Junior Controls Technician

About the Role

This entry-level role supports the maintenance and troubleshooting of material handling control systems in a lumber manufacturing environment, working under the guidance of experienced controls and electrical technicians.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist senior controls and electrical technicians in maintaining material handling control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, motor controls, VFDs, industrial networks, and Robotics.
• Perform basic troubleshooting of control system issues and escalate complex problems to senior team members.
• Support routine inspections, testing, and preventative maintenance of electrical and control systems.
• Assist with software updates, patches, and minor configuration changes under supervision.
• Help collect and review system data and reports to support performance improvements.
• Work with internal OT/network support and OEM vendors as directed.
• Provide basic technical support for PLC and HMI devices.
• Follow established safety procedures and support compliance with regulatory and audit requirements.
• Maintain accurate documentation of work performed.
• Participate in training and development opportunities to build technical knowledge.
• Consistently work at acceptable production and performance levels.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Associate’s degree in Electronics Technology, Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, or a related field OR equivalent hands-on or technical training.
• Entry-level knowledge of industrial electrical and control systems.
• Ability to read and interpret basic electrical drawings and schematics.
• Basic understanding of PLCs, HMIs, motor controls, VFDs, and Robotics.
• Strong willingness to learn and follow instructions.
• Good problem-solving, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Basic computer skills and comfort working with industrial software systems.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.
• Ability to pass a post-offer pre-employment physical, hair follicle drug test, and background check.

Preferred Qualifications

• Enrollment in or completion of a technical apprenticeship or electrical training program.
• Internship, co-op, or hands-on experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Exposure to PLC programming software (e.g., Rockwell/Allen-Bradley).
• Familiarity with industrial networking concepts.
• Interest or basic exposure to robotic or automated systems.

Physical Demands

• Ability to sit and/or stand for shift, reach with hands and arms, stoop, squat, bend at the waist, kneel, walk varying distance, and climb stairs.
• Bend at waist – frequent
• Twist upper body – frequent
• Stoop – occasional
• Lift above waist height – frequent depending on machine center
• Lift over 50 lbs. – frequent depending on machine center
• Repetitive use of hands – constant
• Stand/walk – constant
• Sit – occasional
• Vision – near and far correctable; depth perception
• Hearing – preferred for awareness of surrounding machinery, mobile equipment, emergencies

Work Environment

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