Automation Technician - C Shift

GE Vernova · Bangor · $43,201 (stated in the posting)

Job Description Summary

GE Vernova’s Gas Power business engineers advanced, efficient natural gas-powered technologies and services, along with decarbonization solutions that aim to help electrify a lower carbon future. It is a global leader in gas turbines and power plant technologies and services with the industry’s largest installed base

Job Description

Essential Responsibilities

Advanced Automation & Robotics Support

Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize robotic systems, automated equipment, and manufacturing cells used in production.
Perform advanced fault isolation across integrated systems including robots, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, drives, conveyors, end-of-arm tooling, safety circuits, and peripheral equipment.
Diagnose and resolve complex equipment issues involving multiple failure modes across electrical, mechanical, controls, and process interactions.
Lead technical troubleshooting during high-impact downtime events, using a systematic approach to identify root cause and restore operation safely and efficiently.
Evaluate recurring failures and chronic equipment losses to determine whether issues stem from component wear, programming logic, process variation, setup conditions, operator interaction, or system design limitations.
Serve as the escalation point for difficult automation and robotics problems that cannot be resolved through standard maintenance practices.

Controls, Programming, and Diagnostics

Troubleshoot and support PLC logic, robot programs, CNC interfaces, servo systems, VFDs, and HMI-controlled processes.
Perform I/O diagnostics, signal tracing, device verification, and communication troubleshooting across control panels and machine networks.
Make controlled program edits, parameter adjustments, and recovery changes within approved procedures and change management expectations.
Analyze alarms, faults, interlocks, sequence issues, and machine state conditions to identify hidden causes of equipment stoppage or performance degradation.
Support backup, restoration, and version control of robot, PLC, and HMI programs in coordination with engineering and controls teams.
Assist in validating control system changes and startup performance after repairs, upgrades, or process adjustments.

Reliability, Root Cause, and Continuous Improvement

Drive a structured troubleshooting culture using root cause analysis tools such as 5 Whys, fishbone diagrams, fault trees, Pareto review, and failure trend analysis.
Investigate chronic downtime, nuisance faults, repeat failures, and intermittent issues with the goal of eliminating recurrence.
Identify weak points in equipment design, maintenance strategy, spare parts readiness, component selection, or operating practice and recommend durable corrective actions.
Participate in and support reliability-centered maintenance activities including PM optimization, predictive maintenance, spare parts strategy, FMEA, TPM, and critical asset planning.
Use historical downtime data, alarm history, failure patterns, and maintenance records to prioritize improvement efforts.
Develop and implement corrective and preventive actions that improve machine reliability, process stability, throughput, and safety.

System Integration & Technical Improvement

Support automation engineers with equipment upgrades, controls modifications, retrofits, and integration of new automation technologies.
Participate in commissioning, startup, debug, and validation of new robotic cells, automation systems, and production equipment.
Assist in proving out system functionality after installation or major maintenance, including verification of machine performance, safety systems, communications, and process repeatability.
Recommend and help implement improvements to increase equipment robustness, reduce cycle interruptions, improve fault recovery, and simplify maintenance access.
Support integration and troubleshooting of industrial communication systems including EtherNet/IP, Profinet, device-level networks, remote I/O, and smart instrumentation.
Contribute technical input to capital projects, controls upgrades, and equipment redesign efforts based on hands-on operational experience.

Production and Process Support

Respond rapidly to equipment downtime while balancing immediate recovery with thorough technical evaluation.
Work cross-functionally with production, engineering, and quality teams to resolve process-related automation issues that affect output, scrap, repeatability, or product quality.
Distinguish between machine faults, process faults, programming issues, setup errors, and operator-driven variation in order to apply the right corrective action.
Support product and process changeovers requiring advanced equipment adjustment, reteaching, recalibration, or program verification.
Assist in developing robust recovery methods for process interruptions to minimize scrap and unplanned downtime.
Provide technical mentorship and guidance to maintenance technicians and operators on equipment behavior, fault recovery, and basic troubleshooting practices.

Documentation, Standardization, and Knowledge Capture

Maintain detailed records of troubleshooting findings, root cause conclusions, corrective actions, program changes, and equipment modifications.
Update electrical schematics, troubleshooting guides, recovery procedures, PM documents, and maintenance work instructions as needed.
Document lessons learned from major failures and support creation of troubleshooting standards to improve future response.
Help build technical documentation that improves repeatability, accelerates diagnosis, and reduces dependency on tribal knowledge.
Ensure all repairs, modifications, and adjustments are properly communicated and recorded in accordance with site procedures.

Safety, Risk Reduction, and Compliance

Follow all GE Vernova, local site, and regulatory safety requirements related to electrical systems, robotics, automation equipment, and machine safeguarding.
Execute and support lockout/tagout, arc flash awareness, stored energy isolation, and machine safety verification activities.
Troubleshoot and maintain safety systems including light curtains, interlocks, guarding, safety relays, safety PLCs, and emergency stop circuits.
Identify equipment conditions that create safety, quality, or reliability risk and escalate or correct them appropriately.
Support safe startup and restart of automated systems following maintenance, fault recovery, or system modification.

Qualifications/Requirements

Associate degree, technical diploma, or certification in one of the following:
- Mechatronics
- Robotics
- Industrial Automation
- Electrical Technology
- Mechanical Technology
- Controls Technology
  or equivalent hands-on experience
4+ years of experience in a manufacturing, automation, robotics, or advanced maintenance environment.
Demonstrated experience troubleshooting integrated industrial equipment beyond routine component replacement.
Working knowledge of:
- industrial robotics
- PLC-controlled systems
- industrial electrical systems
- servo and motion systems
- mechanical power transmission
- pneumatic and hydraulic systems
- machine safety systems
Flexibility: Willingness to work A, B, or C Shift.
- A: 5AM - 3:30PM (MON, TUES, WED, TH)
- B: 3:30PM - 2AM (MON, TUES, WED, TH)
- C: 6AM - 6:30PM (FRI, SAT, SUN)

Desired Education/Experience

Experience supporting complex automated manufacturing systems with multiple integrated subsystems.
Experience with industrial robots and cobots such as:
- FANUC
- KUKA
- ABB
- Yaskawa Motoman
Familiarity with PLC and controls platforms such as:
- Siemens
- Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley
Experience with:
- servo drives and motion control
- VFDs and motor control systems
- industrial networks such as EtherNet/IP and Profinet
- vision systems
- automated conveyors and material handling
- safety PLCs and machine guarding systems
- data collection or condition monitoring tools
Experience participating in root cause investigations, reliability improvement efforts, and startup/commissioning activities.
Ability to read and interpret:
- electrical schematics
- ladder logic
- panel layouts
- P&IDs
- mechanical drawings
- robot and automation documentation

Key Skills

Advanced troubleshooting and fault isolation
Root cause analysis and structured problem solving
Robotics and automation system diagnostics
PLC, HMI, and controls troubleshooting
Electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic diagnostics
Ability to diagnose intermittent and systemic failures
Strong technical judgment under production pressure
Continuous improvement and reliability mindset
Clear communication across maintenance, engineering, and operations teams
Technical documentation and knowledge sharing
Ability to work independently on complex problems with limited supervision

Other Requirements/Responsibilities

Obey all safety rules including wearing personal protective equipment such as safety toe shoes, safety glasses, and hearing protection in designated areas.
Comply with all practices and procedures including the GE Vernova Bangor Handbook, the Code of Mutual Respect, and the GE Vernova Spirit & Letter.
Qualify for and utilize specialized personal protective equipment (e.g. respirator, arc flash and fall protection), as required for the position.
Perform a diverse range of tasks and responsibilities by effectively utilizing cross-training and multi-skilling. This includes, but is not limited to, operating multiple machines simultaneously within the same shop/area and based on business needs.
Foster a safety culture by engaging in and supporting Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) audits, training sessions, related activities, and compliance with Life-Saving Rules (LSR).
Ensure that all products consistently meet or exceed the quality standards and customer expectations. Additionally, identify and address any quality issues promptly to maintain high standards and customer satisfaction.
Deliver the products/services right the first time, every time, with focus, using standard work and lean to ensure both safety and quality objectives are met and sustained.
Embrace innovation and a continuous improvement/lean mindset through collaborative efforts with Safety/Quality/Delivery/Cost/Culture initiatives supporting the overall success of the Bangor and GE Vernova Teams.
Innovate and solve problems rapidly with rigor, transparency, and to Stop Work when needed.
Complete all required certifications promptly and within designated timeframes.
Adhere to established company standard work procedures and continuously seek process improvements.
Complete all required training promptly and thoroughly.
Treat others with dignity and respect while being committed to proactively solving problems, raising concerns, and working collaboratively as one team.
Communicate with transparency, integrity, and respect to foster positive working relationships.
Take ownership of work and roles/responsibilities so each individual and each team is accountable for delivering on commitments.

Job Assessment/Interview Requirements

Must successfully pass an assessment to demonstrate knowledge and ability in utilizing significant mechanical, electrical, and programmable logic controller experience and troubleshooting.
Interview based role

Pay Transparency: The starting pay rate for this position is $43.2016/hr plus a 10% shift bonus. The position will remain open until a candidate is identified for offer.

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