About our Organization:
Valmetal prides itself on delivering innovative equipment and the highest level of service to customers. We work to simplify the daily life of our clients by delivering reliable products and integrated solutions that increaseproductivity and optimize feeding and waste management on farms and processing plants.
Every team member plays a critical role in advancing our technology, strengthening customer relationships,and supporting the long-term success of our organization. We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated LeadAutomation Technician to provide technical leadership while remaining actively engaged in field service andsystem support.
About the Position:
The Lead Automation Technician is responsible for overseeing all automation service operations, includingcall management, technician scheduling, field support coordination, training, and technical leadership. This role serves as the primary escalation point for automation-related service issues and maintains direct hands-on responsibility for installations, commissioning, troubleshooting, and repairs.
This position combines leadership, technical expertise, customer interaction, and operational coordination to ensure consistent service quality and system reliability.
Duties/Responsibilities:
- Travel to the Turlock Service Center to provide hands-on training and technical support, ensuringconsistent and high-quality service across the dealer network.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for all automation-related service calls.
- Direct and support Automation Technicians in troubleshooting, installations, and commissioning.
- Schedule and dispatch automation technicians based on service priorities and workload.
- Provide hands-on training for automation technicians on control panels, PLCs, VFDs, and system
diagnostics.
- Develop and maintain standardized troubleshooting guides and start-up procedures.
- Participate in product improvement discussions and provide field-based technical feedback.
- Act as first responder for troubleshooting manure separation, manure handling, feeding, and processing control systems.
- Diagnose and repair control panel and electrical issues remotely and in the field.
- Install, terminate, and test electrical, pneumatic, and fluid connections.
- Program and troubleshoot PLCs and VFDs.
- Commission and start up Valmetal equipment.
- Conduct post-start up review to ensure system functionality.
- Review alarm codes and system diagnostics via cloud-based platforms daily.
- Provide advanced technical phone support to customers.
- Escalate recurring issues and recommend long-term solutions to management.
- Other job-related duties as assigned.
Qualifications & Skills:
- Valid California Driver’s License.
- High school diploma or GED required; technical certification or related education preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in automation, control panels, PLC programming, and industrial
electrical troubleshooting.
- Prior leadership or supervisory experience preferred.
- Strong working knowledge of agricultural, dairy, or industrial automation environments.
- Proficient in PLC programming, VFD configuration, and control panel diagnostics.
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics and technical documentation.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage schedules and prioritize service calls.
- Effective communication skills for customer interaction and internal coordination.
- Ability to work in deadline-driven environments.
- Basic math proficiency.
- Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment and work well with internal customers.
Benefits:
- Comprehensive benefits package includes voluntary health, dental, and vision insurance, employer paid AD&D and life insurance.
- Retirement savings plan with employer matches up to 4%.
- Paid time off and 9 holidays per year, after 30 days of employment.
- Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Environmental Conditions:
- Indoor/outdoor, dairy or agriculture environment 95% of the time.
- The noise level in this environment is moderate.
- Driving vehicle 5% of the time
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to work near moving mechanical parts and equipment. and is exposed to fumes and airborne particles and will be in wet and
- humid conditions occasionally.
- Perform duties as assigned while following safety requirements, including wearing proper Personal
- Protective Equipment (PPE).
Physical Demands:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach with hands and arms, and use hands to finger, handle, or free objects.
- Ability to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds often throughout the shift.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
- A 40-hour work week will be considered normal. Extra hours, working non-scheduled hours and extra workdays may be needed to accommodate changing repair schedules, urgent repairs, product development and other special situations.
Compensation:
- PAY RANGES: $$34-$44/hour
- In compliance with California Labor Code §432.3, Valmetal includes the pay scale in all job postings for positions that may be filled in California. The posted range represents what we reasonably expect to pay for the position based on internal compensation data, budget, and market analysis. Pay decisions for individual candidates are based on experience, education, and alignment with internal equity.
Changes: This job description may be modified if duties and responsibilities change. Job functions are subject to modification based on business necessity.
ADA/FEHA: The Company will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act.
EEO: The Company is an equal employment opportunity employer.
Pay: $34.00 - $44.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Employee discount
- Health insurance
Work Location: In person
