Systems Technician – Controls & Automation

About the Opportunity

A well-established global manufacturing organization in the Augusta, GA metro area is seeking a hands-on Systems Technician – Controls & Automation to support a high-volume manufacturing operation.

This position is ideal for someone who enjoys working directly with automated production equipment, PLC-controlled systems, industrial controls, HMIs, sensors, drives, instrumentation, and plant technology .

The Systems Technician will work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, and Production to troubleshoot equipment issues, improve system reliability, support automation projects, and minimize production downtime.

This is a hands-on technical role for someone who can diagnose complex problems, understand how multiple systems interact, and implement practical solutions in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

What You’ll Do

• Troubleshoot and support automated manufacturing equipment, control systems, and production technology .
• Diagnose failures involving:
• PLC-controlled equipment
• HMIs
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Variable frequency drives
• Motors and motor controls
• Industrial communication systems
• Automated production equipment
• Use PLC software and diagnostic tools to identify equipment and control-system issues.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, control drawings, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and system documentation .
• Investigate equipment failures, perform root-cause analysis , and implement corrective actions.
• Partner with Maintenance and Engineering teams to improve equipment reliability, uptime, process performance, and overall manufacturing efficiency .
• Support equipment modifications, automation upgrades, system installations, and continuous-improvement projects.
• Assist with commissioning and troubleshooting new or modified production equipment.
• Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities to prevent recurring failures.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance activities involving control systems and automation equipment.
• Maintain accurate documentation of system changes, troubleshooting activities, repairs, and equipment modifications.
• Work with vendors, contractors, and outside technical resources when specialized support is required.
• Assist with maintaining proper backups and documentation for PLC programs, HMIs, control systems, and related equipment.
• Support plant safety, quality, 5S, and continuous-improvement initiatives.
• Provide technical support to production teams during equipment or process interruptions.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or GED required; technical school, associate degree, or additional technical training strongly preferred .
• At least 2–3 years of experience supporting controls, automation, maintenance, engineering, or technical systems within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Hands-on experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment .
• Working knowledge of industrial control systems, including:
• PLCs
• HMIs
• VFDs/drives
• Sensors
• Motors
• Instrumentation
• Automated equipment
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics and control drawings .
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving ability.
• Experience identifying root causes of equipment failures and implementing corrective actions.
• Strong computer and technical software skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Engineering, Maintenance, Production, Operations, and outside vendors.
• Comfortable working independently while also supporting a team-based manufacturing environment.

Preferred Experience

Experience with any of the following would be highly valuable:

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLCs
• Siemens PLCs
• HMI programming and troubleshooting
• SCADA systems
• Industrial Ethernet and networking
• Ethernet/IP
• DeviceNet
• Profibus
• Modbus
• Servo systems
• Robotics
• VFDs and motor controls
• Instrumentation and process controls
• Data acquisition and manufacturing monitoring systems
• Preventive or predictive maintenance technologies

Experience within plastic film extrusion, converting, packaging, nonwovens, chemicals, paper, food/beverage, automotive, or another continuous-process manufacturing environment is highly preferred.

Ideal Candidate

The strongest candidate will be someone who is equally comfortable working at a computer diagnosing PLC or HMI issues and walking onto the production floor to troubleshoot the physical equipment .

This person should have a strong understanding of how electrical, controls, automation, and mechanical systems interact and be able to work through problems methodically until the root cause is identified.

A four-year engineering degree is not required if the candidate has strong hands-on controls and automation experience.

Physical & Work Environment

This position operates within an active manufacturing environment and may require:

• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Bending, kneeling, climbing, and reaching
• Working around industrial machinery and automated equipment
• Occasional lifting of tools, equipment, or components
• Responding to equipment issues on the manufacturing floor

Why Consider This Opportunity?

This is a strong opportunity for a technically skilled Controls Technician, Automation Technician, Systems Technician, Engineering Technician, or Electrical/Controls Technician who wants to expand their responsibilities within a sophisticated manufacturing environment.

You’ll have the opportunity to work directly with automation, controls, engineering, production equipment, and continuous-improvement initiatives , while playing a critical role in equipment reliability and plant performance.

Location: Augusta, GA Metro Area

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Environment: Onsite Manufacturing

Position Type: Systems / Controls / Automation Technician