Sawmill Controller Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB SUMMARY

The Electrical & Controls Systems Manager is the highest-level electrical and automation authority at Plain Dealing Lumber and holds full responsibility for the leadership, safety, and technical performance of the facility's electrical department. This role directly supervises Industrial Electricians and serves as the primary expert resource for all electrical systems, power distribution, motor controls, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), instrumentation, and automation across the sawmill, planer mill, and support operations. The Electrical & Controls Systems Manager is accountable for keeping the facility's electrical infrastructure safe, reliable, and code-compliant — leading the team through day-to-day maintenance, emergency troubleshooting, capital projects, and continuous improvement initiatives. This is a working manager role: the expectation is active, hands-on technical leadership alongside the Industrial Electricians, not oversight from a distance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervise Industrial Electricians; assign daily and weekly work orders, set priorities, manage scheduling, conduct performance evaluations, and ensure all electrical work is completed safely, correctly, and on schedule.

• Program, configure, modify, and troubleshoot PLCs (Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation preferred) and HMI systems across all sawmill, planer, and material handling equipment; maintain and back up all PLC programs and controls documentation.

• Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical faults, motor failures, control wiring issues, and power quality problems across the facility.

• Maintain full ownership and technical responsibility for all electrical power distribution systems including switchgear, transformers, motor control centers (MCCs), panel boards, and feeder circuits throughout the facility.

• Configure, troubleshoot, and commission VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) systems including parameter configuration and fault diagnosis for saws, conveyors, fans, and other driven equipment.

• Develop and implement the electrical preventive maintenance program; utilize thermographic/infrared scanning, motor current analysis, and other predictive maintenance tools to identify electrical failures before they cause downtime.

• Ensure all electrical systems are maintained in compliance with the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA 70E, and applicable OSHA electrical safety standards; manage arc flash hazard assessments, electrical safety labeling, and PPE requirements.

• Lead the scoping, design review, bidding, and execution of electrical capital improvement projects; manage electrical contractors and equipment vendors; review electrical drawings and specifications for NEC compliance.

• Maintain accurate and up-to-date single-line diagrams, panel schedules, wiring diagrams, and electrical as-builts for all facility systems.

• Recruit, onboard, and develop electrical department staff; conduct performance evaluations; prepare and manage the electrical department’s annual budget and preventive maintenance schedule.

• Investigate all electrical-related incidents and near-misses; lead root cause analysis and implement corrective actions; serve as the facility’s qualified electrical person for all OSHA electrical compliance matters.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Maintenance Manager or Plant Manager.

• Associate’s degree or technical diploma in Electrical Technology, Industrial Electrical Systems, or a related field required; Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Engineering Technology preferred.

• Minimum 7–10 years of industrial electrical experience in a manufacturing, sawmill, paper mill, or heavy industrial environment required.

• Minimum 3–5 years of experience in a lead or supervisory electrical role with direct responsibility for other electricians required.

• Demonstrated hands-on PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley RSLogix / Studio 5000 strongly preferred) in an active industrial production environment required.

• Expert-level knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and NFPA 70E electrical safety standards; Journeyman Electrician license required, Master Electrician license preferred.

• Strong proficiency with electrical test and diagnostic equipment (multi-meter, clamp meter, megohmmeter, thermal imager); ability to read and interpret complex electrical drawings, single-line diagrams, and control wiring diagrams.

• On-call availability to respond to electrical emergencies and production outages outside of normal business hours is a requirement of this role.

• Experience in a sawmill, lumber mill, paper mill, or wood products manufacturing environment is a strong plus.

• NFPA 70E arc flash safety training and qualified electrical person designation; experience with Rockwell software suite (Studio 5000, FactoryTalk) a strong plus.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills a plus given PDL’s workforce.

This position operates in both an office setting and an active industrial environment including energized electrical rooms, motor control centers, production floors, rooftop mechanical areas, and outdoor yard equipment. The incumbent must be able to stand, walk, climb ladders and elevated platforms, work in confined spaces and overhead areas, and lift and carry tools and equipment up to 50 lbs. The role involves regular exposure to energized electrical equipment, noise, sawdust, heat, and industrial conditions. Full electrical PPE including arc flash protection to the required incident energy level is required for all qualified electrical work. On-call availability for electrical emergencies and production outages is required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.

Plain Dealing Lumber is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.