Controls Technician Trainee

Position Purpose

Hilltop Ranch Inc. is seeking a Controls Technician Trainee to support the installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and improvement of electrical controls and automation systems throughout our operations.

This is an entry-level position intended for a college student, recent graduate, or early-career individual interested in pursuing a career in controls engineering, electrical engineering, industrial automation, mechatronics, or a related technical field.

The Controls Technician Trainee will report directly to the Director of Technology and receive hands-on experience working with industrial sensors, electrical controls, instrumentation, automation equipment, and production systems.

Prior industrial controls experience is not required. We are looking for someone with basic electrical or electronics knowledge, strong technical curiosity, and a willingness to learn.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Install, replace, test, and troubleshoot industrial sensors and field devices.
• Perform basic electrical troubleshooting using a multimeter and other test equipment.
• Install and terminate low-voltage control wiring.
• Trace circuits and test switches, relays, sensors, and other electrical components for proper operation.
• Assist with troubleshooting automated production equipment.
• Assist with installation, modification, startup, and testing of electrical control panels and field equipment.
• Read and follow wiring diagrams, schematics, equipment manuals, and technical documentation.
• Help identify, label, and document control wiring, equipment, network devices, and field components.
• Assist with troubleshooting motor controls, variable frequency drives, instrumentation, and industrial communication systems.
• Support controls and automation improvement projects.
• Help maintain spare sensors, controls components, and technical equipment.
• Work with operations and maintenance personnel to identify and resolve equipment problems.
• Maintain a clean and organized work area and follow established electrical and workplace safety procedures.

EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS & SKILLS

• 1-2 years of proven experience as an IT Technician or relevant position
• Currently pursuing, recently completed, or interested in pursuing education in a technical field such as Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Industrial Technology, or Mechanical Engineering with an automation focus. Excellent diagnostic and problem-solving skills
• Basic understanding of electrical or electronic systems.
• Comfortable working with hand tools.
• Willingness to learn how to use electrical test equipment.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and technical documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and good organizational habits.
• Reliable, communicative, and able to work independently as skills develop.
• Interest in learning industrial controls and automation systems.
• Outstanding organizational and time-management skills
• Excellent communication ability
• Spanish language skills are desirable
• A valid California Driver’s license is required, with a clean record
• Willing to travel to company sites

Preferred, but Not Required

Experience through coursework, employment, internships, laboratory work, or personal projects involving any of the following is beneficial:

• Electrical wiring or electronics
• Sensors and instrumentation
• Arduino, Raspberry Pi, robotics, or similar projects
• Industrial automation or programming
• Motor controls or variable frequency drives
• Computer networking
• CAD or electrical drawings

Personal, academic, hobby, and lab experience are all considered relevant.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Bilingual (English / Spanish) is helpful
• Ability to work with groups-team oriented personality
• Organizational skills

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Will occasionally stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle and feel, reach with hands and arms, talk and hear, taste and smell.
• Will frequently sit and occasionally climb or balance and stoop, kneel crouch or crawl.
• Must use both hands for rapid mental muscular coordination, simultaneously.
• Must be able to reach high and low levels, frequently.
• Must be able to push/pull/lift with arms below waist/at shoulder/above shoulder level up to 60 pounds frequently.
• Must lift with arms up to floor to waist, waist to shoulder 60 pounds.
• Must be able to constantly stand/stoop/walk/bend, up to 12 hours/throughout the shift.
• Ability to strenuous flex/grip with wrist/hands frequently (15 flexion/minute).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• May work near moving mechanical parts.
• May work around wet or humid conditions, in high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, outdoor weather conditions, extreme cold (non-weather), extreme heat (non-weather), risk of electrical shock, and/or risk of vibration.

Pay: From $21.00 per hour

Expected hours: No less than 40.0 per week

Work Location: In person