Automation & Engineering Technician

At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don’t hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.

We’re everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren’t buzzwords, they’re expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands-Jack Link’s®, Lorissa’s Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, and Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few-there’s nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it.

Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that’s full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.

Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.

The Automation Technician is responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing robotic systems and automated manufacturing equipment. This role ensures equipment reliability, supports continuous improvement initiatives, and contributes to safe and efficient production operations.

Available Shifts:

• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Friday
• 6:00 AM-5:00 PM, Monday-Thursday
• 2:00 PM-11:00 PM, Monday-Thursday
• 5:00 AM-5:00 PM, Friday-Sunday

Key Responsibilities

• Installation & Commissioning
• Install, configure, and calibrate industrial robots, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, and automation systems.
• Assist in commissioning new automated equipment and validating system performance.
• Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams.

Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on robotic arms, conveyors, vision systems, actuators, and control systems.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and programming faults using diagnostic tools, software, and test equipment.
• Restore systems to optimal performance with minimal downtime.
• Programming & Technical Support
• Modify robot pathways, PLC logic, and machine parameters as needed.
• Support continuous improvement and process optimization initiatives.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to implement automation upgrades.

Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all robotic cells and automation systems meet applicable safety standards (e.g., lockout/tagout, guarding, emergency stop circuits).
• Support safety audits and equipment validations.
• Maintain accurate documentation, maintenance logs, and technical reports.

Collaboration

• Work closely with maintenance, production, engineering, and quality teams to resolve equipment issues.
• Provide technical guidance to operators and maintenance personnel.
• Assist in training personnel on automated equipment use and basic troubleshooting.

Required Qualifications

• Experience with industrial robots such as ABB, FANUC, KUKA, Yaskawa, or similar.
• Knowledge of PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi), HMIs, and industrial networks.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read blueprints, wiring diagrams, and control schematics.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Robotics, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, Electrical Technology, or related field - or equivalent experience.
• Certification in robotics or automation (e.g., FANUC HandlingTool, ABB IRC5, Allen-Bradley PLC).
• Experience in manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, or food production environments.
• Understanding of pneumatics, hydraulics, vision systems, and servo control.
• Familiarity with safety standards such as ANSI/RIA, NFPA 70E, OSHA.

Key Competencies

• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Adaptability and willingness to learn advanced automation technologies.
• Attention to detail and commitment to safety.

The salary range for this role is $38 to $40 (hourly) all salaries will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Jack Link’s Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link’s provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to be successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant / office setting with varying degrees of temperatures and noise levels. Exposure to manufacturing equipment movement and wet / slippery floors. Travel may be required.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

Jack Link's is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

E-Verify

Jack Link's provides the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new Team Member’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. IMPORTANT: If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, we are required to provide you written instructions and an opportunity to contact SSA and/or DHS before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. We do not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. In order to determine whether Form I-9 documentation is valid, we use E-Verify’s photo screening tool to match the photograph appearing on some permanent resident and employment authorization cards with the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) photograph. If you believe that Jack Link’s has violated our responsibilities under this program or has discriminated against you during the verification process based upon your national origin or citizenship status, please call the Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).