Sr. Technical Specialist

Who We Are:
Challenge Manufacturing’s mission is to manufacture with operational excellence by empowering our employee-owners. As a leading tier 1 supplier of complex metal assemblies for the global automotive industry, we drive innovative solutions for future mobility. We believe the best ideas come from individual unique perspectives. These ideas combined with the teamwork of industry leaders allow us to accomplish any challenge. Our team members take pride in the work we do and embody our core values of safety, ownership, and teamwork every day; they are the true driving force in our operations.

Challenge is proud to be one of the largest employee-owned automotive companies in North America. One of the many benefits of joining the Challenge team is the ESOP program. This program allows Challenge to give shares of the Company to all employee-owners annually. These shares are an additional retirement benefit that will continue to grow during your time at Challenge. Being part of an ESOP means our employee-owners share in Challenge’s success!

Challenge is #QualityDriven and #PeoplePowered!

Who We Want:

The Senior Technical Trainer – Robotics & PLC Automation is responsible for delivering and scaling hands-on technical training programs that build plant capability in:

• Fanuc, ABB, and Kawasaki robotic systems

• PLC programming and industrial controls

• Automated manufacturing equipment troubleshooting

• Electrical, safety, and robotics cell operation

This role is a key driver of technical workforce development across all plants, ensuring operators, technicians, and maintenance teams have the skills to safely program, support, and improve automated production systems. This position serves as the organization’s lead technical trainer for robotics and controls, building standardized training pathways, supporting new automation launches, and reducing downtime through capability building.

This role is a key driver of technical workforce development across all plants, ensuring operators, technicians, and maintenance teams have the skills to safely program, support, and improve automated production systems. This position serves as the organization’s lead technical trainer for robotics and controls, building standardized training pathways, supporting new automation launches, and reducing downtime through capability building.

What You'll Do:

• Deliver instructor-led and hands-on training for industrial robotics platforms for Fanuc, ABB and Kawasaki systems

• Teach robot fundamentals such as teach pendant navigation, program creation and editing, tool and frame setup, motion instruction and cycle optimization, cell start-up and recovery procedures

• Train teams in robotic safety standards, interlocks, and safe work practices inside automated cells

• Develop and deliver training in PLC-controlled manufacturing environments, including PLC fundamentals and architecture, ladder logic interpretation, input/output troubleshooting, sensor and actuator diagnostics, and fault recovery and downtime response

• Partner with engineering and maintenance to align training with plant controls standards

• Build structured technical learning pathways for maintenance technicians, controls technicians, and manufacturing engineers

• Create certification-style training programs that validate hands-on competency, not just completion

• Develop practical learning tools such as programming exercises, troubleshooting simulations, equipment start-up checklists, job aids and quick-reference guides

• Support new equipment launches by training teams before production ramp-up

• Use training outcomes to drive measurable plant impact, including reduced automation downtime, faster troubleshooting response, improved safety in robotic environments, and Increased internal technical capability

• Evaluate skills using practical assessments, demonstrations, and performance-based validation

• Maintain training documentation and competency records through the LMS

• Partner with plant leadership to identify automation skill gaps and deploy targeted development plans

When and Where:
This will be a 1st Shift / 8AM-5PM M-F position located at our Plant in Walker, MI.
Occasionally, this may require you to arrive early, stay late, or work on weekends, outside of our regular hours, to ensure we successfully meet customer needs, deadlines, or urgent requests.

What You Need to Have:

• Minimum 8 years of manufacturing experience, with significant exposure to automation and controls environments

• Minimum 5 years of hands-on technical training experience in robotics, PLCs, or industrial automation

• Demonstrated ability to train and support Fanuc robotic programming and operation, ABB robotic systems and automation cells, and Kawasaki robotics programming and troubleshooting

• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting in a production environment

• Knowledge of ladder logic fundamentals, control system diagnostics, Industrial electrical systems, and automation fault response

• Ability to teach PLC concepts clearly to technicians and plant teams

• Proven ability to teach complex technical concepts to diverse plant audiences

• Strong facilitation, coaching, and instructional delivery skills

• Comfortable training directly on the floor, in labs, and in classroom environments

• Fanuc HandlingTool or iRProgrammer certification

• ABB RobotStudio training experience

• Kawasaki Robotics programming credentials

• Rockwell Automation / Allen-Bradley PLC coursework

• OSHA/RIA robotic safety training

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Instructional Design, or related field preferred

• Has high standards of performance for self. Takes responsibility for actions, results, and mistakes. Is thorough, accurate, and reliable when performing and completing job tasks; demonstrates honesty and integrity in all aspects of work.

• Takes positive action to objectively resolve conflict by listening, staying focused on issue to find resolution, and monitoring progress. Maintains positive relationships by constructively resolving conflicts.

• Uses feedback from others to continuously improve performance and work relationships.

• Has necessary experience, skills, and knowledge to perform all aspects of job; rotates through all job responsibilities. Maintains knowledge and skills to perform job effectively.

• Has ability to focus on benefits of change and see it as positive; approaches change or newness in constructive/objective manner; views change as learning opportunity.

• Looks for good in others; works collaboratively with others; shares information and knowledge.

• Is at work when scheduled and ensures coverage when absent; takes timely breaks/lunches; uses time wisely.

• Strong communication skills

• Strong time management skills

• Comfortable presenting in front of audiences and Executive Team

What We Offer:
We’re excited to offer a range of awesome benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a Health Savings Account with annual employer contributions, Flexible Spending Accounts, company-paid Short-Term Disability and Basic Life Insurance, Voluntary Life and Long-Term Disability options, an Employer 401k Match, ESOP shares, tuition reimbursement, a Referral Bonus Program, Challenge Incentive Program, and paid time off.

Please note, while these benefits are part of what we offer, they may not all apply to this specific role. The details shared in this job description are intended to give you a general idea, but duties and responsibilities may evolve over time, with or without notice. And of course, we’re happy to provide reasonable accommodations to help individuals with disabilities succeed in their role.