Title: Automation Intern Location: Willmar, MN, USA Posted Date: 2026-08-27T14:22:00.000-04:00 Employment Type: Intern Compensation: USD 22 - 26
Job Description: Automation Engineer Intern Job Description STATUS: Non-Exempt / Hourly DEPARTMENT: Automation HOURS: Monday – Friday, average of 45 hours per week REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS Reports to: Automation Engineer Supervisor Supervise: N/A PURPOSE OF THE JOB This position allows an internship to provide an opportunity to gain additional knowledge and skills in this area of interest at RELCO, build professional relationships, and develop an understanding of the manufacturing process. SUMMARY OF KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES - Accountable to advise on all aspects related to the quoting and/or sales order to communicate with customer. - Accountable to read and interpret electrical drawings. - Accountable to carry out project duties that minimizes stress for onsite commissioning. - Accountable to follow safety standards. - Authority to alter and/or halt the assigned project duties with just cause and according to company policy. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES Responsibilities Duties Standards of Performance Quotes - Advise sales needed/missing information to provide an accurate quote. - Interact with customer/vendor to gather information required to do an accurate quote. - Advise sales on constraints from customer that are unrealistic, costly, risky, etc. - Request advice from others in department on issues outside of expertise. - Provide accurate numbers & disclaimers to customers for quotes. - Quality of interacting with coworkers & customers during the quoting process. - Accuracy of information gathered to provide a correct quote. Electrical Drawings - Review PID drawings & identify devices needing controls. - Research panel components connections & draw them on the electrical drawing. - Appropriately mark electrical drawing for revisions & stages with proper approvals. - Order panel component parts & account for the lead time required. - Quality of following RELCO’s documented processes for errors/revisions. - Accuracy of ordered parts and providing feedback. Panel Building - Review parts list and inventory them in an organized fashion for assigned projects. - Contact appropriate people about missing items. - Read the electrical drawings & build panels to specifications on drawing. - Give feedback on electrical drawing errors. - Accuracy of information parts ordered for panel. - Accuracy of building panel to the electrical drawing specs. Automation Programming - Identify device control boundaries of sequencers instances & pin charts. - Produce pin charts & review with process engineer. - Conform code structure that applies for the project. - Document code. - Follow directions from a superior, or an assigned superior, for a project. - Set-up & recipe screens to organize in a logical fashion based on production mode, chronological write order, and flow paths. - Quality of identifying device control boundaries. - Quality of code used and documented. Panel Building & Programming Testing - Program networks that support IO in panel(s). - Double check wire labels, solenoid labels, terminal labels, etc. for correctness. - Check every IO point for communication to PLC code for assigned projects. - Quality of panels built and PLC coding Pre-Commissioning & Commissioning - Set-up and verify field instruments, VFD, PLC IO, and HMI clients. - Informing supervisor of concerns or delays with commission of the automation system while onsite. - Watch people and control system interaction and detect unforeseen bad events that can be avoided by changing the code with approval from superior. - On the fly code changes with low risk of bringing system down. - Assist in training operators and answer questions. - Quality of set ups & informing others of concerns that could cause delays. Internal Software Development - Take a software/idea & formulate layout for the code. - Develop and document the code. - Test and maintain internal software for the end users. - Quality of the idea, the layout, and the code used for the project. Safety Standards - Follow all safety procedures when operating machinery. - Keep work area clean & organized so not to present a safety hazard. - Quality of safety procedures followed. Other Duties - Assist with all special projects assigned by the manager/supervisor - All other duties as assigned. ** Note** The job description above is only a characterization of the duties and not a full list. The provider of the function is also obliged to loyally carry out all reasonably commissioned duties. COMPETENCY PROFILE - Teamwork - Communication - Attention to detail KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE Education: Enrolled in college/university for automation related curriculum Experience: Knowledge of power tools Kovalus offers a comprehensive package that includes: Medical (3 plan options), Dental (2 plan options) and Vision plan insurances; 401K (6% company match & fixed company contribution based on seniority); health savings and flexible spending accounts; company provided basic life insurance policy with the option of selecting additional voluntary life insurance for self, spouse or dependents; disability insurances (short-term policy is company paid & long-term is split between company and employee); voluntary insurance plans for Accident, Critical Illness and Hospital Indemnity; business and personal travel insurance; 10 paid holidays; vacation time starting at 3 weeks; 48 hours sick time; employee assistance program; educational assistance program; referral bonus; bereavement leave. All benefits are subject to applicable plan and program terms (including eligibility terms) and may be subject to change. The Company’s employment application form will state, at least, that The Company will consider all applicants for positions without regard to race, color, religion, religious creed, sex, gender or gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, ancestry, age, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy (including medical needs which may arise from pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions), military and veteran status, genetic information, marital or familial status, political affiliation, union membership, or any other basis prohibited by law.
About Kovalus Separation Solutions
Kovalus Separation Solutions manufactures industrial machinery for membrane filtration, ion exchange, evaporation, and drying. The company serves clients in the food and beverage, life sciences, and industrial sectors. Founded in 1963, it operates out of Wilmington, Massachusetts. The organization employs over 400 people.
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