Electrical/Controls Engineer (Athol)

POSITION SUMMARY

The Electrical/Controls Engineer is an intermediate-level role responsible for independently designing, programming, commissioning, and the continuous improvement of complete control systems for New Product Development initiatives at IFG in the industrial automated manufacturing space. This role requires both strong engineering capability and hands-on field experience.

At this level, the engineer is expected to demonstrate increased technical depth, problem-solving capability, and ownership of assigned scopes of work. Skills include advanced knowledge of Rockwell Automation Software and hardware, programming ladder logic, function blocks, structured text and sequential controls, as well as the knowledge to design and support electrical control systems, low & medium electrical systems & PDC’s and the ability to evaluate cost, schedule, and risk impacts. The engineer should be capable of working with minimal supervision and providing technical guidance to technicians and entry-level engineers.

The ideal candidate has experience supporting both new system implementation and existing plant operations and is comfortable working across the full project lifecycle—from control philosophy development and hardware design through startup, tuning, and plant support.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Support New Product Development initiatives as a solid contributor, leading the detailed design of the Control System
• 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 (PDC’s)
• 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

 REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 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 distance, and climb stairs.

• Bend at waist – occasional
• Twist upper body – occasional
• Stoop - occasional
• Repetitive use of hands – frequent for clerical duties
• Stand/walk
• Sit/desk - frequent
• 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).

Idaho Forest Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of race/ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, family medical history, or any other status protected by law.