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Automation Controls Technician (PLC)

ZT Systems · Secaucus, NJ

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Level
Technician
Team
Controls
Experience asked
6+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
25 days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level controls role at ZT Systems (industrial) in Secaucus, NJ. You’ll troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, sensors, I/O, networks, and safety systems, serving as the first responder when automation stops and helping drive improvements that keep production moving.

They ask for
6+ years
Tools it names
Root cause, PLC, Automation
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

How this role compares

Against 181 other live controls postings in the US.

Base pay
Not listed in this posting

Typical $79k–$99k, from 7 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (6+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ PLC 57%
  • ✓ Automation 55%
  • Robotics 35%
  • Union environment 29%
  • ✓ Root cause 25%
  • Team leadership 23%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 6+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone on the team first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageTraining program

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. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at ZT Systems

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 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. 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. 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. 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: ZT Systems in Secaucus

16 other open roles at this site.

All 17 roles at ZT Systems →
Full description from ZT SystemsAs posted on their careers site.Show

About the role

The Automation Controls Technician (PLC) serves the Advanced Automation Infrastructure team and is on the front line of ZT Systems' automated assembly operations, keeping the controls behind our equipment running reliably. You’ll troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, sensors, I/O, networks, and safety systems, serving as the first responder when automation stops and helping drive improvements that keep production moving. This is an opportunity to build hands-on expertise at the center of next-generation manufacturing for one of the industry's leading hyperscale system integrators.

Show full description ↓

What you’ll do

  • •Serve as the owner for PLC, HMI, electrical controls, sensors, I/O, and automation networks supporting production equipment.
  • •Troubleshoot complex controls issues across the field device, I/O, PLC logic, network, HMI, and machine sequence to rapidly restore equipment.
  • •Maintain controlled PLC/HMI programs, configurations, backups, network documentation, and machine recovery files for automated equipment.
  • •Develop and execute a critical controls spare parts strategy and preventive maintenance program based on equipment criticality and downtime exposure.
  • •Partner with OEMs, system integrators, and engineering teams to resolve complex controls issues, implement system improvements, and eliminate recurring failures.
  • •Analyze controls-related downtime and failure data to identify root causes, reliability improvements, and opportunities to improve automation performance.
  • •Crosstrain and provide backup support for the automated mechanical systems to build team-wide knowledge and eliminate single points of knowledge.

What you bring

  • •A minimum of a trade school certification in a technical field and 6+ years of practical experience in an automated manufacturing environment.
  • •Deep expertise in industrial automation controls, including PLCs, HMIs, I/O systems, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and SMEMA machine sequencing.
  • •Proven ability to troubleshoot complex controls failures from the field device through the PLC, network, HMI, and machine sequence without relying solely on OEM support.
  • •Strong experience reading and interpreting electrical schematics, control panel drawings, I/O lists, PLC logic, network architecture, and machine documentation.
  • •Experience with PLC programming (Festo / CodeSys / Structured Text), HMI configuration, controls integration, industrial Ethernet, sensors, and safety systems in an automated manufacturing environment.
  • •Ability to establish and maintain controlled PLC/HMI backups, configuration records, software versions, and machine recovery documentation.
  • •Demonstrated ability to perform root-cause analysis on recurring controls failures and implement improvements that increase equipment reliability and reduce downtime.
  • •Strong technical judgment and change-control discipline, with the ability to make repairs independently while recognizing when an issue requires engineering, OEM, or system-integrator escalation.
  • •Experience with Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Excel, and Word).
  • •Strong verbal and written communications skills.

Base salary is just one component of ZT Systems total rewards philosophy. We take pride in offering a wide range of benefits and perks that appeal to the variety of needs across our diverse employee base. Other rewards may include bonus, paid time off, generous 401k match, tuition reimbursement, wellbeing resources, and more.

We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

About ZT Systems

At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, you’ll get to do work you are proud of alongside smart, passionate people. Every day, there are opportunities to collaborate with the best in the industry to design, build, and deliver impactful solutions to world-class customers. Along the way, you will gain hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment that’s challenging, rewarding, and career-defining.

A culture built around our values we work hard and think fast. We view challenges as opportunities—to do better, push harder, and be faster than we were the day before. When we fail, we learn from it and move on together. And when we succeed, we use the momentum to go even further. We create value with everything we do, building the foundation of today—and transforming the future of tomorrow.

Join ZT Systems and help us build technology infrastructure that connects the world.

What We Offer

At ZT Systems, a Sanmina Company, we believe that investing in our people is key to our continued growth and innovation. When you join our team, you’ll gain access to a comprehensive and inclusive benefits package designed to support your well-being, financial security, and professional development—both now and in the future.

Health & Wellness

  • •Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with access to leading providers
  • •Mental health resources and employee wellness support programs-
  • •Company-paid life and disability insurance

Time Away & Work-Life Balance

  • •Paid time off (PTO) and company-paid holidays
  • •Parental leave and family care support programs

Growth & Purpose

  • •Structured training programs and on-the-job learning opportunities

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