLC systems and Ethernet/IP networks.
- +Experience with machine vision systems.
- +Experience with servo motion systems and VFDs.
- +Experience with CAD software such as NX, SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar.
- +Experience with machining, fabrication, welding, or 3D printing.
- +Experience supporting multiple manufacturing sites.
Physical
Our perks and benefits
- •Legendary Company Culture
- •Robust health, dental and vision insurance plans
- •Generous 401 (K) savings plan
- •Education assistance