Process Control Engineer

Collins; Chester (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Collins in California operates a sawmill and wood products manufacturing environment. The role designs, programs, configures, and troubleshoots PLCs and HMI systems supporting production, with involvement in capital projects, maintenance, and process optimization to ensure safety, reliability, and minimal downtime.

The position requires hands-on experience with electrical/electronic controls, fieldbuses, and motion systems, plus strong problem-solving and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Degree or technical diploma in Electrical/Automation/Mechatronics (or equivalent).
• Minimum of 3 years' PLC programming and industrial automation in manufacturing.
• Oregon electrical license a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, modify, install, troubleshoot, and oversee PLC, HMI, and industrial automation control systems for sawmill equipment.
• Examine plant processes and control designs to implement improvements in efficiency, yield, and product quality.
• Provide maintenance and operations support, capital project implementation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Skills

PLC programming

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Electrical equipment

Team leadership

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD / Electrical

Rockwell Software

SQL

CMMS

Excel

Job description

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 facilities. In 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 Lakeview, OR

Salary DOE $85,000-$100,000