Founded in 1968, MPI Label Systems has spent 58 years evolving into a top-tier authority in the labeling industry. Headquartered in Sebring, Ohio, the company operates 11 manufacturing facilities across the U.S., delivering a "total solution" approach through high-volume flexographic and precision digital printing. Beyond production, MPI is one of the nation's largest distributors of labeling equipment, providing a seamless integration of custom labels, high-tech application machinery, and nationwide technical support.
Job Description: We are looking for a hands-on RFID Technical Support Specialist to support our label manufacturing operations. You will be the “go-to” expert for the hardware and software that embeds intelligence into our labels, ensuring that our printers, readers, and computer systems are perfectly synchronized for high-volume production.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Reader & Testing Systems
● Hardware Support: Maintain and troubleshoot fixed RFID readers and antennas used to verify 100% of manufactured rolls.
● Validation: Use handheld and fixed readers to perform spot checks on finished inventory to ensure data integrity and read-range compliance.
● Firmware: Keep all reader hardware up to date with the latest firmware to maintain compatibility with evolving tag protocols.
● Support and have working knowledge of the various standards of UHF and HF data encoding data structures
2. Software & Data Integration
● Label Design: Support the use of design software (Easylabel, Customer tools) to map variable data fields to RFID memory banks (EPC, User, TID).
● Middleware: Manage the software “bridge” that connects our production equipment to our ERP/database systems.
● Encoding Files: Verify that incoming encoding files from customers are formatted correctly and translate accurately to the physical tags.
3. General Computer & Network Support
● Workstation Maintenance: Provide Tier 1 & 2 support for the PCs, tablets, and HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces) used on the production line.
● Connectivity: Ensure all RFID equipment is properly networked (LAN/WLAN) and communicating with the central server.
● Log Management: Monitor system logs to identify and resolve data bottlenecks or communication drops.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications
● Experience: 2+ years in a technical support role within a manufacturing or industrial environment.
● RFID Knowledge: Understanding of UHF Gen2 protocols and how physical environments (metal/liquid/interference) affect tag performance.
● Printer Expertise: Deep familiarity with industrial thermal printer mechanics and RFID encoding modules.
● Networking Basics: Solid grasp of TCP/IP, static IPs, and troubleshooting wireless connectivity in an industrial setting.
● Problem Solving: A “detective” mindset to find out why a tag isn’t reading—whether it’s a hardware failure, software glitch, or a bad batch of inlays.
● Providing excellent communication and support: work with management and operators in each department, putting a priority on making sure the issue is fixed properly. Listen and work with the operator to understand the issue and work to provide the correct fix.
What Success Looks Like
● Zero Downtime: Proactive maintenance keeps the printing and encoding lines running smoothly.
● Data Accuracy: 100% verification that the data written to the chip matches the data printed on the face of the label.
● Efficiency: Minimizing “scrap” by identifying and correcting encoding errors early in the production run.
MPI offers a competitive wage, health insurance, 401 (k), paid holidays & vacation.
MPI Label Systems is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or disability status.
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- technical support role in mfg or industrial environment.: 2 years (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Alliance, OH 44601 (Required)
Work Location: In person
