About Valstad
Valstad is rebuilding how ships are made.
American shipbuilding is constrained by slow, labor-intensive production methods and a shortage of skilled manufacturing capacity. We are developing robotic production systems that can turn engineering data directly into finished steel structures, dramatically reducing the time and manual programming required to build ships.
Our first platform combines industrial robots, automated material handling, welding, sensing and AI-driven manufacturing software to produce large ship panels and structural assemblies. Instead of programming each new part by hand, our goal is for the system to understand the CAD model, determine how the structure should be assembled and welded, and generate the robotic plan required to build it.
This requires solving hard, practical problems across robotics, welding, sensing, controls and manufacturing. The equipment you help build, integrate and operate will produce real steel structures in our Austin facility and, over time, in shipyards across the country.
Our broader mission is to create the manufacturing technology required to restore and radically expand American shipbuilding capacity.
The Role
Valstad is seeking a Robotics & Automation Technician to help build, integrate, commission, operate and maintain the robotic manufacturing systems in our Austin facility.
You will work directly with industrial robots, PLCs, electrical control systems, linear rails, welding equipment, industrial networks, sensors, safety devices, custom end effectors, fixtures and large steel structures.
You will help assemble and wire new automation systems, configure PLC hardware and I/O, integrate sensors and auxiliary equipment, support robot and PLC programming, troubleshoot faults, complete preventive maintenance and operate robotic cells during testing and production.
This is not a role where you will simply press start and watch an automated cell run. Valstad’s production systems are still evolving. You will be expected to understand how the equipment works, help connect new devices and subsystems, identify abnormal behavior, make safe first-line repairs and provide engineers with clear diagnostic information when a problem requires deeper investigation.
The ideal candidate combines the hands-on capabilities of an industrial maintenance technician with the technical curiosity of an automation integrator. You should be mechanically capable, electrically knowledgeable and comfortable working across robots, PLCs, sensors, networks and production equipment.
What You Will Do
Automation Integration and Commissioning
Assist with the assembly, installation and commissioning of new robotic cells and automation equipment.
Install and configure industrial robots, PLCs, remote I/O, sensors, actuators, motor controls and auxiliary equipment.
Help lay out and connect control panels, junction boxes, field devices and machine wiring.
Terminate and label power, control, network and sensor wiring.
Verify wiring against electrical schematics, I/O lists and panel drawings.
Perform point-to-point checks and validate digital and analog I/O.
Configure basic PLC hardware, communication modules and remote I/O systems.
Assist with PLC program setup, download, backup and controlled modification.
Develop or modify basic ladder-logic routines under established engineering standards.
Configure timers, counters, permissives, alarms, interlocks and equipment sequences.
Integrate devices using Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP or other industrial communication protocols.
Configure basic HMI screens, status indicators, alarms and operator controls.
Support integration of safety PLCs, emergency-stop circuits, light curtains, gate switches and other machine-safety devices.
Participate in factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing and production-readiness reviews.
Create redlines and communicate field changes so electrical and controls documentation remains accurate.
PLC and Controls Support
Connect to and diagnose PLC-controlled equipment.
Monitor logic, tags, I/O states, timers and sequence conditions during troubleshooting.
Identify failed permissives, interlocks, communication links and field devices.
Make limited, approved PLC and HMI changes during commissioning and production support.
Maintain current backups of PLC, HMI, robot and other equipment programs.
Assist engineers with implementing equipment sequences and fault-recovery logic.
Troubleshoot communication among PLCs, robots, welding equipment, sensors and higher-level software.
Verify that controller logic reflects actual machine and safety-system behavior.
Help develop clear alarm messages and recovery procedures for operators.
Document changes through Valstad’s configuration-control and review processes.
Avoid uncontrolled online edits or temporary logic changes that create safety or production risk.
Robotic Cell Integration
Set up and configure industrial robots and supporting equipment.
Jog robots safely using a teach pendant.
Create or modify basic robot programs within established procedures.
Touch up positions and validate approach, process and retreat motions.
Configure and verify tool-center points, user frames and workpiece frames.
Map robot I/O to PLC-controlled sequences and peripheral equipment.
Integrate grippers, welding torches, scanners, sensors and other end-of-arm tooling.
Support robot mastering, calibration and alignment activities.
Test robot handshakes, sequence logic and controller-state transitions.
Assist engineers with validating newly generated robot paths.
Support integration of robots mounted on linear rails, gantries or positioners.
Diagnose whether a failure originates in the robot, PLC, controller interface, tooling, sensor, software or workpiece.
Robotic Cell Operation
Set up and operate robotic systems used for material handling, fit-up, welding, scanning and inspection.
Prepare robots, tools, fixtures, sensors and work areas for production.
Load and verify the correct robot programs, PLC recipes, job files and production instructions.
Confirm that parts, fixtures, tools and workpieces are correctly positioned before execution.
Perform startup, homing, recovery and shutdown procedures.
Monitor robotic operations and respond appropriately to warnings, faults and unexpected conditions.
Pause or stop production when equipment behavior, part condition or safety conditions are abnormal.
Recover interrupted jobs using controlled procedures.
Record production output, cycle times, faults, interventions and rework.
Support safe operation during engineering tests, commissioning and customer production.
Electrical and Controls Troubleshooting
Diagnose electrical, controls, networking, pneumatic, mechanical and sensor-related problems.
Use electrical schematics, I/O lists and equipment documentation to isolate faults.
Use multimeters and other test equipment to verify voltage, continuity, signals and device operation.
Troubleshoot relays, contactors, motor starters, power supplies, circuit protection and control wiring.
Troubleshoot proximity sensors, photoelectric sensors, encoders, limit switches and analog devices.
Diagnose industrial-network and communication failures.
Verify IP addressing, device configuration and network connectivity.
Troubleshoot VFDs, servo drives, motors and motion-control equipment.
Replace and configure failed sensors, communication modules, I/O devices and control components.
Safely return equipment to service after approved repairs or adjustments.
Escalate complex issues to automation, robotics, electrical or mechanical engineers with useful diagnostic information.
Mechanical and Pneumatic Troubleshooting
Diagnose mechanical, pneumatic and tooling-related problems.
Replace or adjust cylinders, valves, regulators, fittings and pneumatic components.
Inspect rails, bearings, gearboxes, couplings, fasteners and mechanical assemblies.
Identify backlash, looseness, interference, wear and alignment problems.
Install and adjust fixtures, clamps, sensors and custom end effectors.
Support mechanical assembly and modification of robotic cells.
Assist with equipment alignment, leveling and verification.
Make approved mechanical adjustments and minor modifications.
Work with engineers to improve equipment access, maintainability and changeover time.
Preventive Maintenance
Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on robots, PLC-controlled equipment, rails, welding systems, sensors, fixtures and related equipment.
Inspect electrical enclosures, cables, connectors and robotic dress packages.
Inspect equipment for wear, damage, looseness, contamination and abnormal operation.
Maintain lubrication, inspection and service records.
Help manage critical spare parts, automation components and consumable inventory.
Maintain current equipment and controller-program backups.
Verify that replacement components and tools are correctly installed and configured.
Support calibration and verification of robot tools, sensors, fixtures and workpiece locations.
Identify maintenance tasks that should be added or adjusted based on actual equipment performance.
Help develop clear maintenance, troubleshooting and recovery procedures.
Welding and Process Equipment
Set up and maintain robotic welding torches, wire feeders, consumables and related equipment.
Integrate welding power sources and process equipment with robots and PLCs.
Verify welding-system I/O, ready signals, fault states and process commands.
Replace contact tips, nozzles, liners and other welding consumables.
Inspect torch condition and verify proper wire feeding and shielding-gas delivery.
Assist with torch cleaning, TCP checks and welding-cell preparation.
Recognize obvious weld-process abnormalities and escalate them to the Welding Engineer.
Support execution of welding trials and procedure-development tests.
Help ensure that approved welding parameters, materials and consumables are used.
Maintain clean, organized and production-ready robotic welding equipment.
Sensors, Vision and Measurement Systems
Install, configure and troubleshoot industrial sensors and measurement equipment.
Support integration of laser scanners, cameras, touch sensors, force sensors and dimensional-inspection systems.
Verify sensor power, communication, mounting, alignment and calibration.
Configure basic sensor parameters and communication settings.
Assist with data collection and controlled testing of new sensing systems.
Identify environmental conditions that may affect sensor performance.
Work with software and robotics engineers to diagnose differences between sensor measurements and physical conditions.
Maintain sensor calibration, configuration and maintenance records.
Documentation and Configuration Control
Update I/O lists, network maps, equipment settings and commissioning checklists.
Create and maintain backups of PLC, HMI, robot, drive and sensor configurations.
Document equipment addresses, firmware versions and communication settings.
Record wiring changes and provide redlines for updated electrical drawings.
Document symptoms, fault codes, corrective actions and unresolved problems.
Help create work instructions, troubleshooting guides and recovery procedures.
Ensure the correct software, robot program and PLC revision is used for each production configuration.
Participate in change reviews before modified equipment is released to production.
Maintain organized records for equipment configuration, maintenance and calibration.
Production and Quality Support
Follow production instructions, inspection requirements and configuration-control procedures.
Verify that the correct materials, parts, programs, recipes and revisions are being used.
Perform basic dimensional and visual checks as trained.
Identify and document nonconforming parts or process conditions.
Support inspection, rework and corrective-action activities.
Train additional technicians and operators as the manufacturing team grows.
Participate in daily production meetings and communicate equipment risks early.
Maintain a clean, organized and safe production area.
Initial Priorities
First 30 Days
Complete required safety and equipment training.
Learn Valstad’s current robotic-cell, PLC and controls architecture.
Demonstrate safe operation of the robots, welding equipment and supporting systems.
Review electrical schematics, network architecture, I/O lists and current controller programs.
Learn startup, shutdown, recovery and escalation procedures.
Begin supporting production, commissioning and engineering tests under supervision.
First 90 Days
Independently prepare and operate the robotic cell for routine production work.
Connect to PLCs and robots to diagnose common sequence, I/O and communication faults.
Perform point-to-point checks and support installation of new field devices.
Make limited, approved PLC, HMI and robot-program changes.
Complete scheduled preventive-maintenance activities.
Improve documentation for recurring faults and recovery procedures.
Support integration and testing of fixtures, tooling, sensors and auxiliary equipment.
Develop a clear understanding of when to resolve a problem directly and when to escalate it.
First Six Months
Become a trusted owner of day-to-day robotic-cell readiness.
Independently support the integration and commissioning of new automation equipment.
Reduce production downtime caused by routine robot, PLC, electrical and setup issues.
Support reliable operation across multiple part configurations and production jobs.
Help establish disciplined program-backup, configuration-control, maintenance and spare-parts systems.
Train other operators on safe cell operation and common recovery procedures.
Contribute practical improvements to controls, tooling, work instructions, equipment access and operator workflows.
Enable engineers to focus on new development rather than routine production and integration support.
Required Experience
Three or more years of experience as a robotics, automation, controls, mechatronics, integration, maintenance or manufacturing technician.
Hands-on experience with industrial automation or production equipment.
Experience connecting to and troubleshooting PLC-controlled machinery.
Ability to diagnose electrical, controls, mechanical and pneumatic systems.
Ability to read electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, I/O lists and equipment documentation.
Experience using hand tools, electrical test equipment and precision measuring tools.
Familiarity with industrial sensors, actuators, relays, motors and control systems.
Experience performing preventive maintenance and documenting completed work.
Ability to follow lockout/tagout and other industrial safety procedures.
Ability to communicate technical problems clearly to engineers and production personnel.
Comfort working in a fast-moving environment where equipment and processes are still evolving.
Willingness to work primarily on the production floor.
Ability to work occasional overtime or adjusted schedules during commissioning or critical production periods.
Strongly Preferred
Experience with Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs.
Experience configuring PLC hardware and remote I/O.
Ability to read and make limited modifications to ladder logic.
Experience with Studio 5000, TIA Portal, Codesys or comparable controls software.
Experience configuring or modifying HMI applications.
Experience operating, programming or maintaining Fanuc industrial robots.
Experience with ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa, Universal Robots or similar robotic systems.
Experience with robot-to-PLC integration and sequence handshakes.
Experience with Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP, DeviceNet or similar industrial communication systems.
Experience with industrial safety circuits, safety relays or safety PLCs.
Experience with servo systems, variable-frequency drives and motor controls.
Experience with robotic or manual welding equipment.
Familiarity with GMAW systems, wire feeders, torches and welding consumables.
Experience maintaining robot-mounted tools, sensors and dress packages.
Experience with machine commissioning, equipment installation or systems integration.
Experience working around cranes, forklifts and large fabricated structures.
Experience in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.
Additional Differentiators
Associate degree or technical certification in automation, robotics, controls, mechatronics, industrial maintenance, electrical technology or a related discipline.
Fanuc, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, ABB, KUKA, Yaskawa or other manufacturer-specific training.
Experience designing or modifying basic control panels.
Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN or similar electrical-design software.
Experience with machine vision, laser scanners or industrial measurement systems.
Experience with OPC UA, MQTT, REST APIs or connections between industrial equipment and software systems.
Experience with Linux-based systems, command-line tools or basic scripting.
Experience with Python, structured text or another programming language.
Welding or fabrication experience.
OSHA, NFPA 70E, forklift, crane or rigging training.
Experience developing commissioning procedures and training other technicians.
Experience at a robotics integrator or machine builder.
Experience at an early-stage robotics, aerospace, defense or industrial technology company.
Shipbuilding experience is not required. We care more about strong troubleshooting instincts, practical controls experience, mechanical and electrical aptitude, safe work habits and evidence that you can help turn individual automation components into a reliable production system.
Physical and Work Requirements
Ability to work safely in an active industrial manufacturing environment.
Ability to stand and move around the production floor for extended periods.
Ability to climb ladders or access equipment where appropriate.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
Ability to work around welding, industrial robots, heavy steel, cranes and powered equipment.
Ability to work occasional overtime during integration, commissioning, maintenance or customer-delivery periods.
What Success Looks Like
Success means Valstad’s robotic systems are ready when production needs them and new automation systems move efficiently from assembly through commissioning into reliable operation.
Robots, PLCs, sensors and process equipment communicate correctly. I/O and interlocks have been validated. Programs and configurations are backed up and controlled. Faults are diagnosed methodically rather than through trial and error.
Jobs begin with the correct tools, programs, fixtures and materials. Routine faults are resolved safely. Equipment problems are documented clearly enough that recurring failures can be permanently corrected. Preventive maintenance happens before avoidable downtime occurs.
Engineers trust you to integrate new devices, support commissioning, identify abnormal behavior and make sound decisions about what can be resolved directly and what requires deeper engineering work.
As Valstad grows, the robotic cells become less dependent on engineers for routine installation, configuration, operation, maintenance and recovery. You help create the controls discipline, technical documentation and hands-on operating knowledge required to deploy increasingly capable manufacturing systems at scale.
Compensation and Benefits
The anticipated pay range for this position is
$34 to $46 per hour
, depending on experience, controls capability and anticipated scope.
This is an hourly, overtime-eligible position. The role also includes:
Meaningful early-stage equity ownership
Medical, dental and vision benefits
Paid time off
Relocation assistance where appropriate
Technical training and opportunities for advancement
The opportunity to build, integrate and operate advanced robotic manufacturing systems producing real ship structures
Valstad is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate candidates based on their ability, experience and potential to contribute to the company’s mission.