Associate Automation Engineer Jobs in Minneapolis, MN

Be yourself at Protolabs
Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to building a diverse team that feels they are valued in the workplace. So do you feel you do not meet every single requirement but still intrigued? We encourage you to still apply! You can help make our company even better. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, age, mental or physical ability, or any way you represent yourself. We strongly believe diversity makes for more successful teams.
Why Protolabs?
We are the leaders in digital manufacturing. We hire doers, makers, and creative thinkers who tackle our roles with an entrepreneurial spirit. Our culture is centered around meaningful work that brings new and innovative products to market at unprecedented speeds. We are a diverse team that comes from all walks of life and take pride in our team who is smart, genuine, humble, and passionate about what we do. It's our people who fuel our creativity and make our culture feel like home.
Join our team as a Mold and Automation Technician
The Automation Technician is responsible for contributing to efforts aimed at developing and implementing optimal, cost-effective manufacturing processes and methods in accordance with product specifications and quality
standards. Provide guidance to improve proficiency in automation.
What you will do:
• Be a member of cross-disciplinary teams developing and improving manufacturing automation processes. Identify opportunities for cost saving or expanded automation capabilities.
• Help develop automation concepts and apply analytical techniques to support decision processes.
• Initiate, design, and develop automation strategies for new processes.
• Troubleshoot production problems in terms of automation as needed. Identify automation bottlenecks and quality issues. Identify potential design improvements and alternatives in terms of press/manufacturing automation.
• Collaborate with engineering department and automation team to enhance and debug processes, tooling, and new products.
• Support area as "Automation Molding Subject Matter Expert", who thoroughly knows equipment and processes as it relates to automation.
• Mentor and train Associate Mold Process Technicians and Mold Process Technicians on automation set-up, trouble shooting and creative automation solutions.
• Flexibility to change schedule hours and support off shift for automation evaluations and training mold techs
• Help to design and implement ergonomics solutions as part of the automation process
• Meet with the Shift Supervisor and other Process Technicians to discuss all issues relating to automation on the shop floor.
• Ensure presses are running correct cycle time and match what is documented.
• Perform thorough part inspections and make appropriate decisions relative to part quality requirements.
• Request, evaluate and monitor mold modifications and repair through the rework system.
• Build communication relationships with Build, Designers, Engineers, CSEs and Supervisors.
• In relation to Automation, ensure mold is set properly and document set-up
• Accurately record process specifications onto cycle sheets.
• Adhere to all quality and safety standards within the department.
• Maintain clean and organized work area with emphasis on safety, quality, efficiency, and utilization.
• Continually seek to improve work processes and individual performance.
• Develop, optimize (incorporating design of experiments), stabilize, and troubleshoot injection molding processes using a wide variety of engineered and commodity type resins on a wide range of injection molding machinery.
What it will take:
Education and Experience:
• Minimum 2-year technical degree or 4 years of equivalent experience in molding.
• 1 year experience in automation implementation experience.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Strong written and oral communication skills: able to communicate complex technical information to all levels of the organization, able to clearly present data in written and verbal form.
• Exhibit leadership skills that are consistent with Protolabs values - strong work ethics, technical knowledge, and employee oriented.
• Able to safely operate handheld and stationary power tools.
• Able to understand electrical-pneumatic components and schematics
• Able to understand ladder logic and or robotic programming language
• Able to use measuring instruments such as scales, calipers, dial indicators.
• Demonstrated ability to reduce cycle times, improving part quality and machine utilization in line with Protolabs objectives.
• Able to perform basic fabrication and assembly
• Able to work safely with sharp and heavy objects (e.g., utility knives, aluminum blocks).
• Able to use a computer and calculator. Able to read and write in English and do basic arithmetic.
• Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
• Must be punctual and have good attendance.
• In the subjective judgment of managers, supervisors, and master molders, the candidate must possess the temperament and depth and range of skills necessary to be successful in this position.
• Strong attention to detail and experience with managing project documents and producing quality content.
• Must be able to take initiative and work independently.
• Self-motivated and self-directed with high sense of urgency
• Able to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented work environment.
• Strong time management skills with the ability to successfully perform within a project framework including defined deliverables and time frames.
• Concurrently solve immediate issues while maintaining a vision of the future
What's in it for you:

• We offer a competitive salary
• In addition, we offer amazing benefits including but not limited to:
  • Health Insurance: Traditional OR High Deductible plan
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Health Savings Account (including employer contributions)
  • Dental and Vision
  • Basic and Supplemental Life Insurance
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid caregiver leave
• You will receive 3 weeks of PTO + Holiday Pay + Wellness Hours + Volunteer Hours
• 401k with company match and immediate vest
• Employee Stock Purchase Program at a 15% discounted rate
• Matching grants through Protolabs foundation
• And More!

$31 - $44 biweekly
Protolabs offers a competitive total rewards package, and compensation mix vary based on position, such as base wage, as well as other earnings including incentives and commissions. Actual pay offered will vary depending on multiple factors which may include, without limitation, job function, work experience, specialized skills, training, education, and certifications.
Proto Labs maintains ITAR-compliant operations in all of our United States based facilities. Due to ITAR regulations, this role is only open to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) or foreign nationals granted refugee or asylee status. Individuals with temporary visas (e.g. E, F-1, H-1, H-2, L, B, J, TN or OPT) are not eligible for hire in this role.
Proto Labs, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Physical Demands:
While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to sit; use a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse, telephone and printer; reach with hands, and arms, talk, see and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, stoop or kneel and must be able to lift and/or move up to 70 pounds.
Work Environment:
Indoors (A/C); nonsmoking; the majority of this job function is performed in a manufacturing area exposed to machinery and noise; with eye protection and safety shoes required. Occasionally works in outside weather conditions. Occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.