Automation Systems & Operations Technician

Job Description

Job Description

Automation Systems & Operations Technician

Company: Branif Systems, Inc.

Location: Laguna Hills, California

Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Travel: Approximately 10–15%, including remote and multi-day assignments

About Branif Systems

Branif Systems is a software and automation systems company specializing in intelligent automation, industrial control systems, SCADA, and wireless telemetry solutions in water, waste water and irrigation applications. We develop advanced software and hardware technologies that enable customers to monitor, control, and optimize critical infrastructure across agriculture, water, wastewater, and municipal applications.

Our flagship software platform, FutureOpsTM, combines cloud-based SCADA technology with advanced industrial automation hardware to deliver intelligent, reliable, and scalable control solutions.

At Branif, we value innovation, technical excellence, accountability, and collaboration. Our team works across software development, engineering, field services, and operations to deliver dependable technologies and exceptional customer experiences.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly organized, hands-on Automation Systems & Operations Technician to support both the technical and day-to-day operational activities of Branif in our Laguna Hills office.

This is a versatile position that combines industrial automation system assembly, configuration, testing, customer technical support, field commissioning, inventory management, purchasing, and order fulfillment.

The ideal candidate has a strong technical foundation in electronics and industrial control systems, enjoys solving problems, and is equally comfortable working at a technical workbench, supporting customers, coordinating equipment orders, or traveling to a customer site.

You'll work closely with our engineering, software development, sales, and operations teams to ensure systems are built correctly, customer needs are addressed promptly, and day-to-day operations run efficiently.

We're looking for someone who is technically capable, detail-oriented, resourceful, and comfortable taking ownership of multiple responsibilities in a dynamic software and automation systems environment.

Key ResponsibilitiesAutomation System Assembly & Testing

• Assemble, wire, configure, and test PLC- and RTU-based industrial automation systems, control panels, and related equipment.
• Perform electrical wiring, soldering, component installation, and hardware integration.
• Configure controllers, I/O modules, wireless radios, communication devices, and field instrumentation.
• Conduct functional testing and quality control to ensure equipment is ready for customer deployment.
• Troubleshoot hardware, electrical, communication, and basic programming issues.
• Maintain organized workstations, tools, equipment, and technical documentation.
• Document system configurations, test results, and completed builds.

Technical Support & Customer Service

• Serve as a point of contact for incoming technical support requests.
• Provide technical assistance to customers by phone, remote connection, or on-site visits.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot issues involving PLCs, RTUs, wireless radios, field devices, and communication networks.
• Assist customers with equipment setup, configuration, and basic system operations.
• Coordinate with engineering and software development teams to resolve complex technical issues.
• Track support requests, communicate progress, and ensure issues are properly resolved.
• Maintain a professional, responsive, and customer-focused approach to every interaction.

Operations, Inventory & Order Fulfillment

• Coordinate day-to-day operational activities involving equipment, inventory, purchasing, and customer orders.
• Maintain accurate inventory records for electronic components, controllers, radios, and related equipment.
• Monitor stock levels and proactively identify purchasing requirements.
• Place purchase orders with vendors and suppliers to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Receive incoming shipments, inspect materials, and verify orders against purchase documentation.
• Prepare, package, and ship customer equipment accurately and on schedule.
• Coordinate with sales and engineering teams to ensure equipment availability for upcoming projects.
• Maintain organized storage areas and improve inventory and fulfillment processes.
• Assist with tracking equipment orders, deliveries, and project-related material requirements.

Field Installation & Commissioning

• Travel to customer sites to install, configure, troubleshoot, and commission industrial automation and telemetry systems.
• Perform field testing, equipment verification, and system troubleshooting.
• Configure and validate communication between field equipment and central monitoring systems.
• Coordinate with customers, contractors, and internal teams during installation and commissioning.
• Document field activities, equipment configurations, and outstanding issues.
• Travel may involve very remote agricultural, municipal, and industrial locations throughout California and across state lines.
• Field assignments may require multiple consecutive days away from home, including overnight stays and extended travel.

Team Coordination & Continuous Improvement

• Collaborate daily with sales, operations, engineering, and software development teams.
• Provide clear, timely updates regarding system builds, equipment availability, customer issues, and operational activities.
• Help coordinate priorities to keep customer orders, technical support, and internal projects moving forward.
• Support testing and evaluation of new hardware, firmware, and software functionality.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve assembly procedures, inventory management, documentation, and operational efficiency.
• Take initiative to resolve issues independently while knowing when to collaborate or escalate.

Required Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with industrial automation systems, PLCs, RTUs, electronics, or related control equipment.
• Experience with electrical wiring, soldering, electronic assembly, and troubleshooting.
• Experience configuring or troubleshooting wireless radio communication systems.
• Familiarity with PLC/RTU programming or configuration, including basic programming concepts such as ladder logic or C.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities, prioritize tasks, and maintain accurate records.
• Effective communication skills with customers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Comfortable working independently and taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
• Willingness to perform both technical and operational tasks, including inventory, purchasing, and shipping.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 10–15% of the time, including remote locations and multi-day, out-of-state assignments.
• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SCADA systems, industrial telemetry, or remote monitoring applications.
• Familiarity with Motorola Solutions ACE3600, MC Edge, or similar industrial RTU platforms.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus TCP/RTU.
• Knowledge of UHF/VHF radio communications, cellular networking, IP networking, or other wireless technologies.
• Experience with industrial field instrumentation, sensors, pumps, valves, and related automation equipment.
• Prior experience installing or commissioning industrial automation systems.
• Experience supporting agricultural irrigation, municipal water, wastewater, or industrial infrastructure.
• Familiarity with inventory management, purchasing, order fulfillment, and vendor coordination.
• Experience with cloud-connected or IoT-based automation systems.
• Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent practical experience in electronics, industrial automation, controls, or a related field.

Working Conditions & Travel

• Primarily based at Branif Systems' Laguna Hills office.
• Regular hands-on work involving electronic components, control systems, wiring, testing, and equipment assembly.
• Office-based responsibilities involving customer support, inventory management, purchasing, and coordination with internal teams.
• Approximately 10–15% travel, depending on customer and project requirements.
• Travel may include very remote locations throughout California and other states, sometimes with limited access to nearby services and infrastructure.
• Field assignments may require multiple consecutive days away from home and overnight accommodations.
• Must be comfortable working at outdoor agricultural sites, industrial facilities, and municipal infrastructure locations under varying environmental conditions.
• Ability to safely lift, carry, and handle equipment associated with system assembly and field installations.
• Occasional scheduling flexibility may be required to accommodate commissioning activities and customer support needs.

Who Thrives at Branif

• Ownership & Accountability: You take responsibility for your work and follow through.
• Technical Curiosity: You enjoy understanding how systems work and solving problems.
• Organization & Attention to Detail: You maintain accurate records, organized processes, and high-quality work.
• Customer Focus: You recognize that reliable technology and responsive service are equally important.
• Adaptability & Initiative: You are comfortable handling diverse responsibilities and contributing across technical and operational functions.
• This is an opportunity to become an integral part of a software and automation systems company, working with advanced industrial automation technologies while helping improve the operational processes that support our customers and products.