Automation Engineering Technician

Gulfcomfg; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Generous Paid Vacation Time off

Life Insurance

Job summary

Gulfco Manufacturing seeks an Automation Engineering Technician to build, test, calibrate, and modify electronic and electro‑mechanical systems. You will assemble wiring, program automation equipment, and support prototype development and equipment commissioning.

The role requires strong PLC/HMI programming skills, Beckhoff/WAGO/Allen‑Bradley experience, and collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and field teams to ensure high‑quality performance.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in Electronics/Electrical/Controls tech roles.
• Minimum 3 years programming, testing, and troubleshooting control systems.
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems and wiring standards.
• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, BOMs.
• Proficient in board assembly, soldering, diagnostics.
• Excellent troubleshooting for electronic, electrical, and electro‑mechanical systems.

Responsibilities

• Assemble, wire, test electronic circuits, panels, and systems.
• Read schematics, wiring diagrams, BOMs, and drawings.
• Troubleshoot failures in PCB, wiring, motors, and drives.
• Work safely with AC/DC systems up to 480V.
• Program and troubleshoot PLCs, servo drives, and VFDs.
• Configure HMIs, alarms, recipes, trends, and access levels.
• Perform testing, calibration, validation, and commissioning.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

Industrial automation

Schematic reading

Electrical troubleshooting

Electrical wiring

Soldering

Networking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electronics Technology or related field

Tools

Beckhoff TwinCAT

WAGO

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

RSLogix

EtherCAT

Profinet

Job description

The Automation Engineering Technician will apply electronic theory, electrical principles, engineering mathematics, computer programming, and troubleshooting expertise to build, test, calibrate, repair, and modify electronic and electro‑mechanical systems. This position is responsible for assembling and wiring electrical control systems, programming and troubleshooting automation equipment, supporting prototype development, and assisting with the installation and commissioning of new equipment.

The ideal candidate will possess strong experience in industrial automation, electronic troubleshooting, PLC programming, and machine controls, with hands‑on knowledge of Beckhoff, WAGO, and Allen‑Bradley control platforms. This role requires close collaboration with engineering, manufacturing, and field service teams to ensure reliable, high-quality equipment performance.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assemble, wire, and test electronic circuit boards, control panels, and electrical systems using hand tools, diagnostic equipment, and surface mount technology.
• Interpret and work from electronic schematics, electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, and Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Troubleshoot electronic, electrical, and electro‑mechanical system failures by analyzing circuit boards, wiring systems, motors, drives, and machine components to efficiently identify and resolve issues.
• Work safely with AC and DC electrical systems, motors, drives, controllers, and power distribution equipment up to 480V.
• Program, configure, modify, and troubleshoot PLCs, stepper motors, servo drives, motion control systems, and Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs).
• Configure, modify, and troubleshoot Human‑Machine Interfaces (HMIs), including operator screens, alarms, recipes, trends, user access levels, and machine status displays.
• Perform functional testing, calibration, validation, and troubleshooting of electrical assemblies, control systems, and automation equipment.
• Identify assembly, wiring, programming, and operational issues while providing feedback and recommendations for design and process improvements.
• Support prototype development, machine builds, and transition of products into production‑ready systems.
• Solder electronic components and assemblies in accordance with quality standards and manufacturing requirements.
• Install, configure, and support machine software, equipment programming, network connectivity, field hardware, and peripheral devices.
• Work onsite with the Lead Engineer to support installation, commissioning, startup, testing, troubleshooting, and optimization of new machine builds and automated systems.
• Assist with system integration, field modifications, customer acceptance testing, and the resolution of technical issues during equipment deployment.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on equipment reliability, quality, productivity, and safety.
• Maintain accurate records of troubleshooting activities, modifications, testing results, and commissioning documentation.
• Adhere to all company safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in an Electronics Technician, Electrical Technician, Controls Technician, or similar role.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience programming, testing, and troubleshooting control systems and automation equipment.
• Strong understanding of electrical systems, industrial controls, and wiring standards.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, wiring diagrams, and BOMs.
• Proficiency in electrical board assembly, soldering, repair, and diagnostics.
• Strong troubleshooting skills for electronic, electrical, and electro‑mechanical systems.

• Experience programming, configuring, and troubleshooting PLCs, HMIs, stepper motors, servo drives, motion control systems, and VFDs.
• Hands‑on experience developing and supporting HMI applications for industrial automation systems, including screen navigation, alarm management, operator controls, data display, and basic troubleshooting.

• Experience using automation software including:
• Beckhoff TwinCAT
• WAGO CODESYS
• Allen‑Bradley Studio 5000 and RSLogix
• Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols including:
• EtherCAT
• Ethernet/IP
• Modbus TCP
• Profinet
• TwinCAT
• Basic understanding of AC and DC circuits, motors, drives, and controllers operating up to 480V.
• Competent knowledge of CE and UL requirements and industrial safety standards.
• Familiarity with hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Experience supporting prototype builds, machine commissioning, and equipment startup activities.
• Strong computer and networking skills with the ability to diagnose communication and software‑related issues.
• Ability to travel as needed to support machine installations, commissioning, and customer startup activities.
• Excellent problem‑solving, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or technical certification in Electronics Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Industrial Automation, Mechatronics, or a related field.

• Experience with HMI development, industrial networking, and operator interface design.

• Experience commissioning automated manufacturing equipment.
• Knowledge of machine safety systems and risk assessment practices.
• Familiarity with vision systems, sensors, and industrial robotics.
• Experience in a manufacturing or OEM machine‑building environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, climb, and work in industrial environments for extended periods.
• Ability to distinguish wire colors and perform detailed electrical work.
• Ability to work around energized electrical equipment while following established safety procedures.
• Ability to travel to customers and company sites as required.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Generous Paid Vacation Time off Program
• Life Insurance, Accidental Death, and Disability Insurance

Gulfco Manufacturing is dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment. We do not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of age, ancestry, race, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation/gender identity), color, religion, national origin, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, family medical history or genetic information, military or veteran status, disability, medical condition, or any other non‑merit based factor or status protected by federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.