POSITION SUMMARY

The Electrical Engineering / Automation Technician plays a key role in improving the reliability, modernization, and performance of the plant’s production equipment. This hands-on position bridges day-to-day technical support with long-term equipment improvement and plant modernization. The role combines two primary responsibilities:

- Technical support to the Maintenance Department, particularly in troubleshooting and resolving electrical, electronic, instrumentation, and automation-related issues.
- Development and execution of improvement, automation, and robotics projects aimed at increasing equipment reliability, safety, productivity, capacity, and overall operational efficiency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Support & Maintenance

- Support the maintenance team in diagnosing and resolving complex issues on production equipment.
- Troubleshoot electrical, electronic, pneumatic, and automated systems.
- Diagnose issues related to PLCs, HMIs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), servo drives and motors, sensors, control systems, industrial networks, and machine safety systems.
- Actively support major breakdowns to minimize equipment downtime.
- Perform failure analysis and identify root causes of recurring equipment issues.
- Develop and implement permanent corrective solutions rather than repeatedly repairing the same failures.
- Support the development of troubleshooting methods and transfer technical knowledge to the maintenance team.
- Participate in preventive and predictive maintenance improvements for electrical and automation components.
- Document modifications and improvements made to equipment.

Automation & Equipment Improvement

- Identify automation opportunities to improve safety, productivity, quality, and equipment reliability.
- Design, program, test, and commission modifications to existing automated systems.
- Modify and optimize PLC and HMI programs on production equipment.
- Participate in modernization of control systems and replacement of obsolete components.
- Develop plant automation standards to reduce technology variation and simplify maintenance support.
- Participate in the integration and commissioning of new production equipment.
- Develop solutions to improve machine cycle time, downtime, changeovers, process controls, and defect detection.
- Collaborate with Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities.

Robotics





- Identify manual operations that could benefit from automation or robotics.
- Participate in feasibility studies and the development of robotics projects.
- Develop or coordinate the integration of industrial robots and cobots, pick-and-place systems, machine vision, palletizing/depalletizing, automated case packing, conveyors, and material handling systems.
- Collaborate with external integrators and suppliers during design, installation, programming, and commissioning.
- Ensure knowledge transfer to Maintenance and Production teams following implementation.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

- Analyze breakdown and downtime data to identify major sources of equipment losses.
- Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and associated corrective action plans.
- Identify equipment and components presenting obsolescence or reliability risks.
- Develop electrical and automation modernization plans for critical equipment.
- Contribute to initiatives aimed at improving OEE, reducing downtime, and increasing production capacity.
- Participate in cost reduction and operational performance improvement projects.
- Support new technologies that improve production data collection, monitoring, and utilization.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

- Participate in defining project requirements and technical specifications.
- Evaluate technical solutions, obtain and analyze supplier proposals, and estimate project costs and advantages.
- Participate in the preparation of CAPEX requests when required.
- Coordinate activities with suppliers, integrators, contractors, and internal teams.
- Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) when required.
- Support and supervise installation, startup, and commissioning activities.
- Ensure proper technical documentation and training following implementation.

TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION & STANDARDS

- Maintain electrical drawings and equipment technical documentation.
- Ensure proper backup and version control of PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, and other programmable system files.




- Develop standards for electrical and automation components.
- Participate in standardization of PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and other critical components.
- Document critical equipment parameters to facilitate troubleshooting and recovery.
- Develop troubleshooting procedures and technical guides for the maintenance team.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

- Diploma of College Studies (DEC) in Electrical Engineering Technology - Automation and Controls, Electrodynamics, Instrumentation and Control, or equivalent technical education.
- Relevant experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
- Strong knowledge of industrial electrical troubleshooting and automation.
- Experience with PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting.
- Knowledge of VFDs, servo systems, sensors, industrial control systems, and industrial communication networks.
- Ability to read, understand, troubleshoot, and modify electrical schematics.
- Experience with industrial robot programming, integration, or troubleshooting is a robust asset.
- Experience with machine vision systems is considered an asset.
- Knowledge of machine safety standards and safety circuits.

Experience in a high-speed automated manufacturing environment is considered an asset.

KEY COMPETENCIES

- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
- Hands-on, shop-floor-oriented approach.
- Ability to move from immediate troubleshooting to root cause analysis and permanent corrective solutions.
- Strong autonomy, accountability, and ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Technical curiosity and interest in emerging technologies.
- Continuous improvement mindset.
- Ability to work effectively with Maintenance and Production teams.
- Ability to communicate with suppliers, integrators, contractors, and technical partners.
- Ability to document and transfer technical knowledge to other team members.

MEASURES OF SUCCESS

AREAEXPECTED IMPACTReliabilityReduction in electrical/automation downtime and recurring failures.PerformanceImprovement in equipment availability and OEE.ModernizationSuccessful automation and robotics projects; modernization of aging control systems.Risk ReductionReduced exposure to component obsolescence and improved system backups/documentation.CapabilityEffective knowledge transfer to Maintenance and measurable productivity, capacity, reliability, and safety gains.

📌 Electrotechnician (Laval)
🏢 KIK Consumer Products
📍 Laval