Industrial Automation Field Service Specialist
9 days ago
Houston
Job Description About the role Picture your day: you roll out with a company truck, toolbox in hand, on your way to a manufacturing plant. A production line is down, a VFD is faulting, and the PLC logic isn’t behaving. You arrive, assess, and quickly trace the issue through relays, contactors, solenoids, and control logic. You read the schematics, validate I/O, and bring the line back to life. Later, you commission a new control system—startup goes smoothly because you’ve seen it all—from AC drives to servo motion. That’s a typical day serving Innovative IDM customers. We’re seeking a seasoned field professional who thrives on variety, owns problems end-to-end, and delivers Legendary Service every time. This is a hands-on industrial automation role focused on controls, drives, and electro‑mechanical troubleshooting. It is not an IT position. What you’ll do • Diagnose and repair PLCs, HMIs, motion controllers, AC/DC drives, and related industrial devices for Innovative IDM customers., • Perform on-site troubleshooting and component-level electronic repairs on a wide range of production machinery—from simple systems to complex automation cells., • Install, commission, and start up industrial control systems, drives, and motion equipment., • Handle field retrofits and start-up services for large, intricate control architectures., • Participate in a rotational, after-hours on-call schedule to support customers when they need it most., • Collaborate with internal teammates and external plant personnel; communicate findings and recommendations clearly., • Research tricky technical problems and resolve them calmly, professionally, and efficiently—doing whatever it takes to get customers running., • Maintain thorough documentation of diagnostics, repairs, and configurations. Who you are, • 3–5 years troubleshooting industrial electronic controls (relays, contactors, solenoids, control logic)., • Fluent reading and interpreting electrical/electronic schematics., • Proven skill repairing and programming AC VFDs and DC motor controls., • Strong with PLC and servo motion troubleshooting., • Excellent verbal and written communication; comfortable with customer-facing work., • Self-starter: organized, motivated, and effective with minimal supervision., • Creative, persistent problem-solver across electronic and industrial devices., • Able to juggle multiple jobs and deadlines with urgency and sound decision-making., • Electrical/electronic ACAD and PLC programming experience are a plus., • Four-year degree preferred., • Owns and brings applicable hand tools., • Values a positive, energetic, team-first mindset. Skills and competencies we’ll lean on, • Valid driver’s license and field-readiness, • PLC fault-finding and logic troubleshooting, • Equipment diagnostics and repair, • Reading/creating electrical schematics, • Electrical troubleshooting and root cause analysis, • Mechanical troubleshooting capability, • Experience in food & beverage manufacturing environments, • PCB assembly and component-level familiarity, • Knowledge of single- and three-phase power, • Industrial electrical systems diagnostics and repairs, • Industrial robot programming exposure, • OSHA 10-hour safety certification, • Troubleshooting of industrial automation equipment, • Relay verification and testing, • Insulation resistance testing, • Hands-on PLC programming experience, • Machine vision system programming familiarity, • PLC panel and field wiring experience, • Strong grasp of electrical/electronic systems, • Pneumatics troubleshooting, • Industrial electrical background, • Network connectivity (TCP/IP, SD‑WAN) fundamentals, • Meets physical demands of field service work, • Manufacturing-plant experience, • Structured problem-solving and RCA Tools & technologies you’ll touch, • Packaging and conveyor systems; pelletizer machines, • Motor Control Centers (Allen Bradley, ABB, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Eaton), • Multimeters (Fluke) and industrial power tools, • Industrial controls platforms (Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, ABB, Omron, Siemens, Schneider Electric), • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), • PLCs (Allen Bradley, Mitsubishi, Omron, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Beckoff), • Servo motors and motion systems, • Industrial robots (ABB, Yaskawa Motoman) Rewards & benefits, • Company truck and company credit card, • Daily overtime: 1.5x pay for hours beyond 8 in a day, • Double time for billable work performed on Sundays, • Additional 15% pay premium for travel assignments, • 401(k) with company match, • PTO, Personal Time, Volunteer Time, and Paid Holidays, • Student Loan Match and Tuition Reimbursement, • Medical, Dental, Vision, and FSA, • Company-paid Life Insurance, • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability