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Apprentice Automation Technician Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Toyo Tire Corporation

Automation Technician

White, GA · On-site

$37K/yr

Position Summary The Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting ... apprenticeship, or equivalent experience in: * Industrial Automation * Electrical/Electronics ...

Liberty Lift

Automation Technician

Williston, ND · On-site

$41K/yr

Liberty Lift Solutions is currently seeking an Automation Technician to join our growing team of ... Apprentice or Journeyman electrical certification preferred Competencies • Professional Maturity ...

Muller Technology

Automation Technician I

Loveland, CO · On-site

$23 - $29/hr

Automation Technician I should excel in either Mechanical or Electrical assembly. The Lead ... Willing to train the right candidate with minimal experience and certifications for an apprentice ...

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Electrical Assembly & Field Service Technician

Rock Hill, SC · On-site

$22 - $28/hr

Industrial Electrician Apprentice * Automation Technician * Field Service Technician * Electrical Maintenance Technician * Machine Builder / Wiring Technician * Industrial Controls Technician Company ...

NCSL International

$53 - $89/hr

Apprentice Controls Technician Position Purpose As a LONG Apprentice Controls Technician, you will ... Enroll in and stay current in the ASP Building Automation Technician Program. * Other duties ...

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How much do apprentice automation technician jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for apprentice automation technician in the United States is $19.36, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.15 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an apprentice automation technician?

An Apprentice Automation Technician is an entry-level role where individuals learn to install, maintain, and repair automated systems under the guidance of experienced technicians. They assist in troubleshooting electrical and mechanical components, programming robotic systems, and testing automated equipment. This position provides hands-on training in industrial automation, preparing apprentices for a full technician role. Typically, apprentices work in manufacturing, logistics, or other industries that rely on automation.

What does an apprentice automation technician do?

As an Apprentice Automation Technician, your daily responsibilities typically include assisting with the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of automated equipment under the supervision of senior technicians. You may help conduct routine inspections, document system issues, and support testing and calibration of machinery. Collaboration with engineers, electricians, and other technicians is common as you learn and develop your skills on the job. These hands-on experiences provide invaluable learning opportunities and lay the foundation for more advanced roles in automation technology.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an apprentice automation technician?

To thrive as an Apprentice Automation Technician, you need a basic understanding of electrical and mechanical systems, troubleshooting skills, and a high school diploma or technical coursework in automation or related fields. Familiarity with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and industry-standard safety protocols is often expected, and some employers may prefer candidates pursuing relevant certifications. Strong attention to detail, willingness to learn, teamwork, and effective communication skills help apprentices adapt quickly and contribute to project goals. These abilities ensure you can safely and efficiently support automation processes, learn complex systems, and collaborate well with experienced technicians and engineers.

Are apprentice automation technicians in demand?

Apprentice automation technicians are in demand due to the growing use of automation and control systems across industries such as manufacturing, energy, and technology. Employers seek individuals with skills in PLC programming, electrical systems, and troubleshooting, often requiring relevant certifications and hands-on experience. The job outlook is positive, with opportunities for advancement as automation technology continues to evolve.
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Apprentice Automation Technician jobs near you
Infographic showing various Apprentice Automation Technician job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,268 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Automation Technician

Toyo Tire Corporation

White, GA • On-site

$37K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago

Job description

Position Summary
The Automation Technician is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and improving the plant's automated manufacturing equipment and control systems. This position serves as a technical resource for PLC-controlled equipment, robotics, HMIs, industrial networks, drives, motion control, instrumentation, and electrical control systems.
The Automation Technician's primary objective is to reduce equipment downtime, improve reliability, eliminate recurring automation failures, and support safe and efficient production.
The position works closely with Maintenance Technicians, Production, Engineering, Reliability, IT/OT, and equipment vendors. The Automation Technician is expected to provide hands-on troubleshooting while also developing the automation capabilities of the broader maintenance organization.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Automation Troubleshooting
  • Troubleshoot PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment during production failures.
  • Diagnose electrical, controls, communication, programming, and instrumentation problems.
  • Use PLC software to identify failed inputs, outputs, sequences, interlocks, permissives, timers, counters, and logic conditions.
  • Troubleshoot HMI alarms and equipment sequences.
  • Troubleshoot industrial communication networks and remote I/O.
  • Diagnose servo, VFD, motor control, sensor, encoder, and positioning problems.
  • Support troubleshooting of robotic and automated material-handling systems.
  • Assist Maintenance Technicians with complex automation failures.
  • Restore equipment safely and efficiently while maintaining proper machine safeguards.

PLC / HMI Systems
Maintain and troubleshoot applicable plant control platforms, which may include:
  • PLCs
  • HMIs
  • Remote I/O
  • Safety PLCs
  • VFDs
  • Servo systems
  • Motion controllers
  • Industrial Ethernet networks
  • ControlLogix/CompactLogix or equivalent platforms
  • Machine vision systems
  • Barcode/RFID systems
  • Process instrumentation

Programming changes shall follow established authorization, documentation, backup, and change-management procedures.
Preventive and Predictive Maintenance
  • Perform automation-related PMs.
  • Inspect control panels and electrical components.
  • Verify sensors, switches, encoders, and feedback devices.
  • Inspect industrial network connections.
  • Identify deteriorating automation components before failure.
  • Recommend replacement of obsolete or unreliable automation components.
  • Develop automation PM procedures where gaps exist.
  • Document completed work accurately in the CMMS.

Equipment Reliability
The Automation Technician is expected to move beyond simply resetting equipment.
For significant or repetitive automation failures:
  • Identify the actual failure mode.
  • Determine root cause.
  • Recommend corrective action.
  • Implement approved permanent solutions.
  • Verify effectiveness after implementation.
  • Document lessons learned.

Repeated failures should be escalated for root-cause analysis rather than continually repaired without corrective action.
Continuous Improvement
  • Identify opportunities to reduce downtime through automation improvements.
  • Improve machine diagnostics and alarm descriptions.
  • Recommend HMI improvements that make troubleshooting easier.
  • Identify opportunities for automated condition monitoring.
  • Participate in equipment upgrades and capital projects.
  • Support equipment commissioning and acceptance testing.
  • Assist Engineering with controls-related modifications.
  • Maintain standardized programming and documentation practices.

Maintenance Team Development
A critical responsibility of this position is building automation capability within the maintenance department.
The Automation Technician will:
  • Provide hands-on PLC troubleshooting training to Maintenance Technicians.
  • Teach technicians how to safely navigate PLC programs.
  • Explain machine sequences, permissives, interlocks, and alarms.
  • Develop troubleshooting guides for high-failure equipment.
  • Conduct structured automation training sessions.
  • Mentor technicians during actual breakdowns rather than simply taking over the repair.
  • Help identify technicians capable of progressing into higher automation skill levels.

The goal is to prevent automation knowledge from becoming concentrated in one individual.
Safety Responsibilities
The Automation Technician shall comply with all plant safety requirements, including:
  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
  • Electrical safe-work practices
  • Arc-flash requirements
  • Machine guarding
  • Robotics safety
  • Control of hazardous energy
  • Working-at-height requirements
  • Confined-space procedures where applicable

PLC programming, HMI manipulation, forcing I/O, bypassing interlocks, or changing machine logic shall never be used to defeat a safety device or circumvent LOTO requirements.
Minimum Qualifications
Education/Training
Associate degree, technical diploma, military technical training, apprenticeship, or equivalent experience in:
  • Industrial Automation
  • Electrical/Electronics Technology
  • Mechatronics
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Controls Engineering Technology
  • Related technical discipline

Experience
Preferred:
  • 3+ years industrial automation or controls experience.
  • Experience in high-volume manufacturing.
  • Experience troubleshooting automated production equipment.
  • Experience working in a 24/7 manufacturing environment.

Technical Competencies
The Automation Technician should demonstrate competency in:
  • PLC troubleshooting
  • Ladder logic
  • HMI troubleshooting
  • Electrical schematics
  • Control circuits
  • Sensors
  • VFDs
  • Servo systems
  • Industrial networking
  • Motor controls
  • Robotics
  • Machine safety systems
  • Root-cause analysis
  • Preventive maintenance
  • CMMS documentation

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