Senior Controls Engineer: PLC Automation & Mill Startups

Energy Jobline ZR; Fairfax (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits starting Day 1

Medical

Dental

Vision

401k with company matching

Employee Stock Purchase plan

Life Insurance

Paid vacations and holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

West Fraser in Fairfax, VA, is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to maintain and improve PLC and automation systems across a large-scale manufacturing operation. You will train mill personnel, collaborate with vendors, and assist in project planning, startups, and commissioning activities.

Responsibilities include diagnosing equipment performance, implementing optimization opportunities, and ensuring safe, reliable operation.

Qualifications

• Associates or Bachelor’s degree or equivalent related experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing and/or operating machine automation solutions in the manufacturing industry.
• Proven experience in working on large-scale manufacturing operations.
• Excellent troubleshooting skills – Drives, PLC issues, control issues, electrical. Ability to troubleshoot from afar and talk mill folks effectively through issues.
• Allen-Bradley PLC Programming and HMI Programming.
• Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 525 and PowerFlex 755 experience.
• Electrical Design and Drive Configuration and Network Design.
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal.

Responsibilities

• Assist in maintaining and improving PLC and other automation control systems while ensuring safety and reliability.
• Train mill personnel to bring skills up to current systems.
• Engage with mill personnel to understand needs and provide effective support.
• Maintain and care for optimization systems (software and hardware).
• Respond to emergency situations.
• Identify opportunities for improvement and help implement them.
• Assist in project planning, startups, and vendor coordination to meet ramp goals.
• Install, commission, and operate electrical and electronic equipment and systems.
• Diagnose, test, and analyze performance of components and systems.

Skills

Machine automation

Allen-Bradley programming

HMI programming

Electrical design

Drive configuration

Troubleshooting

Communication

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

PowerFlex 525

PowerFlex 755

PLC Programming tools

Electrical design tools

Job description

West Fraser in Fairfax, VA, is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to maintain and improve PLC and automation systems across a large-scale manufacturing operation. You will train mill personnel, collaborate with vendors, and assist in project planning, startups, and commissioning activities.

Responsibilities include diagnosing equipment performance, implementing optimization opportunities, and ensuring safe, reliable operation.