Controls Engineer

At Collins we are committed to building a better world. As a family-owned company founded in 1855 this begins with our commitment to land and resource stewardship on our 370 thousand acres of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified forest lands. With operations in California Oregon and Pennsylvania we manufacture softwood and hardwood lumber particleboard and hardboard siding.

Position Summary:

This position is responsible for designing programming configuring and troubleshooting PLCs and HMI systems that support sawmill production and wood products manufacturing addition this person will assist with capital projects facility maintenance/troubleshooting process optimization and shutdown activities to ensure plant safety high equipment reliability and minimal impact to production.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Ensure compliance with all standards and programs (safety environmental quality maintenance lockout/tagout and manufacturing policies and procedures).
• Design program modify install troubleshoot and oversee PLC HMI and industrial automation control systems for sawmill equipment (including conveyors debarkers scanners saw lines edgers trimmers stackers and kiln controls).
• Examine plant processes and control designs to implement changes that improve and increase efficiency yield product quality and productivity.
• Provide technical support of PLC-based hardware and software while utilizing electronic and mechanical theories and principles to troubleshoot and solve problems.
• Diagnose electrical instrumentation VFD servo motor and control system issues to perform root cause analysis on equipment failures and minimize production downtime.
• Assist with planning and budgeting for capital projects facility maintenance equipment replacements upgrades and shutdown activities.
• Provide maintenance and operations support capital project implementation and continuous improvement projects including: creating electrical/process control plans developing budgets collaborating with in-house and outside contractor personnel and maintaining electrical/process-related drawings.
• Provide process engineering support: develop a broad familiarity with sawmill unit operations and control system configurations; execute process troubleshooting and yield improvement; configure and support control system interfaces to plant IT/data systems; and provide backup support to other electrical/controls personnel.
• Provide ongoing informal and formal training and technical support for electrical crews and maintenance teams to ensure development of best operating and maintenance practices.
• Work closely with electrical departments to maintain all documentation related to PLC programs control system configurations electrical schematics SOPs and system backups.
• Participate in the development of new process designs motion control optimization scanners and integration of newer technologies with existing control architecture.
• Ability to execute full controls integration from electrical/instrumentation design to PLC HMI and industrial communication networks (Ethernet ControlNet DeviceNet Modbus Profinet).
• Coach maintenance and operational teams to think strategically about downtime prevention quick reaction to downtime events continuous improvement and long-term resolution of issues.
• Coordinate and communicate activities with plant operations departments for capital projects preventive/predictive maintenance and repair work on the plant site.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Degree or technical diploma in Electrical Engineering Automation Engineering Mechatronics or a related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• Minimum of 3 years PLC programming control systems and industrial automation experience in a manufacturing plant preferably in a sawmill lumber or wood products environment.
• Oregon electrical license a plus.
• Working experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation (Studio 5000 RSLogix 5000/500 FactoryTalk View) Direct Logic Siemens or equivalent PLC/HMI platforms required.
• Experienced in industrial Ethernet network design and implementation including fiber optics 10/100/1000BaseTX and standard fieldbus networks (ControlNet DeviceNet Modbus Profinet).
• Versed in discrete and analog control scheme development implementation and sensor/instrumentation calibration (pressure flow level temperature).
• Hands-on experience supporting 480V systems Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) servo motor control systems hydraulics pneumatics and steam systems.
• Proficient with personal computers and technical software (AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical Excel Word PowerPoint SQL CMMS Rockwell Software).
• Troubleshooting analytical and problem-solving skills with thorough knowledge of plant equipment to diagnose complex electrical and control issues.
• Self-motivated energetic and proactive with the ability to multi-task lead projects and work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Leadership coaching and mentoring skills along with excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Travel is required to other Collins facilities (Chester CA; Lakeview OR) with willingness to work flexible hours weekends holidays or respond to call-outs based on business and operational needs.
• Preferred: Experience with sawmill optimization scanners vision systems motion control and continuous improvement methodologies.

Environmental Conditions:

May be exposed to dust noise trip hazards and variable weather and temperatures.

Required Personal Protective Equipment:

Individuals must be willing to wear the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at all times. Positions may require additional PPE at specific times. Examples of PPE which may be required include high visibility garments hand protection eye protection hearing protection a hard hat foot protection a face shield and a respirator.

Travel required to Chester CA

Required Experience:

IC