Electrical Design & Controls Technician

📍     Location:           Ottawa, ON, Canada

📆     Employment:   Full-time, 12-month Contract

👤     Report To:         Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

ABOUT GAIA REFINERY

Gaia Refinery is building the next generation of carbon removal technology. We are developing a modular, low-energy Direct Air Capture (DAC) platform designed for real-world deployment and commercialization. Our technology integrates directly into existing bio-industrial infrastructure, transforming waste biomass streams into scalable carbon removal solutions.

 Every day our team designs, builds, tests, and refines systems capable of capturing high-purity atmospheric CO₂ efficiently and affordably. We are laser focused on performance, durability, and integration, so that we are engineering the best modular unit that works at plant scale.

 Our mission is clear: To enable gigaton-scale carbon removal by embedding modular CDR systems inside the industries that already power the global economy. We are not just developing technology. We are building a NEW infrastructure layer for the emerging carbon economy.

 ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a versatile, hands-on Electrical Design & Controls Technician to be a core builder of our next-generation DAC prototypes.

This role is ideal for those who love to translate control system designs into reliable, well-integrated electrical and automation systems. It is for the individual who does their best work at the interface of software and hardware, by wiring panels, integrating sensors and PLCs, troubleshooting control loops, and commissioning machines alongside a multidisciplinary engineering team.

 If you are a pragmatic problem-solver who takes pride in building elegant, functional systems and make substantial positive impact on the well-being of our planet, this is your role.

 KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Transform schematics and control strategies into fully integrated electrical systems. (i.e. panel layout to PLC configuration, sensor calibration, and system commissioning)

• Work hands-on in the lab and on the shop floor: wiring panels, integrating sensors and actuators, programming control systems, and troubleshooting faults.

• Generate and maintain accurate Bills of Materials (BOMs), source components, and work directly with vendors to ensure the timely and cost-effective delivery of electrical parts.

• Create and maintain detailed wiring schematics, panel layouts, and control logic documentation to ensure clear knowledge transfer to the CTO, mechanical/process engineers, and other key stakeholders.

• Diagnose electrical and control system issues, proactively refining architecture to ensure prototypes evolve into commercially deployable, field-ready systems.

• Act as the electrical/controls liaison, ensuring your designs integrate seamlessly with mechanical constraints and overarching process goals.

• Iterate quickly in a prototype-heavy environment, continuously improving system performance alongside a multidisciplinary engineering team.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Formal training or certification in electrical engineering, PLC/Automation technology, machining, or a related field.

• 1-3+ years of relevant hands-on experience is required:

  • programming and commissioning PLC-based control systems (e.g., ladder logic, function block, structured text).

  • integrating sensors, transmitters, VFDs, actuators, and safety interlocks into automated industrial systems.

  • configuring and troubleshooting HMI/SCADA systems and ensuring reliable data acquisition and control.

  • developing clean, organized panel layouts and wiring that align with best practices for serviceability and safety.

• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profibus, etc.).

• Proven ability to diagnose and resolve control system faults under live operating conditions using appropriate electrical diagnostic tools.

• Familiarity with industrial safety standards, lockout/tagout procedures, and controls-related risk mitigation.

• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, and assembly instructions.

• Experience with process instrumentation (e.g., pressure transmitters, mass flow meters, temperature sensors) and a strong functional knowledge of vacuum or pressurized gas systems.

• Experience working directly with external machine shops, fabricators, and vendors to source custom components and troubleshoot manufacturability.

• A builder’s mindset and a proactive systems thinker who considers integration, future service, and efficiency during assembly.

•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaboration and documentation.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A front-row seat to invention. You won’t just execute tasks, you’ll shape prototypes, influence design decisions, and see your ideas tested in the lab and field.

• Work that matters. Not in theory, but in steel, pumps, data, and deployed systems. You’ll help build and operate real carbon removal hardware at industrial scale.

• A culture of high trust and high standards. We value clarity, direct communication, ownership, and the courage to challenge assumptions. We move fast, learn quickly, and improve continuously.

• Competitive compensation and meaningful time off. We know that building hard things requires energy, focus, and balance.

• A chance to build infrastructure for the emerging carbon economy, and to leave behind systems that remove CO₂ for generations to come.

READY TO MAKE AN IMPACT?

 If you’re passionate about carbon removal, mechanical engineering, and sustainable innovation, we’d love to hear from you! Please submit a Cover Letter and Resume.