Controls & Instrumentation Technician (12 Hour Nights Shift - Onsite)

Job Summary

Join a high-growth manufacturing organization in Acton, MA at an exciting startup phase, where you’ll play a key role in bringing advanced automated equipment online and keeping it running at peak performance. This is a hands-on opportunity to work with state-of-the-art assembly systems, including PLCs (Rockwell), vision systems (Cognex/Keyence), robotics, lasers, and motion control.

In this role, you’ll lead installation, startup, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of complex automation—directly impacting uptime, quality, and innovation. You’ll collaborate cross-functionally, train others, and drive process improvements in a fast-paced, highly technical environment.

What makes this role stand out:

• Be part of a major U.S. manufacturing expansion with strong investment and growth
• Work on advanced automation technologies and new product introductions
• Combine hands-on technical work with problem-solving and process improvement
• Opportunities to lead, train, and influence operations from the ground up

Ideal for experienced technicians who thrive in startup environments, enjoy solving complex automation challenges, and want to make a visible impact.



Position Overview:

The Controls and Instrumentation Technician will be a critical contributor in a mission that truly represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to join a company that is making significant investments in establishing US manufacturing, expanding internationally, and delivering a consistent cadence of product innovations to the market and investing in its people.

This is a 12 hour rotating night shift role. The position is eligible for additional shift differential pay.

The successful candidate will be responsible for bringing to life assembly and process equipment for the startup of new Manufacturing Operations in Acton, MA. The role will then transition to direct engineering and maintenance of equipment in Acton, MA with accountability to ensure a high level of machine uptime and minimal production scrap on complex discrete component assembly equipment.

This individual will be responsible for the installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and improvement of process equipment. They will also be trained and cross-trained to repair, maintain and improve the reliability of various stations including lasers, optical gaging devices, continuity testing, inspection, etc. Controls and Instrumentation technicians must be quality-conscious, aggressively self-directed, motivated team players, and willing trainers—eager to gain and share new knowledge.

Responsibilities:

Sound hands on technical ability with controls infrastructure methodologies including PLCs, Vision systems, HMIs, communications, database management and drives (i.e. servo, VFDs etc.).

Strong proficiency in PLC programming (Rockwell ControlLogix), HMI programming, Cognex vision systems setup and programming desired

Strong Knowledge of VFD and Servo drives and motion control (AB & SEW preferred)

Experience with machine vision is a strong plus (Keyence and Cognex preferred)

Strong knowledge of PID loops and process control concepts

SQL Server Database knowledge and Visual Basic Programming a plus

Take a rigorous, disciplined and hands-on approach to maintain equipment and processes reliability and execute process improvement activity

An in-depth knowledge and understanding of NFPA 79/NFPA 70E and machine safety standards a strong benefit.

Extensive experience with wiring automated machinery.

Extensive experience in troubleshooting control circuits of automation equipment.

Direct hands-on involvement in installation, start-up, qualification, and debug of new automation.

Onsite acceptance testing of new equipment under construction at the machine builder’s facility Thoroughly document maintenance activity using the maintenance database, adequately communicate maintenance issues to appropriate employees (e.g., other maintenance techs, operators, engineers, supervisors, etc.), and properly utilize the maintenance inventory system.

Interface directly with manufacturing representatives to help drive preventative maintenance schedules, techniques and training.

Ability to partner with cross functional team(s), manufacturing and the broader technical community during startup to define and document machine setup, maintenance and troubleshooting.

Troubleshoot and identify potential decision or solutions for controls and instrumentation related errors, safety issues or general operating inefficiencies with assembly production processes.

Organize, report, train and present technical work to various levels within the organization.

Create and train standard operating procedures for the baselining, setup and maintenance of assembly equipment.

Champion process improvement in assigned areas by analyzing equipment maintenance history, identifying significant causes of waste, coordinating with appropriate employees to develop root-cause solutions, and providing maintenance assistance as necessary.

Provide Preventative Maintenance support for plant and equipment.

Repair and maintain items necessary to maintain process equipment in cGMP condition

Assist in day-to-day support of operators, adjustments, setups, and change over Responsible to report safety, quality, and regulatory compliance concerns to leadership. This is a hands-on role, requiring the candidate to take on project work assigned as an individual contributor, or as a participant on cross functional teams, as well as be able to utilize tools to inspect, repair and maintain equipment.

Ability to train others including production operators and technicians.

Requires mechanical aptitude, technical ability, and problem-solving skills, ability to read and understand prints, written and verbal instructions and willingness to work in a fast-paced environment.

Excellent attention to detail, good organization, and capable of working independently to a production schedule.

Critical Thinking –Ability to identify problems and root cause analysis.

Education and Experience:

Minimum Requirements:

3+ years of direct experience in working with, troubleshooting and optimizing discrete component assembly equipment controls and instrumentation.

Engineering Technician Diploma or Associate's Degree preferred.

Electrical License a plus.

Preferred Skills and Competencies:

Software experience desired, RSLogix Studio 5000, FactoryTalk V Studio ME, ABB Robot Studio, B&R Automation Studio, Cognex DataMan Setup Tool, Sick FlexiSoft Designer, Phoenix Contact – IP Assignment Tool, Maxon ESCON Studio, UltraVNC, Trackmaster, CPX Festo Maintenance Tool, Microsoft Visual Studio C# and VB.Net, Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio

Experience with machine networks, facility IT networks, control system components, electronic testing equipment, instrument calibration

Strong written and verbal English communication skills, and strong presentation skills.

Sound hands-on technical ability with assembly methodologies including locational methods, setup at assembly, pneumatic actuators, servo motors, limit switches, robotics, steels, plastics, belting methods etc.

Follows all policies, procedures, ergonomic standards and safety requirements directed by the department.

Familiarity with HMI’s / GUI’s (Machine user interfaces) and working in a clean room environment a plus

Knowledge and experience with post-implementation continuous improvement efforts and methodology is greatly beneficial.

Experience in a start-up production environment is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

Required to stand for at least 75% of working time per shift, with walking at least 50% of working time per shift.

Required to reach above shoulder frequently and below waist occasionally.

Required to push and pull.

Ability to lift up to 20lbs occasionally, 5-20lbs frequently.

Ability to work in tight spaces