Electrical/Controls Engineer (Athol)

About the Role

This intermediate-level Electrical/Controls Engineer role focuses on independently designing, programming, commissioning, and continuously improving complete control systems for New Product Development initiatives in the industrial automated manufacturing space. The position requires strong engineering capability and hands-on field experience, with an expectation of increased technical depth, problem-solving skills, and ownership of assigned work scopes.

Responsibilities

• Support New Product Development initiatives as a solid contributor, leading the detailed design of control systems.
• Design, develop, and troubleshoot industrial control systems using Rockwell/Allen-Bradley platforms.
• Lead and support DCS integration, migration, and modernization projects for process and manufacturing systems.
• Independently develop and modify:
  • PLC logic
  • Function block diagrams
  • Ladder logic
  • Sequential control routines
  • Operator interface screens
  • Alarm and event strategies
  • Historian and data collection interfaces
• Design, create, and maintain control system documentation, including:
  • Control panel layouts
  • I/O lists
  • Power and control schematics
  • Control narratives
  • Cause-and-effect matrices
  • Loop sheets
  • Network architecture drawings
  • P&IDs markups
  • FAT/SAT and commissioning documents
• Independently design, implement, and support Electrical Systems and associated documentation, including:
  • MCCs and motor starters
  • VFDs and soft starters
  • Medium & low-voltage power distribution systems (PDCs)
• Configure and support industrial communications such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, serial Modbus, OPC, and other plant network protocols.
• Work closely with operations, maintenance, process engineering, and electricians to improve system reliability, safety, and performance.
• Support plant startups, shutdowns, and commissioning activities.
• Assist with alarm rationalization, process tuning, interlock verification, and control strategy optimization.
• Participate in management of change (MOC), PSSR, and process safety reviews where applicable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in one of the following:
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electrical & Computer Engineering
  • Dual majors or emphasis in Controls Engineering
• Associate’s degree in Instrumentation or Automation Controls Systems Engineering or related technical field combined with equivalent industrial experience strongly considered.
• 3+ years of experience as an engineer or other relevant work experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass a hair follicle drug test, post-offer pre-employment physical, and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• 4 - 6+ years of experience as an engineer or other relevant work experience.
• Rockwell Automation PlantPAx Experience.
• Solid Wood manufacturing experience.
• New Product Development experience.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit and/or stand for shift, reach with hands and arms, stoop, squat, bend at the waist, kneel, walk varying distances, and climb stairs.
• Bend at waist – occasional.
• Twist upper body – occasional.
• Stoop – occasional.
• Repetitive use of hands – frequent for clerical duties.
• Stand/walk – frequent.
• Sit/desk – frequent.
• Vision – near and far correctable; depth perception.
• Hearing – preferred for awareness of surrounding machinery, mobile equipment, and emergencies.

Work Environment

Must be able to tolerate all weather elements, loud conditions, and airborne particles (sawdust).