Shift: 1st shift 

City: Valley City  

Swagelok, Northeast Ohio, USA
 

Swagelok is a global organization and one of the largest employers of manufacturing talent in Northeast Ohio.  We are driven by our core values of Quality, Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Customer Focus, Innovation, and Continuous Improvement, which are demonstrated through our daily actions. For 75 years, our dedication to our core values has been the foundation for our success.  Our products have been up into space, down to the bottom of the ocean, and everywhere in between. That same dedication spans to our customers. 
 

Throughout our organization we demonstrate a commitment to these values and those we bring onboard. Whether you want to grow in your role or explore broad opportunities and develop new skills—you’ll thrive in a culture that promotes learning and development. 

We strive to be a company where we all can do our best work with a true sense of purpose and belonging.  

Be Connected. Be Valued. Be You.  
 

We hope you’ll consider joining our team. 

Position Summary:

The Senior Principal Automation Technician is an advanced technical role focused on providing expert-level troubleshooting, system optimization, and system design across complex automation systems. This position is responsible for handling the most challenging technical issues and optimizing automation systems to improve performance, reliability, and efficiency. The Senior Principal Automation Technician will work closely with engineering teams to ensure seamless integration of automation solutions, provide mentorship and knowledge transfer to other technicians, and stay ahead of industry trends to apply new technologies to system improvements. This role involves mentoring a team of technicians, leading long-term automation projects, and providing expert-level troubleshooting and system optimization. Individuals will drive cross-functional collaboration to ensure operational excellence will also influence decision-making and strategic direction related to automation within the organization.

 

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Mentors a team of technicians, fostering an environment of growth, collaboration, and technical excellence.
• Designs, integrates, and optimizes complex automation systems to enhance operational efficiency and system reliability.
• Provides expert-level troubleshooting and support for complex automation systems, driving problem resolution and continuous improvement.
• Leads automation projects and installations, ensuring they meet specifications.
• Modifies, reverse engineers, and optimizes existing automation systems to improve functionality and performance.
• Provides leadership and guidance for long-term automation projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and operational needs.
• Enhances comprehensive documentation and report system performance regularly.
• Recommends and influences improvements for automated system solutions, including electrical, controls, robotic, pneumatic, and mechanical systems.
• Collaborates with engineering teams to optimize and improve automation systems (including PLCs, robots, and vision systems) for better efficiency, quality, and reliability.
• Influences decision-making and strategic planning regarding automation systems and technological innovations.
• Oversees the development of new automation systems, from conceptual design through to implementation and optimization.
• Ensures all automation systems and projects comply with safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Proactively identifies opportunities for continuous improvement and implements solutions to enhance system performance and reduce downtime.

• Applies engineering theory, practices, and principles to perform failure analysis to determine root cause of equipment failures and conduct machinery performance evaluations.

• Leads technical communication and quotations with 3rd party automation / integrator vendors.

• Collaborates cross-functionally with other groups such as Operations, IT, Sourcing, and other stakeholders as needed.

• Contributes to training and development activities to stay current with new automation technologies and industry best practices.

 

 

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

Required:

• 2-year associate's degree in a related field (e.g., Mechanical Engineering Technology, Robotics, Mechatronics, Controls, or other automation fields); OR 2 additional years of relevant experience in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in automation and controls engineering.
• Manufacturing, assembly, and/or warehouse experience preferred.
• Advanced technical courses or on the job training in related field.
• Extensive experience leading automation projects, system integrations, and troubleshooting complex automation issues.
• Excellent user of moderately technical tools.
• Subject matter expert (SME) in areas of expertise.
• Demonstrates excellent communication, programming and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong computer and office software skills.
• Excellent written communication skills.

 

Critical Competencies:

Service OrientationTeamwork and CollaborationResilienceEnabling ChangeManaging ComplexityInfluence

Working Conditions and/or Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA and other federal, state and local standards.

Ability to pass vision acuity test with or without reasonable accommodation.   

Swagelok provides a comprehensive package of valuable benefits called Total Rewards focused on health and wellness, compensation, retirement planning, and supplemental rewards.  
 

To apply: 

1. Click ‘Apply Now’ to the role of interest, upload your resume and complete the application.

2. Those that match our qualifications will be contacted to schedule a phone interview. 
 

Congratulations on taking the first step to Be Connected. Be Valued. Be You. 

 

Swagelok is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  Applicants are selected without regard to race, ethnicity, creed, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, pregnancy-related medical conditions, age, national origin or ancestry, disability, genetic information, veteran/military status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristic under federal, state or local law. 

Swagelok will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and Ohio state law.  

This job summary is intended to be brief and does not list all the duties for this position. Nothing in this job description should be construed as an express or implied contract of employment. Swagelok is an at-will employer, which means that either party is free to terminate the employment relationship at any time, without any advanced notice, for any reason or no reason.