Automation Technician

Position Overview

Novelis is one of the world leaders in aluminum recycling and rolling and a leading sustainable aluminum solutions provider. Driven by our purpose of shaping a sustainable world together, we work alongside our customers to provide innovative solutions to the aerospace, automotive, beverage packaging and specialty markets. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Novelis has approximately 13,000 employees in 32 operating facilities on 4 continents.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

The Automation Technician is responsible for supporting the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the plant’s automation, electrical, electronic, instrumentation, controls, and electro-mechanical systems. This position serves as a technical resource for industrial automation equipment and process control systems, performing troubleshooting, repair, installation, programming, calibration, preventive maintenance, and system upgrades to maximize equipment reliability and plant performance. The Automation Technician partners closely with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, Reliability, and Process teams to resolve equipment issues, support capital projects and outages, and drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance. The Automation Technician is expected to work independently with minimal supervision, serve as an on-shift technical leader for automation systems, maintain accurate technical documentation, and promote a strong culture of safety and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Automation Systems Support & Reliability

• Maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and optimize PLCs, HMIs, industrial computers, process control systems, instrumentation, sensors, drives, and automation equipment.
• Function as the primary technical resource for automation and process control systems during assigned shifts.
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to maximize equipment reliability and minimize downtime.
• Diagnose electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation-related failures using structured troubleshooting techniques.
• Conduct system backups, restorations, firmware updates, and software maintenance activities for PLC, HMI, and industrial control systems.
• Monitor system health and equipment performance trends to identify and implement reliability improvements.

Electrical & Instrumentation Maintenance

• Troubleshoot and repair motors, VFDs, motor controls, electrical distribution systems, process instrumentation, and control devices.
• Inspect, calibrate, and maintain field instruments, sensors, transmitters, analyzers, and control loops.
• Repair and replace components within control panels, Remote I/O systems, automation cabinets, and electrical equipment.
• Support troubleshooting of hydraulic, pneumatic, and electromechanical systems.

Technical Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement

• Provide rapid response to automation, electrical, and process control issues affecting production.
• Analyze equipment and process performance data, including trends, alarms, and diagnostic information, to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, and Operations teams to develop and implement automation improvements.
• Support reliability initiatives, predictive maintenance programs, and process optimization efforts.
• Recommend and implement solutions that improve safety, productivity, quality, equipment availability, and cost performance.

Project Support & System Development

• Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, modernization efforts, and outage activities.
• Assist with PLC programming, HMI development, control system configuration, and commissioning activities.
• Participate in design reviews, factory acceptance testing (FAT), startup activities, and system validation.
• Maintain current system documentation, backups, network diagrams, and automation standards.

Computer Systems & Industrial Networks

• Maintain industrial computer hardware, operating systems, virtualization platforms, and thin-client environments.
• Support cybersecurity efforts through software patching, antivirus maintenance, backup verification, and secure system configurations.
• Troubleshoot industrial Ethernet networks, communication protocols, and network-connected automation devices.
• Support integration of automation platforms using protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, and related industrial communication systems.

Documentation & Planning

• Utilize SAP or computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) to create, update, and close work orders.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, troubleshooting findings, repairs, equipment history, and system modifications.
• Support development and improvement of maintenance procedures, troubleshooting guides, and technical standards.

Safety, Compliance & Environmental Stewardship

• Embrace and model Novelis Safety Absolutes while supporting a zero-injury culture.
• Comply with all safety, environmental, quality, and operational procedures.
• Follow applicable OSHA, NEC, NFPA 70E, Lockout/Tagout, arc flash, grounding, machine guarding, and electrical safe work practices.
• Identify and mitigate electrical, automation, and equipment-related risks through proactive maintenance and safe work practices.
• Support compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949, ASI, and other plant certification requirements.

Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing

• Partner effectively with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, Reliability, and Process teams to achieve production objectives.
• Provide technical coaching and support to technicians, operators, and contractors.
• Deliver responsive internal customer support while maintaining strong working relationships across the organization.
• Assist in training team members on automation systems, troubleshooting techniques, and standard work practices.

Qualifications & Skills

Education

Required

• High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred

• Associate Degree in Electrical Technology, Electronics Technology, Automation Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• Journeyman Electrician License, Automation Certification, or equivalent technical trade certification.

Experience

Required

• Minimum 3 years of experience in industrial manufacturing, maintenance, automation, or controls environment.
• Experience troubleshooting industrial automation systems, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, instrumentation, and motor controls.
• Experience maintaining electrical, instrumentation, and process control equipment in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience working with preventive and corrective maintenance programs.
• Working knowledge of PLCs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor controls, and industrial automation systems. 

Preferred

• Experience in a heavy manufacturing or continuous-process environment. 
• Experience supporting reliability improvement initiatives, capital projects, and preventive maintenance programs. 

Technical Knowledge

• Knowledge of electrical distribution systems, motors, drives, instrumentation, and industrial control systems.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply electrical schematics, ladder logic diagrams, P&IDs, instrument loop drawings, and technical manuals.
• Proficiency in diagnosing equipment failures and implementing corrective actions using structured troubleshooting methodologies. 
• Working knowledge of maintenance management systems, preferably SAP. 
• Knowledge of industrial automation devices including sensors, transmitters, analyzers, drives, HMIs, and process controls.
• Ability to troubleshoot digital and analog I/O systems, instrumentation circuits, and process control systems.

Core Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. 
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Strong customer service orientation and commitment to supporting internal stakeholders. 
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the ability to mentor and provide technical guidance to others.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required to support plant operations.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements of an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Near constant standing and walking with occasional climbing, balancing, bending, kneeling, reaching, and lifting.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and work safely around electrical and mechanical equipment.

Preferred Certifications

• NFPA 70E Electrical Safety Training.
• PLC programming and troubleshooting certification.
• Industrial Automation or Instrumentation certification.
• OSHA 10-hour or OSHA 30-hour certification.
• Rockwell Automation Certification
• Siemens Automation Certification

Location Profile

Novelis’ Greensboro facility is located in Greensboro Georgia. With 140 employees it is the first stand-alone used beverage can recycling facility in the company now responsible for pioneering a majority of Novelis’ recycling technologies. Residents enjoy nearby Lake Oconee which includes several golf communities. In addition Athens Georgia – home to the University of Georgia and hundreds of cultural and sporting events each year – is a short drive away. Novelis Greensboro actively promotes safety recycling and STEM education through several local community organizations and in 2018 the Boys and Girls Club named Novelis its Business Partner of the Year.

Novelis recognizes its talented and diverse workforce as a key competitive advantage. Novelis provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. All terms and conditions of employment at Novelis including recruiting hiring placement promotion termination layoffs recalls transfers leaves of absence compensation and training are without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal provincial or local laws.

Disclaimer

We encourage all potential candidates to follow the protocols below and to be diligent when sharing any personal information:1. Check the job posting is live and valid via our careers page: Careers - Novelis2. Verify any communication with us by contacting our talent team at Careers - Novelis