PLC / Controls Superintendent

Hampton Lumber • Fairfax, SC

1d

About The Position

The PLC/Controls Superintendent is responsible for the reliability, performance, and continuous improvement of all automation, control systems, and industrial networks across the mill. This role leads commissioning of automation equipment during construction and start-up, ensures system safety and uptime, and serves as the site expert for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and network infrastructure. This position is hands-on and highly collaborative, working with OEMs, integrators, maintenance, production, and corporate engineering to ensure smooth ramp-up and long-term operational excellence.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or PLC/HMI programming.
• Experience in high-speed manufacturing, lumber, sawmill, paper, or similar heavy industrial environment.
• Proficiency with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix) and Studio 5000.
• Strong knowledge of VFDs, servo drives, safety PLCs, and motor controls.
• Understanding of Ethernet/IP, managed switches, VLANs, fiber, and industrial networking.
• Experience supervising or mentoring automation staff or electricians.
• Ability to read/interpret electrical schematics, one-lines, P&IDs, and network drawings.
• Strong troubleshooting skills under pressure in a production environment.
• High commitment to safety and reliability.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechatronics, or related field.
• Experience with: Siemens PLCs
• Wonderware or Ignition SCADA
• Optimized scanning systems (USNR, BID Group, Comact, etc.)
• Motion control systems
• Profibus/ProfiNet and Modbus
• Experience in greenfield/start-up environments.
• Cybersecurity knowledge for OT networks (firewalls, patching, segmentation).

Responsibilities

• Start-Up / Construction Phase Lead controls commissioning activities with OEMs and system integrators.
• Review and validate PLC code, HMI screens, and network architecture.
• Verify I/O checkout, safety circuits, emergency stops, and interlocks.
• Assist with factory acceptance tests (FAT) and site acceptance tests (SAT).
• Ensure Ethernet/IP, ProfiNet, Modbus, fiber, and wireless networks are correctly installed and documented.
• Participate in redline drawing corrections and as-built documentation development.
• Establish controls standards, file saving conventions, and backup procedures.
• Operational Responsibilities Monitor and optimize performance of controls for machine centers.
• Troubleshoot PLCs, VFDs, servo systems, industrial networks, and optimization scanners.
• Maintain PLC/HMI programs (Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens, Wonderware, etc.).
• Perform network diagnostics, latency analysis, addressing, and switch management.
• Collaborate with production leadership to improve throughput, quality, and uptime.
• Implement improvements to reduce downtime and enhance reliability.
• Maintain backups, revision control, and change management for all control systems.
• Manage PLC/HMI licensing, updates, firmware revisions, and cybersecurity patches.
• Guide lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures related to controls systems.
• Reliability & Preventive Maintenance Develop and oversee a preventive maintenance program for controls equipment.
• Perform periodic checks on scanners, encoders, sensors, photo eyes, VFD cooling, and network gear.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) for automation-related failures.
• Implement predictive technologies (thermal imaging, network monitoring, vibration sensors on servo drives, etc.).
• Maintain detailed documentation, one-lines, I/O maps, and equipment manuals.
• Leadership & Administration Establish mill standards for PLC programming, naming conventions, tagging, labeling, and network structure.
• Train electricians, technicians, and operators on control system basics and troubleshooting.
• Plan and manage controls-related projects, upgrades, and shutdown activities.
• Mentor controls team members.
• Manage vendor and contractor relationships for controls-related work.
• Maintain budget awareness for controls equipment, spare parts, and software licenses.

Benefits

• Substantial company-paid assistance for Medical and Dental insurance premiums; mental health coverage; cost effective co-pays and deductibles
• 401(k) with 5% annual company contribution and generous company matching contributions vested over three years
• Paid time off, including eight paid holidays
• Participation in the employee bonus program
• Employee wellness program that includes free counseling sessions, financial and legal guidance, and more
• Opportunities for paid training to support career advancement and personal development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level