Controls Technician

Redwood Materials Inc.; Reno (NV); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

Redwood Materials is seeking a seasoned Controls Technician to implement and maintain controls hardware, instrumentation, and electrical equipment across production and facility systems. You will troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors and perform system upgrades while collaborating with engineering and maintenance teams to improve process performance.

Split between office and production facility, this full-time role emphasizes accurate documentation, safety compliance, and proactive

Qualifications

• Minimum 4+ years in industrial automation or instrumentation.
• Experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and sensors.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and P&IDs.
• Experience fabricating and wiring control panels.
• Strong safety and continuous improvement mindset.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, mechanical, and automated manufacturing equipment to minimize downtime and maintain production efficiency.
• Fabricate, modify, and upgrade electrical control panels in accordance with engineering specifications and safety standards.
• Perform field wiring of instrumentation and motor controls, ensuring proper installation and system functionality.
• Conduct and document maintenance calibrations, installations, fault diagnosis, and repairs of electronic, electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic systems.
• Interpret and utilize P&ID diagrams, electrical schematics, and technical documentation to perform advanced troubleshooting and system analysis.
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to support equipment commissioning, process improvements, and system upgrades.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed, including updates to control logic, wiring diagrams, and calibration data, while adhering to safety and compliance protocols.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC troubleshooting

HMI troubleshooting

Schematic reading

Control panels

Instrumentation wiring

Safety compliance

Analytical thinking

Continuous improvement

Job description

Redwood Materials was founded in 2017 by JB Straubel, co-founder and former CTO of Tesla, on a simple but radical idea: the critical minerals powering the energy transition already exist. They just need to come back. Today Redwood is the largest lithium-ion battery recycler in North America — recovering, refining, and redeploying critical minerals from end-of-life batteries back into the supply chain. On the energy side, Redwood has deployed the largest second-life battery project in the world, delivering power to AI data centers in months rather than years using proprietary energy architecture engineered entirely in-house. The company is profitable, the market it operates in is projected to grow 20 to 50 times over the next decade, and Redwood is the only company with the supply chain, the technology, and the operational scale to lead it.

The Controls Technician is responsible for implementing and maintaining controls hardware, instrumentation, and electrical equipment across production and facility systems. Key duties include troubleshooting and repairing PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, sensors, and other automation components to ensure reliable and efficient operation. The role involves supporting equipment commissioning, executing system upgrades, and collaborating with engineering and maintenance teams to enhance process performance. Accurate documentation of changes and adherence to safety and compliance standards are essential. A strong focus on proactive problem-solving and continuous improvement is expected.

Responsibilities Will Include:

• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, mechanical, and automated manufacturing equipment to minimizedowntime and maintain production efficiency
• Fabricate, modify, and upgrade electrical control panels in accordance with engineering specifications andsafety standards
• Perform field wiring of instrumentation and motor controls, ensuring proper installation and systemfunctionality
• Conduct and document maintenance calibrations, installations, fault diagnosis, and repairs of electronic,electrical, mechanical, and pneumatic systems
• Interpret and utilize P&ID diagrams, electrical schematics, and technical documentation to performadvanced troubleshooting and system analysis
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams to support equipment commissioning, processimprovements, and system upgrades
• Maintain accurate records of work performed, including updates to control logic, wiring diagrams, and calibration data, while adhering to safety and compliance protocols.

Desired Qualifications:

• Minimum of 4+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls, or instrumentation within a manufacturing or process environment
• Proficient in troubleshooting and repairing PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and industrial sensors
• Skilled in reading and interpreting electrical schematics, P&IDs, and technical documentation
• Hands-on experience fabricating and wiring control panels to meet design and safety standards
• Strong understanding of motor controls, instrumentation wiring, and calibration procedures
• Familiarity with pneumatic and mechanical systems and their integration with control systems
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, cross-functional team environment
• Demonstrated commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving issues

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work with Tyvek suits, Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR), and other personal protective equipment (PPE) for extended periods of time (up to a full shift)
• Position requires standing, lifting, and carrying equipment up to 50 lbs
• Work is performed in industrial conditions that may include exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and temperature extremes for extended periods

Working Conditions:

• Split work environment between office and production facility
• Work may involve extended periods in the production facility
• Ability to work in challenging conditions including exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, and temperatureextremes, while protected by PPE, for extended durations
• May require occasional weekend work or alternate shifts to support production need

The position is full-time. Compensation will be commensurate with experience.

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