Automation Technician, Auxiliary Conveying Eq in Franklin Township, New Jersey at Mold-Rite Plastics

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

Job Description: Automation & Lining Technician

Department: Maintenance / Manufacturing
Reports To: Maintenance Supervisor / Maintenance Manager
Schedule: 1st Shift, Monday–Friday

Position Summary

The Automation & Lining Technician is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, optimizing, and continuously improving automated production equipment in a plastic cap manufacturing facility. Equipment includes lining machines, rotary assembly machines, vision inspection systems, conveyors, and related production machinery.

This position focuses on maximizing equipment reliability and production output, reducing downtime and scrap, and improving overall operational efficiency. The ideal candidate takes ownership of equipment performance, performs robust and lasting repairs, and applies Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and corrective actions to eliminate recurring failures. This role works closely with maintenance, production, and engineering teams to improve machine performance, product quality, and process consistency.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Equipment Reliability & Root Cause Analysis

• Troubleshoot and repair complex mechanical, pneumatic, electrical, and automation-related equipment issues.
• Lead or participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations to identify underlying causes of equipment failures, recurring downtime, and quality defects.
• Develop, implement, and verify corrective actions to eliminate repeat failures rather than relying on temporary fixes.
• Apply structured problem-solving methods, including 5 Whys, cause-and-effect analysis, and failure trend analysis.
• Document failure causes, corrective actions, and results to prevent recurrence and support knowledge sharing.
• Identify equipment weaknesses and recommend improvements to increase reliability, maintainability, and service life.

Continuous Improvement & Production Efficiency

• Identify and implement improvements that increase machine uptime, throughput, cycle times, and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Analyze downtime, scrap, minor stoppages, and production constraints to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Improve equipment performance through tooling improvements, machine modifications, process adjustments, and engineering-driven solutions.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to resolve recurring issues, reduce waste, and improve line efficiency.
• Support 5S, TPM (Total Productive Maintenance), Lean Manufacturing, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Measure and verify the effectiveness of implemented improvements using equipment performance and production data.

Lining & Automation Systems

• Troubleshoot, repair, and optimize lining machines to ensure consistent liner placement, retention, and finished cap quality.
• Diagnose issues involving liner feeding, application, machine timing, indexing, tooling, and material handling.
• Troubleshoot HMI systems, sensors, vision inspection systems, actuators, drives, and automated machine sequences.
• Improve inspection reliability, defect detection, and automated reject systems to support product quality.
• Assist with PLC diagnostics and automation improvements within the scope of training and authorization. PLC programming experience is a plus.

Safety & Quality

• Follow plant safety procedures, including lockout/tagout (LOTO), machine guarding, and applicable electrical safety requirements.
• Ensure equipment repairs and modifications meet established safety and quality standards.
• Maintain an organized work area and support 5S and contamination-prevention practices.
• Verify equipment performance and corrective action effectiveness before closing out work.

Qualifications & Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; technical training in industrial maintenance, electrical systems, or automation preferred.
• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance or automated manufacturing experience preferred.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills in an automated manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with Root Cause Analysis, structured problem-solving, and implementing effective corrective actions.
• Ability to distinguish symptoms from underlying failure causes and verify that corrective actions prevent recurrence.
• Experience with lining machines, rotary assembly equipment, packaging machinery, or similar automated production systems strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of 24V DC, 120V, 240V, and 480V electrical systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical documentation.
• Experience with HMI systems, industrial sensors, and vision inspection systems is a plus.
• PLC troubleshooting experience preferred; programming experience is a plus.
• Knowledge of pneumatic systems, machine timing, indexing, and mechanical drives.
• Familiarity with 5S, TPM, Lean Manufacturing, OEE, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Basic fabrication and machining skills are a plus.
• Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently and collaborate across departments.

Schedule & Work Environment

First shift, Monday through Friday, in a plastic cap manufacturing facility. The position requires hands-on work around production machinery and the ability to perform physical tasks within established safety guidelines. Occasional overtime may be required to support production needs and improvement projects.

About MRP:

MRP Solutions (MRP), a plastic cap manufacturer, is a leading provider of high-quality, injection molded plastic closures, jars and packaging components used every day by millions of consumers around the globe. But we offer more than just plastic caps and lids – we deliver industry-leading packaging solutions tailored to each customer’s unique requirements, providing best-in-class product protection while ensuring consumer confidence.

MRP Solutions combines extensive packaging expertise with a consultative approach to reliably uncover customer needs. By understanding your business goals, we can tailor smarter, safer, and more flexible packaging solutions that reduce cost and increase speed to market, helping your businesses capitalize on opportunity. By constantly innovating, MRP enables our customers to grow, making us a preferred partner.

We are passionate about partnering with distributors and manufacturers who understand that plastic caps and lids are a small but important part of how people experience their brands. Together, we deliver packaging with purpose.

Our Vision:

We deliver industry-leading packaging solutions tailored to each customer’s unique requirements, providing best-in-class product protection while ensuring consumer confidence.

By constantly innovating, MRP enables our customers to grow, making us a preferred partner.

Our Values & Beliefs

MRP Solutions is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, medical condition, marital or protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, MRP Solutions will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Any employee who needs a reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources