Why this role exists
Our long-time Electrical Technologist is retiring. This role owns the health and evolution of Kobold’s instrumentation systems that support our downhole frac BHAs and our in-shop and flow-loop testing. If you like building real hardware, troubleshooting under time pressure, and steadily making platforms better (not just keeping the lights on), you will fit well here.
What you will own
1) GuideHawk (Guide) memory instrument sub - assembly, servicing, calibration
We run a fleet of Guide tools (annular and tubing frac variants). The main board is designed in-house and assembled by a local electronics partner. You will:
- Assemble new tools and service the existing fleet
- Build and install wiring harnesses, integrate daughter boards, pressure transducers, strain gauges, batteries, and related components
- Perform potting and sealing operations (and continuously improve the process and workmanship standards)
- Assemble electronics onto a mandrel, complete final housings, and perform calibration and functional checks
- Maintain build records, service history, and calibration traceability
- Coordinate with our firmware support resource to diagnose issues and verify fixes
2) Test instrumentation support across Kobold
We use load cells, pressure transducers, flowmeters, and other instrumentation across Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, and the flow loop bay. You will:
- Own calibration scheduling, vendor coordination, and incoming verification for sensors and load cells
- Build and maintain WinDaq-based DAQ boxes and configure inputs (4-20 mA, 0-5 V, etc.)
- Troubleshoot signal integrity issues (noise, grounding, shielding, connector problems, damaged cables, bad sensors)
- Support shop testing and field readiness with practical, fast solutions
3) Continuous improvement (encouraged)
The current Guide platform works, but we want it to get better over time. You will be encouraged to:
- Improve build robustness, repeatability, and serviceability
- Propose design upgrades (electronics, packaging, harnessing, sealing, calibration approach, test fixtures)
- Create jigs, fixtures, or test setups that make builds faster and reduce rework
- Document what good looks like so the fleet is maintainable long-term
- Key responsibilities
- Provide timely support to revenue-generating operations and internal testing programs
- Assemble, test, troubleshoot, repair, and calibrate electronics and instrumentation systems
- Create and maintain clear build procedures, service procedures, calibration records, and wiring documentation
- Coordinate external vendors (PCB assembler, calibration vendors) and manage parts needed to keep the fleet healthy
- Participate in shop testing and (occasionally) field support where practical
- Maintain strong housekeeping in shared work areas and treat the lab like a production environment when required
What success looks like (first 6-12 months)
- You can independently assemble and service Guide tools with consistent quality and minimal rework
- You improve 1-2 chronic pain points (build process, connectorization, potting approach, calibration workflow, test fixture, DAQ setup)
- Calibration and sensor readiness becomes controlled and well-tracked (no surprises)
- Engineering and Operations trust the instrumentation outputs and know who to call when something is weird
Required skills and experience
We are open to a strong Electrical Engineering Technologist or a Electrical Engineer who is hands-on.
- Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology or Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent)
- 3+ years of relevant hands-on experience in a manufacturing, instrumentation, mechatronics, or field-service environment (less may be OK if you are exceptional and hands-on)
- Practical experience building and troubleshooting electronics (wiring, connectors, soldering, harnessing, potting, enclosure assembly)
- Embedded systems familiarity (enough to work effectively with firmware support)
- Comfort reviewing circuits, wiring diagrams, and basic PCB-level concepts
- Ability to modify existing PCB designs and associated manufacturing outputs (BOM, Gerber, pick-and-place/NC files) to support component substitutions, IC swaps, and obsolescence management; experience designing new PCBs using Altium Designer or similar tools is an asset.
- Strong troubleshooting ability with an oscilloscope, DMM, power supplies, and basic lab tools
- Comfort working with sensors and signal types (4-20 mA, 0-5 V, strain gauge measurement, pressure sensors)
- Strong organization and documentation habits, attention to detail, and follow-through
Nice-to-haves (not required)
- Experience with downhole tools, oilfield instrumentation, vibration and temperature considerations, or ruggedized electronics
- Interest in mechanical packaging, sealing, and practical design-for-assembly improvements
- Ability to use SolidWorks
- What you will probably like here
- Real ownership - you are not one of many; you own this platform day-to-day
- Hands-on work that matters - your work directly impacts tool readiness and data quality
- Practical engineering culture - design, build, test, improve, repeat
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $90,000.00-$120,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Vision care
- Wellness program
Application question(s):
- Do you have practical experience building and troubleshooting electronics (wiring, connectors, soldering, harnessing, potting, enclosure assembly)
- Are you familiar with embedded systems enough to work effectively with firmware support?
- Are you comfortable with reviewing circuit and wiring diagrams, and basic PCB-level outputs?
- Are you able to modify existing PCB designs and associated manufacturing outputs (BOM, Gerber, pick-and-place/NC files) to support component substitutions, IC swaps, and obsolescence management?
- Do you have strong troubleshooting ability with an oscilloscope, DMM, power supplies, and basic lab tools?
- Are you comfortable working with sensors and signal types (4-20 mA, 0-5 V, strain gauge measurement, pressure sensors)?
Experience:
- relevant hands-on: 3 years (required)
Language:
Work Location: In person
