Automation Specialist

Arauco; Michigan; On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans with wellness program and

Gym reimbursement

Pet insurance

Life insurance (employer-paid)

Tuition reimbursement program

Job summary

ARAUCO is seeking an Automation Specialist for our Grayling, MI site. The role reports into the Electrical and Automation Coordinator and focuses on PLC and HMI programming, documentation, and process control network optimization.

You will collaborate with IT and operations to improve uptime, safety, and efficiency, while supporting multi-project initiatives and continuous improvement activities. Weekend on-call rotation is expected.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of PLC programming experience.
• Diploma or degree in a programming curriculum preferred.
• HMI programming experience in an industrial environment.
• CAD experience is preferred.
• Experience in wood or paper products manufacturing is an asset.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and key business metrics.
• Familiarity with basic CMMS functions is preferred.
• Focus on continuous improvement to improve uptime and efficiency.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Self-motivated, self-starter with strong organizational skills.
• Willingness to work extended hours as required.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all PLC programming within the mill, including coaching other electrical staff.
• Maintain documentation for process control systems and related control system documentation.
• Collaborate with IT and stakeholders to create and optimize process control networks.
• Develop and maintain standard trends for critical process variables and use trending tools for monitoring and optimization.
• Lead process control improvements to enhance safety, reliability, quality, and performance.
• Integrate measurement and instrumentation with the process control network.
• Design, evaluate, and tune process control loops for optimal performance.
• Provide technical support and problem solving to operators and maintenance staff.
• Serve as a technical resource for maintenance with vendor and engineering contacts.
• Plan and coordinate work to minimize downtime and ensure readiness.
• Coordinate with stores, suppliers, contractors, and service providers to meet schedules.
• Communicate project status and changes to stakeholders.
• Support downtime, shutdown, startup, and capital project activities.
• Work with project leaders to complete projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Demonstrate ARAUCO culture and teamwork daily.
• Participate in weekend on-call rotation.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

MS Word

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Multi-project management

Process improvement

Self-motivated

Strong organizational skills

Extended hours work

Education

Programming curriculum degree or diploma

Tools

CAD software

CMMS familiarity

Industrial networking tools

Job description

Looking for a rewarding career with a company that values people, growth, sustainability, and teamwork? Join our Grayling team as an Automation Specialist!

This role is located onsite at our Grayling manufacturing site and reports into the Electrical and Automation Coordinator.

What we are looking for:

• Minimum 1 years of PLC programming experience.
• Diploma or degree in a programming curriculum preferred.
• HMI programming experience in an industrial environment.
• CAD experience is preferred.
• Experience in wood or paper products manufacturing is an asset.
• Ability to undertake multiple projects and manage key business metrics.
• Familiarity of the basic functions of a CMMS system preferred.
• Have a focus on continuous improvement and an understanding of what drives improved uptime metrics. Ability to look for improvement opportunities, optimize to increase efficiencies and overall equipment uptime.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Self-motivated, self-starter, and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work extended hours as required.

What we offer:

• An attractive compensation package with either bonus or profit/gain sharing eligibility for every role
• Health plans with options that meet your needs, including a wellness program, gym reimbursement, and additional benefits such as pet insurance, legal insurance, employer-paid and voluntary life insurance, and more
• Paid maternity and paternity leave, a competitive vacation package, and company and floating holidays designed to support your work-life balance
• Retirement planning options, including generous employer contributions
• Opportunities to learn and develop, including a tuition reimbursement program

In this role, you would:

• Responsible for all PLC programming within the mill, including coaching and supporting other electrical staff involved in programming.
• Maintain documentation for process control systems, including PLC programs, HMI/PanelView applications, network architecture, and related control system documentation.
• Collaborate with IT and other stakeholders to create, maintain, and optimize process control networks.
• Develop and maintain standard trends for critical process variables and ensure trending tools are properly utilized for monitoring, troubleshooting, and process optimization.
• Lead process control improvements and modifications to enhance safety, reliability, quality, and operational performance.
• Integrate measurement and instrumentation equipment with the process control network.
• Design, evaluate, and tune process control loops to ensure optimal equipment and process performance.
• Provide technical support, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and process optimization guidance to Process Leaders, operators, maintenance personnel, and electrical staff.
• Serve as a technical resource for maintenance and operations by providing equipment-specific expertise and maintaining key vendor and engineering contacts.
• Plan and coordinate assigned work to minimize break-in work, ensure scheduling readiness, establish timelines and milestones, and prepare job boxes and work sites as required.
• Coordinate with Stores, suppliers, contractors, and service providers to ensure materials, equipment, and contracted services are delivered accurately and on schedule.
• Communicate project status, equipment changes, and process modifications to relevant stakeholders through meetings, emails, and other communication channels.
• Support downtime, shutdown, startup, and capital project activities, including participation in planning meetings and coordination of project tie-ins during uptime and downtime.
• Work closely with project leaders to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Demonstrate and promote ARAUCO's culture and teamwork values through daily actions and interactions.
• Participates in weekend on-call rotation responsibilities.

About Us

At ARAUCO, we’re more than a global leader in sustainable wood products—we’re a team driven by innovation, environmental stewardship, and strong core values. Committed to responsible forestry and quality craftsmanship, we create products that shape industries and protect the planet. Sustainability is central to everything we do—from responsible forestry to reducing environmental impact, we are dedicated to preserving natural resources for future generations.

Grow your career with purpose and help us shape a better future—one product, one idea, and one team at a time.

Arauco is committed to creating an inclusive culture across the organization.

Arauco is an equal opportunity employer to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.

Additionally, we demonstrate that commitment by preventing and removing barriers for persons with disabilities.

Where it is not possible to remove barriers, Arauco will make efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities in a timely, effective and suitable manner.

If you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know.