Job Description

• Provide automation and controls support to improve safety, reliability, quality, throughput, and equipment effectiveness.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and improve automated equipment, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, robotics, sensors, actuators, and safety systems.
• Analyze automation downtime and recurring failures; support root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Coordinate with Maintenance, Production, Quality, Engineering, Safety, IT/OT, vendors, and suppliers to resolve equipment issues.
• Maintain automation standards, control documentation, backups, change control, procedures, checklists, and standard work.
• Support automation improvements and capital projects through installation, commissioning, training, documentation, and turnover.
• Review supplier proposals, technical specifications, drawings, manuals, controls, and system designs for feasibility, safety, cost, and standards alignment.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for automation, controls, electrical, and software-related systems.
• Recommend critical spare parts for automation and controls components.
• Train and support employees on automation troubleshooting, safe work practices, equipment operation, and procedures.
• Report automation metrics, project status, failures, causes, and countermeasures to maintenance and plant leadership.
• Follow company safety, environmental, lockout/tagout, and regulatory requirements; reinforce safe work practices.
• Uphold Nokian mission and values in day-to-day actions.
• Other duties as required.

• Advanced knowledge of automation systems, PLCs, HMIs, drives, robotics, sensors, safety circuits, and industrial networks.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex automation and controls issues in high-speed manufacturing.
• Knowledge of automation standards, electrical schematics, controls documentation, backups, version control, and change management.
• Ability to support root cause analysis, downtime reduction, equipment optimization, and continuous improvement activities.
• Working knowledge of Rockwell, Siemens, WinCC, TIA Portal, HMIs, drives, Fanuc/KUKA robotics, and material alignment systems preferred.
• Strong project support skills for installation, commissioning, validation, documentation, training, and turnover.
• Ability to communicate effectively with operations, maintenance, engineering, leadership, suppliers, and global stakeholders.
• Knowledge of OSHA, electrical safety, lockout/tagout, machine guarding, confined space, and safe troubleshooting practices.
• Demonstrates sound judgment, urgency, organization, integrity, teamwork, and effectiveness in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute of higher learning in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or other relevant technical field, plus 3 years of practical experience in automation, controls, engineering, or industrial maintenance within a manufacturing environment. Equivalent technical experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience with equipment controls, PLC programming, HMI systems, drives, robotic systems, and automated manufacturing equipment.
• Knowledge of production processes, quality control concepts, preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement methods.
• Prior experience in a highly automated manufacturing environment required; tire or rubber manufacturing experience preferred.
• Must be available to work overtime, weekends, shutdowns, and respond to urgent equipment or automation issues when needed.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position will not offer visa sponsorship.

• The physical demands and work environment described below represent those required to perform the essential functions of this position. These requirements are job-related and consistent with business necessity. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.
• When present in designated production areas, employees are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety-toe shoes, safety glasses with side shields, hearing protection, and other PPE as defined by risk assessments or site policy.
• Ability to move throughout office and manufacturing environments, including walking, standing, and occasionally ascending and descending stairs or work platforms.
• Ability to occasionally traverse varied walking surfaces, including concrete floors, grated platforms, and industrial stairways.
• Ability to sit for extended periods while working at a computer or attending meetings.
• Ability to use hands and fingers for computer keyboarding, writing, handling documents, and operating standard office equipment.
• Ability to occasionally lift and/or move items such as files, laptops, or materials up to 20 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to inspect equipment, processes, and work areas to identify hazards, non-conformances, or deviations, and to recognize safety signals, alarms, and changing conditions in the work environment, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to effectively receive, understand, and communicate work instructions, technical information, and safety-related information through appropriate means, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• This position is primarily office-based within a manufacturing facility and requires routine presence in production areas.
• While in production areas, employees may be exposed to noise, moving machinery, industrial vehicles (e.g., forklifts), and other typical manufacturing hazards.
• Temperatures in production areas may vary seasonally and may range from approximately 65–100°F.
• Raw materials used in the manufacturing process may include oils, rubber compounds, carbon black, and other industrial materials. Employees may encounter industrial odors or airborne particulates typical of a manufacturing environment.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance day one
• 401(k) eligible after one month
• 401(k) matching 100% on first 6%
• Short-term incentive plan 
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discounts
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Paid parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement 
• Onsite fitness facility 
• Wellness benefits
• Career advancement opportunities