PLC Controls Specialist

Interfor Corporation; Molalla (OR); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Short-Term Incentive Bonus

3 weeks vacation to start

11 paid holidays

401K matching

Employee Share Purchase Program

Extended Health & Dental

Job summary

Interfor is seeking a PLC Controls Specialist to join our Port Angeles mill’s technical team. You will troubleshoot, maintain, and optimize PLCs, sensors, drives, and related electrical systems while collaborating across operations and maintenance to drive continuous improvement.

The role offers hands-on leadership, mentorship to electricians and millwrights, and a strong safety focus in a modern industrial environment. Port Angeles combines advanced processes with a collaborative culture.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in electrical engineering, computer science, or related field preferred.
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, instrumentation, and process control in an industrial setting.
• Experience with CMMS systems and modern control technologies.
• Ability to read schematics/blueprints and diagnose root causes.
• Strong safety mindset and commitment to mill operations.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose and resolve electrical, instrumentation, PLC, and process control issues to minimize downtime.
• Maintain, modify, and optimize PLCs, control systems, sensors, drives, and related equipment.
• Collaborate with mill leadership, production, and maintenance to meet goals.
• Provide hands-on leadership and mentorship to electricians and millwrights.
• Ensure safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance while delivering high performance.

Skills

PLC controls

Troubleshooting

Industrial electrical

Diagnostics from schematics

Clear communication

Education

Electrical engineering

Computer science

Tools

Ignition

Cognex Vision

Wireless technologies

CMMS

Microsoft Office

Job description

As a PLC Controls Specialist at Interfor’s Port Angeles mill, you’ll play a critical hands‑on role in keeping a complex, high‑performance operation running at top‑quartile levels. This position offers deep exposure to PLCs, process control, and advanced electrical systems, while working closely with operations and maintenance teams to solve real‑world problems and drive continuous improvement. If you’re motivated by technical challenge, autonomy, and making a visible impact in a modern industrial environment, this role delivers.

What You’ll Do

• Troubleshooting: Diagnose and resolve electrical, instrumentation, PLC, and process control issues across mill operations to minimize downtime and maintain performance.
• Controls & Systems: Maintain, modify, and optimize PLCs, control systems, sensors, drives, and related AC/DC electrical equipment.
• Collaboration: Work closely with mill leadership, production, and maintenance teams to support operational goals and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Technical Leadership: Provide hands‑on support and mentorship to electricians and millwrights, contributing to skill development and team effectiveness.
• Safety & Quality: Ensure all work complies with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards while supporting reliable, high‑quality mill performance.

What You Offer

• Controls Expertise: Strong hands‑on experience with PLCs (preferably Allen‑Bradley or equivalent), process control instrumentation, motor controls, drives, and industrial electrical systems.
• Technical Troubleshooting: Proven ability to diagnose root causes, interpret schematics and blueprints, and resolve complex electrical, control, and automation issues in an industrial environment.
• Systems & Tools: Comfortable working with CMMS systems, Microsoft Office, precision measurement tools, and modern control technologies; experience with Ignition, Cognex vision, or wireless technologies is an asset.
• Collaboration & Communication: Able to work effectively across operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams, providing clear technical guidance and mentorship to electricians and millwrights.
• Education & Mindset: Post‑secondary education in electrical engineering, computer science, or a related field preferred (or equivalent hands‑on experience), with a strong safety focus, self‑motivation, and flexibility to support mill operations as needed.

Who We Are

Interfor is a growth-oriented forest products company, operating in all majorforest products markets across North America. We offer one of the most diverselines of wood products to customers around the globe, produced insafety-focused, world-class facilities. We strengthen and contribute to thelocal economies, build value for our employees and customers, and operate withworld-leading sustainable forest management practices. We are proud to producesustainable building materials that contribute to a healthy and sustainablefuture. Check out www.interfor.com tolearn more about our approach to sustainability.

Interfor is one of thelargest forest products companies in the world and we’re growing in excitingdirections. Come be a part of our success! #StartHereGoFar

What We Offer

Interforoffers a competitive salary based on experience, skills, and qualifications,along with a comprehensive total rewards package. We’re committed to creatingcareers where employees can contribute, grow, and thrive. In addition to basepay, you’ll enjoy:

• Short-Term Incentive Bonus
• 3 weeks vacation to start & 11 paid holidays.
• 401K matching
• Employee Share Purchase Program matching
• Extended Health & Dental

Molalla is a picturesque town surrounded by lush farmland and the Cascade foothills,offering a peaceful rural lifestyle with quick access to Portland. Known forits outdoor recreation, residents enjoy hiking, horseback riding, and riveradventures, all in a friendly, close-knit community. Affordable housing andscenic beauty make Molalla a great choice for families and nature lovers.

We want you to grow yourcareer with Interfor. With our industry leading training programs and trackrecord of promoting from within, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to ‘StartHere. Go Far.’ Check out our Employee Development Programs to learn more at www.interfor.com/careers .We appreciate the interest of all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All applicants offered a position must successfully complete a background check. In addition, as a federal contractor, all applicants offered a position must successfully pass a pre-employment drug test including the testing for cannabis. Interfor is an Equal Opportunity Employer building a capable, committed, diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual identity, gender, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.