Millwright

Compass Business Solutions Inc; United States; On-site; USD 34,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Plain Dealing Lumber in Louisiana seeks a Millwright to maintain and repair sawmill and planer equipment, including conveyors, motors, and gearboxes. You will troubleshoot mechanical issues, perform preventive maintenance, and respond to breakdowns to minimize downtime.

The role requires reading blueprints and technical manuals, welding/fabrication basics, and willingness to work rotating shifts. Emphasis on safety, accuracy, and teamwork in a hands-on facility.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical or vocational training in industrial maintenance preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of millwright or industrial maintenance experience, preferably in a sawmill, lumber, or heavy manufacturing environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with experience installing, aligning, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment, including hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical power transmission systems.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals; basic welding and fabrication skills required.
• Working knowledge of lockout/tagout and industrial safety procedures, with flexibility to work rotating shifts, overtime, and on-call emergency repairs.

Responsibilities

• Install, align, maintain, and repair industrial machinery, including conveyors, saws, chippers, planers, motors, and gearboxes.
• Diagnose mechanical issues and complete repairs to minimize downtime and production disruptions.
• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance, including lubrication, belt and chain adjustments, inspections, and component replacement.
• Troubleshoot and repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems, bearings, seals, gearboxes, and other mechanical components.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and equipment manuals to support installation, troubleshooting, and repair work.
• Fabricate, machine, or modify parts using hand and power tools and shop equipment, including welding, cutting, drilling, and grinding.

Skills

Mechanical Aptitude

Blueprint Reading

Maintenance Troubleshooting

Industrial Equipment Repair

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical/Vocational training in industrial maintenance

Millwright certification or apprenticeship

Tools

Precision alignment tools

Welding equipment

Job description

Who We Are

Plain Dealing Lumber is a harvesting and lumber manufacturing company in Plain Dealing, LA, committed to sustainable forestry and producing high-quality wood products. Our fast-paced, hands-on environment prioritizes safety, teamwork, and opportunities for continuous growth and long-term skill development.

Job Summary

The Millwright plays a key role in keeping Plain Dealing Lumber’s sawmill and planer operations running safely and efficiently. This position is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing industrial machinery and mechanical equipment, including conveyors, saws, motors, gearboxes, bearings, and hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Working closely with the Maintenance Manager and maintenance team, the Millwright performs preventive maintenance and responds to equipment breakdowns to minimize downtime and support reliable production operations.

This is a shift-based position at our Plain Dealing, LA facility, with the following schedule options available: Monday–Friday, 6:00 am–6:00 pm, or Thursday–Monday, 6:00 am–6:00 pm.

Hourly rate: $25 - $37, based on relevant experience.

Essential Responsibilities

• Install, align, maintain, and repair industrial machinery, including conveyors, saws, chippers, planers, motors, and gearboxes.
• Diagnose mechanical issues and complete repairs to minimize equipment downtime and production disruptions.
• Perform scheduled preventive maintenance, including lubrication, belt and chain adjustments, inspections, and component replacement.
• Troubleshoot and repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems, bearings, seals, gearboxes, and other mechanical components.
• Read and interpret blueprints, schematics, and equipment manuals to support installation, troubleshooting, and repair work.
• Fabricate, machine, or modify parts using hand and power tools and shop equipment, including welding, cutting, drilling, and grinding.
• Align and balance rotating equipment, including shafts, pulleys, and sprockets, using precision alignment tools.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and emergency repairs in a timely manner to help restore production.
• Maintain accurate work orders, maintenance records, parts usage, and equipment history.
• Coordinate with the Maintenance Manager and production team to complete maintenance with minimal disruption to operations.
• Assist with identifying and maintaining inventory of critical replacement parts.
• Follow lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and all company safety requirements when servicing equipment.
• Support and share technical knowledge with less experienced maintenance team members as needed.

Education and Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical or vocational training in industrial maintenance, millwright work, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of millwright or industrial maintenance experience, preferably in a sawmill, lumber, or heavy manufacturing environment.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with experience installing, aligning, troubleshooting, and repairing equipment, including hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical power transmission systems.
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals; basic welding and fabrication skills required.
• Working knowledge of lockout/tagout and industrial safety procedures, with flexibility to work rotating shifts, overtime, and on-call emergency repairs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Millwright certification or completion of a formal apprenticeship program.
• Experience with sawmill-specific equipment, such as headrigs, edgers, trimmers, planers, and chippers.
• Proficiency with precision alignment tools (dial indicators, laser alignment systems).
• Forklift and/or crane/rigging certification.
• Basic PLC troubleshooting knowledge.

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

• Work is performed primarily in sawmill, planer, and maintenance shop environments with exposure to noise, dust, heat, cold, moving machinery, and varying temperatures.
• Regularly work in physically demanding conditions around industrial machinery and production equipment.
• Prolonged standing and walking throughout the shift, with the ability to climb ladders and stairs, work at varying heights, and enter confined spaces as required.
• Frequent lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling of materials and equipment weighing up to 75 lbs.
• Regularly kneel, bend, crouch, crawl, stoop, reach, push, pull, and perform other repetitive tasks requiring physical activity.
• See, hear, communicate, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity and visual acuity, including the extended use of hand and power tools.
• Required use of personal protective equipment (PPE), including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel-toed boots, and gloves, in designated production and maintenance areas.
• Willing and able to respond to emergency equipment breakdowns outside of normal working hours as needed.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

Plain Dealing Lumber is committed to cultivating a workplace where diverse voices, perspectives, and experiences help drive our innovation and success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. Plain Dealing Lumber is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.