Location: Alliance, OH
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 encode data structure
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.
E-mail your resume and references to shauna@mpilabels.com
