Automation & Maintenance Technician

KULR TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION • Webster, TX

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Automation & Maintenance Technician is a critical dual-role position on KULR's manufacturing team, responsible for two equally important functions: (1) the programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintenance of PLC and automation systems across battery pack production and test operations, and (2) the setup, commissioning, and ongoing preventive maintenance of all production equipment at the Webster facility. This role requires a hands-on technical expert who can bridge automation controls, mechanical systems, and equipment reliability — ensuring maximum uptime, precision, and throughput across all of KULR's production lines.

This is a foundational role in a fast-scaling, greenfield manufacturing environment. The ideal candidate takes full ownership of every system they touch — from writing ladder logic to building the PM schedule from the ground up. They move fast, document thoroughly, and treat every piece of equipment as their personal responsibility. They understand that in a manufacturing environment, uptime is revenue.

Requirements

• Associate degree or technical certificate in Electrical Technology, Industrial Automation, Mechatronics, or related field — or equivalent hands-on experience
• Minimum 3–5 years of hands-on experience in industrial automation, equipment maintenance, or a combined controls and maintenance role in a manufacturing environment
• Proficiency in at least one major PLC platform: Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000 / RSLogix), Siemens (TIA Portal / Step 7), or Mitsubishi (GX Works)
• Demonstrated experience building or managing a preventive maintenance program in a manufacturing environment — not just executing PMs written by others
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems — pneumatics, hydraulics, drives, bearings, belts, conveyors, and general industrial machinery
• Experience with HMI development (FactoryTalk View, Ignition, Wonderware, or similar)
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, OEM manuals, and mechanical drawings
• Solid working knowledge of industrial electrical systems: 120V, 240V, 480V AC; 24VDC control circuits
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols: EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, DeviceNet
• Experience with CMMS or ERP-based maintenance tracking — NetSuite or equivalent
• LOTO certified with a demonstrated commitment to electrical and mechanical safety best practices
• Must have a current, valid driver’s license.
• Must be able to provide own transportation between work locations.
• Must be able to work various hours and locations based on business needs.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen due to federal contract requirements.
• Successful applicant must meet ITAR requirements.
• Must be able to work beyond 40h and weekends as needed.
• Must able to work during KULR core hours of 8:30am to 4:00pm (remaining daily time is flexible)

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field
• Experience in a new facility standup or greenfield manufacturing environment — setting up equipment, building PM programs, and establishing operational standards from scratch
• Experience in battery manufacturing, electronics assembly, or regulated manufacturing (ISO 9001, IATF 16949, or AS9100)
• Familiarity with TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) methodology and OEE improvement frameworks
• Experience with predictive maintenance techniques — vibration analysis, thermal imaging (IR), or oil analysis
• Familiarity with SCADA systems and MES integration and real-time data acquisition for equipment monitoring
• Experience with robot integration (FANUC, KUKA, Universal Robots, or similar)
• Knowledge of machine safety standards: ISO 13849, IEC 62061, NFPA 79
• Rockwell Automation Certified Specialist (Studio 5000) or equivalent certification
• Experience with vision systems (Cognex, Keyence, or similar) and barcode/RFID integration
• Six Sigma Green Belt or Lean Manufacturing certification

Responsibilities

• Program, configure, and maintain PLCs across multiple platforms (Allen-Bradley / Rockwell, Siemens, Mitsubishi, or equivalent) for battery pack assembly, testing, and automated inspection systems
• Develop and modify ladder logic, function block diagrams, structured text, and HMI screens to support production requirements and continuous process improvements
• Design and implement automated control sequences for assembly line equipment, test stations, and material handling systems
• Integrate PLC systems with SCADA, MES, and data acquisition platforms to support real-time monitoring and KPI tracking
• Maintain version control and full documentation of all PLC programs, including change logs, revision history, and network diagrams
• Receive, install, and commission all new production equipment at the Webster facility — coordinate with vendors and OEMs through FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) and SAT (Site Acceptance Testing)
• Develop and maintain equipment setup documentation and SOPs for all production machines — ensuring operators have clear, accurate startup and shutdown procedures
• Configure and calibrate equipment to production specifications prior to handoff to the production team — validate output quality before releasing to production
• Maintain a comprehensive equipment inventory list with specifications, serial numbers, OEM service contacts, and warranty information for all production machinery
• Collaborate with engineering on design-for-maintainability reviews for new equipment — flag serviceability concerns before equipment is purchased or committed
• Own and manage the full PM program for all production equipment — build the program from scratch, implement it, and continuously improve it based on equipment history and failure data
• Develop PM schedules and checklists for each piece of equipment based on OEM recommendations, production run rates, and operational experience
• Execute all scheduled PMs and document completion in NetSuite — no deferred maintenance without documented escalation and approval
• Track and report equipment downtime, MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures), and MTTR (Mean Time to Repair) — present monthly summary to operations leadership
• Manage the spare parts inventory for critical equipment components — establish min/max levels in NetSuite and ensure key spares are always on hand
• Coordinate with vendors and OEMs for specialized or annual PM services that require third-party involvement — manage scheduling and documentation of those visits
• Ensure all equipment is calibrated and within tolerance per applicable quality standards — maintain calibration records and certificates for audit readiness
• Diagnose and resolve faults across all production equipment — electrical, PLC/software, mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic — minimizing downtime and protecting throughput
• Perform minor mechanical repairs including bearings, belts, chain drives, pneumatic actuators, and associated mechanical systems
• Respond to production line breakdowns with urgency — implement root cause corrective actions and document all findings, causes, and resolutions in NetSuite
• Conduct regular system audits to identify aging components, obsolescence risks, and upgrade opportunities before they cause production failures
• Collaborate with manufacturing engineers and production leadership to identify automation opportunities that reduce cycle time, improve yield, and eliminate manual bottlenecks
• Support introduction of new production lines — from specification review through commissioning and operator handoff
• Participate in PFMEA, risk assessments, and equipment design reviews for new automation and production equipment
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives including OEE improvement, cycle time reduction, and error-proofing (poka-yoke)
• Champion electrical, mechanical, and machine safety — ensure all equipment meets OSHA, NFPA, and applicable IEC/ANSI safety standards
• Perform LOTO (Lockout/Tagout) procedures and enforce safe work practices during all maintenance and installation activities — no exceptions
• Ensure all equipment has current calibration records, PM logs, and machine guarding compliant with OSHA and NFPA 79 — maintain audit-ready documentation at all times
• Participate in safety committee reviews, hazard assessments, and incident investigations related to automation and production equipment
• Maintain compliance with all environmental, health, and safety requirements applicable to lithium-ion battery manufacturing operations
• Maintain complete, up-to-date documentation for all PLC systems and production equipment — program backups, I/O lists, PM records, calibration certificates, spare parts lists, and equipment manuals
• Generate maintenance reports, downtime logs, PM completion records, and corrective action documentation in NetSuite
• Train production and maintenance staff on basic equipment operation, HMI navigation, PM participation, and first-response troubleshooting procedures
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Some travel required for customer meetings, conferences, and design reviews.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree