Automation Specialist

Arauco • Grayling Charter Township, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This role is located onsite at our Grayling manufacturing site and reports into the Electrical and Automation Coordinator. In this role, you would be responsible for all PLC programming within the mill, including coaching and supporting other electrical staff involved in programming. You will maintain documentation for process control systems, including PLC programs, HMI/PanelView applications, network architecture, and related control system documentation. You will collaborate with IT and other stakeholders to create, maintain, and optimize process control networks. You will develop and maintain standard trends for critical process variables and ensure trending tools are properly utilized for monitoring, troubleshooting, and process optimization. You will lead process control improvements and modifications to enhance safety, reliability, quality, and operational performance. You will integrate measurement and instrumentation equipment with the process control network. You will design, evaluate, and tune process control loops to ensure optimal equipment and process performance. You will provide technical support, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and process optimization guidance to Process Leaders, operators, maintenance personnel, and electrical staff. You will serve as a technical resource for maintenance and operations by providing equipment-specific expertise and maintaining key vendor and engineering contacts. You will plan and coordinate assigned work to minimize break-in work, ensure scheduling readiness, establish timelines and milestones, and prepare job boxes and work sites as required. You will coordinate with Stores, suppliers, contractors, and service providers to ensure materials, equipment, and contracted services are delivered accurately and on schedule. You will communicate project status, equipment changes, and process modifications to relevant stakeholders through meetings, emails, and other communication channels. You will support downtime, shutdown, startup, and capital project activities, including participation in planning meetings and coordination of project tie-ins during uptime and downtime. You will work closely with project leaders to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget. You will demonstrate and promote ARAUCO's culture and teamwork values through daily actions and interactions. You will participate in weekend on-call rotation responsibilities.

Requirements

• Minimum 1 years of PLC programming experience.
• HMI programming experience in an industrial environment.
• Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
• Self-motivated, self-starter, and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to work extended hours as required.

Nice To Haves

• Diploma or degree in a programming curriculum preferred.
• CAD experience is preferred.
• Experience in wood or paper products manufacturing is an asset.
• Ability to undertake multiple projects and manage key business metrics.
• Familiarity of the basic functions of a CMMS system preferred.
• Have a focus on continuous improvement and an understanding of what drives improved uptime metrics. Ability to look for improvement opportunities, optimize to increase efficiencies and overall equipment uptime.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for all PLC programming within the mill, including coaching and supporting other electrical staff involved in programming.
• Maintain documentation for process control systems, including PLC programs, HMI/PanelView applications, network architecture, and related control system documentation.
• Collaborate with IT and other stakeholders to create, maintain, and optimize process control networks.
• Develop and maintain standard trends for critical process variables and ensure trending tools are properly utilized for monitoring, troubleshooting, and process optimization.
• Lead process control improvements and modifications to enhance safety, reliability, quality, and operational performance.
• Integrate measurement and instrumentation equipment with the process control network.
• Design, evaluate, and tune process control loops to ensure optimal equipment and process performance.
• Provide technical support, troubleshooting, problem-solving, and process optimization guidance to Process Leaders, operators, maintenance personnel, and electrical staff.
• Serve as a technical resource for maintenance and operations by providing equipment-specific expertise and maintaining key vendor and engineering contacts.
• Plan and coordinate assigned work to minimize break-in work, ensure scheduling readiness, establish timelines and milestones, and prepare job boxes and work sites as required.
• Coordinate with Stores, suppliers, contractors, and service providers to ensure materials, equipment, and contracted services are delivered accurately and on schedule.
• Communicate project status, equipment changes, and process modifications to relevant stakeholders through meetings, emails, and other communication channels.
• Support downtime, shutdown, startup, and capital project activities, including participation in planning meetings and coordination of project tie-ins during uptime and downtime.
• Work closely with project leaders to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Demonstrate and promote ARAUCO's culture and teamwork values through daily actions and interactions.
• Participates in weekend on-call rotation responsibilities.

Benefits

• An attractive compensation package with either bonus or profit/gain sharing eligibility for every role
• Health plans with options that meet your needs, including a wellness program, gym reimbursement, and additional benefits such as pet insurance, legal insurance, employer-paid and voluntary life insurance, and more
• Paid maternity and paternity leave, a competitive vacation package, and company and floating holidays designed to support your work-life balance
• Retirement planning options, including generous employer contributions
• Opportunities to learn and develop, including a tuition reimbursement program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree