Location: In Person
Salary: $80,000–$95,000 per year
Company: Solina Canada
Employment Type: Full-Time
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Maintenance Director, the Process & Packaging Automation Technician will serve as the plant’s Automation Subject Matter Expert (SME).
Your primary responsibility will be ensuring the reliable operation of automated manufacturing and packaging systems through advanced troubleshooting, technical support, and automation expertise.
This is not primarily a project engineering role. Success in this position will be measured by your ability to:
Maximize equipment uptime
Quickly diagnose and resolve automation issues
Support maintenance and production teams
Maintain the integrity and reliability of control systems
Implement permanent solutions to recurring automation problems
You will work closely with Maintenance, Production, Quality, Engineering, OEMs, system integrators, and external service providers to keep critical manufacturing systems operating safely and efficiently.
Key Responsibilities
Automation Troubleshooting & Reliability
Diagnose and resolve complex automation issues affecting manufacturing and packaging equipment.
Troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, VFDs, sensors, instrumentation, and control systems.
Provide advanced controls support to maintenance technicians and electricians.
Minimize production downtime through effective fault diagnosis and rapid problem resolution.
Perform root cause analysis and implement permanent corrective actions.
Maintain automation backups, documentation, software revisions, and system records.
Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability and uptime.
Process Automation
Support automated process equipment, including:
Ingredient delivery systems
Batch processing systems
Mixers and cookers
Pumps and automated valves
CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems
Process instrumentation
Utility control systems
Ensure process automation systems remain reliable while supporting product quality and food safety requirements.
Packaging Automation
Support automated packaging equipment, including:
Fillers
Cappers
Labelers
Conveyors
Case packers
Palletizers
Robotic systems
Troubleshoot production issues and implement improvements that maximize line availability, reliability, and performance.
Projects & Technical Support
Support the installation, commissioning, startup, and validation of new automation equipment.
Coordinate with OEMs, system integrators, contractors, and equipment suppliers.
Participate in equipment upgrades and automation improvements.
Assist with Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) when required.
Preserve and continuously improve plant automation knowledge and technical documentation.
Support the maintenance team during equipment installations, modifications, and upgrades.
Safety & Compliance
Perform all work in accordance with Electrical Safety Authority (ESA) requirements and plant safety standards.
Support Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and safe maintenance practices.
Ensure automation systems support food safety and quality requirements.
Participate in audits, inspections, and compliance activities.
Maintain a strong safety-first approach to all troubleshooting and maintenance activities.
Collaboration & Leadership
Work closely with Production, Maintenance, Engineering, Quality, and Continuous Improvement teams.
Act as the plant’s primary automation technical resource.
Support and mentor maintenance personnel on automation-related issues.
Communicate effectively with internal stakeholders, OEMs, contractors, and automation vendors.
Take ownership of plant automation reliability and technical knowledge.
Qualifications
Education
Diploma or Degree in one of the following:
Automation Engineering Technology
Electrical Engineering Technology
Industrial Electronics
Industrial Automation
Or equivalent technical experience
A licensed Industrial Electrician (442A or 309A) with strong automation experience will also be strongly considered.
Experience
Minimum 5 years of hands-on industrial automation experience in a manufacturing environment.
Proven experience troubleshooting automated manufacturing equipment in live production environments.
Experience supporting both process and packaging automation is strongly preferred.
Food manufacturing experience is considered a significant asset.
3+ years of robotics experience required.
Technical Skills
Strong hands-on experience with:
Rockwell Automation — ControlLogix, CompactLogix, Studio 5000
Siemens PLCs — TIA Portal
HMIs and SCADA systems
Ignition experience is an asset
Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
Industrial instrumentation and sensors
Industrial Ethernet communications
EtherNet/IP
Modbus
Profibus
Electrical drawings and control schematics
Additional experience with Fanuc or equivalent robotics is considered an asset.
Experience with automated process systems such as batching, ingredient delivery, and CIP systems is highly desirable.
What We’re Looking For
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
Strong troubleshooting and analytical skills
The ability to work independently with minimal supervision
A calm and effective approach under production pressure
Excellent communication and teamwork
Strong organizational skills
A safety-focused mindset
A results-oriented approach
A strong sense of ownership and accountability
The ability to become the go-to automation resource for the plant
What We Offer
Competitive salary: $80,000–$95,000 based on experience
Comprehensive health and dental benefits
Extended health care
Life insurance
Vision care
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Group RRSP with employer matching contributions up to 5%
Professional development opportunities
On-site parking
Stable employment within a growing organization
The opportunity to become the plant’s Automation Subject Matter Expert
The opportunity to work in one of Solina Canada’s highly automated manufacturing facilities
Why Join Us?
This newly created position offers a unique opportunity to take ownership of automation within a modern manufacturing facility.
You will play a critical role in ensuring production reliability, supporting continuous manufacturing operations, and maintaining the advanced automation systems that drive our business.
If you enjoy solving complex technical problems, working directly with production equipment, minimizing downtime, and becoming the go-to automation expert in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, we want to hear from you.
Application Questions
Please answer the following questions as part of your application:
How many years of experience do you have working in industrial automation within a manufacturing environment?
Do you have hands-on experience programming and troubleshooting PLCs?
Do you have experience working with HMI and/or SCADA systems?
Do you have experience troubleshooting automated processing and packaging equipment in a manufacturing environment?
Additional Requirements
Robotics: 3 years required
Language: English required
Work Location: In person