Controls Technician/ Jr Controls Engineer

ABOUT US

Austgen Electric is a 4th-generation family-owned electrical contractor based in Griffith, Indiana, proudly serving the region since 1945. For over 80 years, we have built our reputation on quality craftsmanship, integrity, and a commitment to our people. We specialize in industrial electrical work, controls, and automation for manufacturing, municipal, and commercial clients across Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago metro area.

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

We're looking for a sharp, curious, self-motivated individual who is looking for an opportunity to build a career in electrical controls and automation. This isn't your typical "check the boxes" hire — we want someone who tinkers, experiments, and learns on their own time. Whether you've been programming PLCs in your garage, building Home Assistant setups, contributing to open-source automation projects, or wiring up your own control panels — if you're hungry for the right opportunity, we want to hear from you.

THE ROLE

● Design, build, wire, and troubleshoot electrical control panels

● Program and commission PLCs and HMIs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, and others)

● Work with variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor controls, and instrumentation

● Read and interpret electrical schematics and P&IDs

● Support field commissioning and startup of control systems

● Collaborate with engineers, project managers, and clients on automation solutions

● Document control system configurations and as-built drawings

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT FIT

● Self-taught mindset — you learn by doing, not just by being told

● Genuine curiosity about how things work, especially electrical systems and automation

● Familiarity with open-source tools (OpenPLC, Node-RED, MQTT, Home Assistant, Arduino/ESP32, Linux)

● Some experience or personal projects with PLC programming, HMI development, or panel wiring

● Comfortable with basic networking (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, IP addressing)

● Strong work ethic and eagerness

● to grow into a senior role

● Good communication skills — you can explain technical concepts clearly

NICE TO HAVE

● Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (not required if you can demonstrate skills)

● Experience with RSLogix / Studio 5000, TIA Portal, or CODESYS

● GitHub profile or portfolio of personal projects

● Familiarity with version control (Git)

● OSHA 10 or 30 certification

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

This is a union position represented by IBEW Local 697 (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers). Compensation follows the Local 697 Programmer Agreement wage schedule.

Classification

Wage Rate

Timeline

Programmer V

$31.20/hr

0–6 months

Programmer IV

$36.40/hr

6–12 months

Programmer III

$41.60/hr

12–24 months

Programmer II

$46.80/hr

24–36 months

Journeyman Programmer

$52.00/hr

36+ months

The total compensation package, including fringe benefits, is valued at $86.48/hr at the Journeyman level.

Benefits Package (IBEW Local 697)

● Health & Benefit coverage ($10.85/hr employer contribution)

● Local Union Pension ($9.00/hr employer contribution)

● Defined Contribution retirement plan ($8.50/hr for Journeyman level)

● Health & Benefit Plan P ($1.74/hr)

● Vacation Fund (5% of gross wages)

● Apprenticeship training fund ($1.20/hr)

● NEBF — National Electrical Benefit Fund (3% of gross)

● Hands-on mentorship from experienced controls professionals

● Exposure to a wide variety of industries and project types

● A culture that values initiative, curiosity, and continuous learning

● Opportunity to advance through classifications to Journeyman Programmer and beyond

● Tools and resources to support your professional development

HOW TO APPLY

Send your resume, any links to projects or GitHub repos, and a brief note about what gets you excited about controls and automation to:

employment@austgen.com

Visit us at www.austgen.com

Austgen Electric is an equal opportunity employer.

Pay: $31.20 - $52.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person