The Automation Technician is the onsite contact for Informational and Operational Technology (IT/OT) issues and maintenance at our highly automated food production facility. This role requires a hands-on approach to support, troubleshoot, and optimize advanced manufacturing systems to ensure smooth operations and production excellence. Reporting to the Maintenance Lead, the Automation Technician will work closely with internal stakeholders and external vendors to enhance system reliability, address technical challenges, and contribute to Bay Center Foods’ Growing Excellence initiatives.

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $43.27 to $48.08. This pay scale takes into account a wide range of business factors and may change over time. 

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Chick-fil-A, Inc., Bay Center Foods (BCF), LLC is a state-of-the-art, highly automated and technology-focused food production facility serves Chick-fil-A restaurants across the network. Bay Center plays an important role in Chick-fil-A's growth enabling innovation to improve team member, and ultimately the customer experience.

The responsibilities for this role fall into three primary areas:

1. Infrastructure Support

Provide onsite support for network and computer-managed service providers.

Troubleshoot control hardware issues and ensure integration with BCF applications.

2. Application Support

Manage data and analytics needs for BCF and coordinate software patching with vendors, including new releases and security updates.

3. Automation Support

Troubleshoot complex OT equipment and maintain automation architecture, integrations, and security standards.

Document unique automation aspects across various equipment (GEA, Hiperbaric, Shape,

Swisslog, etc.).

Monitor the Robot Cloud System (Fanuc ZDT) for proactive error management.

Support, troubleshoot, and maintain PLCs (Rockwell, Siemens).

Handle production devices such as HMIs, Thin Clients, and IIoT devices.

Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for automation layers and lead training efforts.

Research, design, and commission plant improvements, supporting the advancement of automation standards.

Business Requirements

• Knowledge of industrial hardware, ISA S95 standards, and electrical safety requirements.
• Skilled in data analytics (ML, AI) with an ability to generate custom reports across systems.
• Understanding of Lean Manufacturing methodologies (RCFA, 5WHY, JIT, 5S).
• Familiarity with Industry 4.0 trends and industrial robotics (Fanuc, JBT AGVs, ASRS).
• Excellent troubleshooting skills, detail-oriented, and organized.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills to work across teams.

Self-motivated, adaptable to shift work, and able to handle multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering, related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Minimum of 1+ years of relevant experience (3+ years preferred).

Hands-on experience with PLCs (Rockwell, Siemens), Fanuc and JBT robots, VFDs, servomotors, and industrial instrumentation.

Proficiency in SCADA systems, including Ignition SCADA and Rockwell SE & ME HMIs.

Experience in a manufacturing environment, ideally in Food and Beverage

Rockwell FactoryTalk, Fanuc basics, Inductive Automation.