Automation Technician - Fochville
Salary Negotiable
Fochville, North-West
Fochville,
North-West
more than 14 days ago
19-01-2017 4:19:39 PM
02-02-2017 1:44:38 PM
Description of Position:
Ensure that Automated Assembly Lines and equipment are in a good state of repair to deliver quality product, with high efficiency. Ensures the smooth running of the plants through and with a team of operators and assembly assistants.
This position requires hands-on experience in the setup, maintenance, repair and operation of:
• Robotics
• PLCs, interfaces with HMI and systems and services
• Electrical and electronic equipment
• Instrumentation
• Mechanical drive systems: Pneumatics, VSD drives, servo motors
Ensure assembly line and production team meet operational and quality requirements safely.
Working Conditions:
This position requires full time service and availability on the plant. The successful candidate will be required to work shifts, perform standby duties and work overtime as and when required.
The successful candidate will be responsible to oversee automated production operations on multiple lines and coordinate operator and assistant duties. The company operates in a commercial explosives environment thus this person has a leading operational role in ensuring all safety requirement are met and maintained at all times.
Key Responsibilities:
Ensure the safe and efficient operation of multiple automated assembly lines by:
• Setting up the automated lines to perform at an optimal level.
• Maintaining the automated lines in accordance with operational requirements and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) specifications.
• Liaise with OEM and qualified and approved service providers as and when required to optimise automation control systems.
• Immediate response to attend to and resolve breakdowns or line upset conditions.
• Responsible to identify and resolve causes of deviations, operational failures and inefficiencies.
• To physically operate the machines as and when required.
• Overseeing duties and activities of the production team, including operators and assembly assistants.
• Train coach and develop operators and assembly assistants.
• To ensure and guarantee that only fully trained and competent operators and assistants are allowed to perform duties on the plant.
• Execute predictive and preventive maintenance on automation equipment and systems including but not limited to PLC/DCS control systems hardware and software, HMI, operating systems, servers, and instrumentation.
• Daily reporting on operational performance against agreed KPAs.
• Conduct routine performance analyses and diagnostic checks on automated systems, to ensure optimal performance of the line and determine additional interventions or corrective actions required.
• Ensure equipment, spares and material used have been released and are available for production.
• Ensures all products produced and released for distribution meets minimum quality standards and specifications.
• Ensure that the plant is started and shut down safely and correctly, following correct start-up and shut down procedures.
• Understand the hazards associated with handling hazardous and energetic materials and ensure the safe handling of these materials in the plant.
• Ensure compliance to clearance and lock-out procedures.
• Ensure compliance to change management procedures
• Ensure compliance with licence conditions.
• Assumes roll, duties and responsibilities of the most senior and responsible person after hours and on shift.
• Ensure compliance with the Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations as well as the Explosives Act and Regulations.
• Ensure compliance with internal maintenance and engineering standards.
• Understand the key elements that support productivity and ensure that these elements are applied in the plant.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
• Proven fault finding and trouble shooting skills in the automation environment.
• Ability to communicate technical detail with OEM and service providers and management.
• Minimum of 3 years hands-on maintenance experience on automated assembly processes.
• Qualified electrician, millwright or mechatronic technician.
• Working knowledge of maintaining, setting up, operating: robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics, programmable logic controllers, electrical circuits, electrical machinery and human-machine interfaces.
• The incumbent is expected to be proficient with various instruments, diagnostic tools, instruments and hand tools that are used in automated assembly and testing lines.
• Working knowledge of production and quality control principles.
• Ability to interpret, analyse and use complex technical data and error or warning messages.
• Ability to reference and interpret technical operating manuals, specifications drawings and diagrams.
• Ability to organise and prioritise tasks and consistently meet deadlines and schedules.
• Ability to grasp application and functioning of new technology.
• Able to respond positively to changing requirements and pressures.
• Physically fit and energetic with sober habits.
• No criminal record.
• Working knowledge and understanding of software, programming interfaces.
• Proven supervisory leadership.
• Formal certificate in automation technology or mechatronics.