Lead Hardware Technician
Upward Farms, United States
Job Description
Upward Farms designs and operates complete ecosystems of plants and fish in vertical farms, supplying these organic products to local grocers. We are currently expanding, opening a new cutting-edge, fully automated facility in Brooklyn. More and larger farms are in the works. Our mission is to heal the broken food system and reconnect eaters with flavorful and nutritious local food.
We’re looking for a Lead Hardware Technician to own the installation, maintenance, and management of shop floor sensing and industrial interface hardware. You will ensure quality and process standards are met through the management of contract installations in new construction. In parallel with coordinating larger production line retrofits and matinencase as needs arise. In this role you will lay the foundation and shape the team as we expand to multiple sites with additional technicians.
Success
Your objective is twofold. First, you will be responsible for ensuring the successful use of electronic systems throughout our shop floor operations, spanning sensor systems, data collection, and controls. Success here entails smooth installations, limited downtime, and continual improvement over the lifetime of these systems Second, a successful employee will oversee creating the processes and instituting the best practices needed to create the first outcome as we expand into a multi-site operation. Success in this objective includes developing the needed structures and directing multiple technicians and contractors hired to service existing and new facilities as we grow. The ultimate responsibilities and contributions of this person will be shaped around the individual we hire and their background. There is tremendous room for growth at our company.
Responsibilities
- Develop the structures and standards for contract technicians and future technician hires and direct the same as we grow.
- Handle shop floor hardware installation, wiring / cabling / labelling, repairs, troubleshooting, cataloguing, and warranty service for all electronic assets including sensing systems, production line interfaces, control systems, shop floor computing workstations, and Audio / Visual systems.
- Oversee contract installations particularly in new construction to ensure our standards are met and drawings and labelling are documented in sync with all such efforts.
- Support future Ramp;D and production line retrofits as future projects arise. This role will coordinate with larger production line maintenance work as needed in addition to owning sensor maintenance schedules and procedures (with others carrying out those tasks).
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (electronic engineering, manufacturing, facilities technology), technical military training, or equivalent work experience.
- History of developing and managing hardware-centric installation projects including schedules and delegation
- Ability to develop processes for troubleshooting and response plans for multi-site operations
- Track record of directing / leading other technicians, both contract and direct reports
- Experience directing and coordinating vendors and contractors to build out industrial sensing and control systems
- Knowledge of industrial automation systems
- Knowledge of facilities and production floor planning, safety, and ergonomics
- Hands-on experience with electronics, wiring amp; cabling, and equipment troubleshooting, installation, and repair
- Familiarity with designing, ordering, and building industrial wiring panels
Preferred Skills + Experience
- Work in agricultural or food production settings
- Exposure to or involvement with manufacturing site construction projects
Benefits
We offer a dynamic work environment and benefits that include:
- Aetna Medical, Aetna and MetLife Dental, and Aetna Vision insurance; FSA/HSA plans; and HIPAA-compliant health advocates. Upward Farms contributes 78-100% of the premium for Medical benefits for employees and their families.
- Unlimited paid sick time. For extended illness, we offer short term disability.
- Up to 20 days paid time off per year, depending on experience, in addition to paid holidays.
- For new parents, an extension of New York State’s paid family leave for up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave. This leave is in addition to Disability leave available to pregnant and postpartum mothers.
- 401(k)
- Commuter benefits, discounted gym memberships, and other perks.
- Fresh salad, and lots of it!
Working Here
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our needs are unique and varied so we value colleagues with diverse backgrounds. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment wit