Controls Specialist

We're looking for a hands-on, technically minded Controls Specialist who enjoys troubleshooting automation systems, improving equipment reliability, and working with teams to keep production running safely and efficiently.

💼 What You'll Do

As our Controls Specialist, you'll report directly to the Director of Operations and help keep automation and controls systems running reliably at our St. Thomas facility. Working closely with maintenance, production, engineering, quality, and equipment vendors, you'll troubleshoot equipment issues, support PLC and HMI programming, and improve performance across our lumber sorting, CLT, and glulam production lines. This full-time, permanent opportunity is ideal for someone who enjoys hands-on problem-solving, technical collaboration, and continuous improvement in a highly automated manufacturing environment. From resolving breakdowns to supporting equipment commissioning, upgrades, and employee training, you'll help reduce downtime, strengthen equipment reliability, and keep production running safely and efficiently.

✅ What You Bring

• Post-secondary education in electrical engineering technology, controls engineering, automation, mechatronics, industrial maintenance, instrumentation, or a related technical field is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, trade certification, technical training, and relevant experience may be considered.
• At least two years of experience in industrial controls, automation, PLCs, HMIs, electrical troubleshooting, or automated equipment support in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong working knowledge of PLC and HMI programming, control system diagnostics, and automated production equipment. Siemens controls experience is strongly preferred.
• Practical experience troubleshooting sensors, scanners, drives, servos, industrial networks, safety circuits, conveyors, presses, and integrated machine controls.
• The ability to read, interpret, and update electrical drawings, schematics, control diagrams, and technical documentation.
• An understanding of preventive maintenance, equipment reliability, root cause analysis, commissioning, and continuous improvement.
• Knowledge of industrial safe work practices, including lockout/tagout, electrical safety, machine guarding, and hazard identification.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize urgent production needs.
• A collaborative approach and the ability to explain technical information clearly, support employee training, and work with maintenance, production, engineering, quality, and external vendors.
• Availability for on-site work in St. Thomas, with flexibility to respond to equipment issues outside regular business hours.
• An electrical licence or related trade certification, familiarity with AutoCAD Electrical, proficiency with Microsoft 365, and experience with maintenance systems or wood-products manufacturing are considered assets..

🌟 Why You'll Love This Role

You’ll help keep automation and controls systems running reliably at our St. Thomas facility. Working closely with maintenance, production, engineering, quality, and equipment vendors, you’ll troubleshoot technical issues, improve equipment performance, and support safe, efficient operations across our lumber sorting, CLT, and glulam production lines. This hands-on role combines production-floor troubleshooting with PLC and HMI programming, equipment commissioning, and continuous improvement projects. You’ll identify the causes of recurring downtime, support system upgrades, maintain accurate technical documentation, and share your knowledge with maintenance and production teams to strengthen equipment reliability. We’re looking for someone who is technically minded, collaborative, and takes pride in finding practical, lasting solutions. If you enjoy solving complex problems, working with automated equipment, and helping teams keep production moving safely and efficiently, we’d love to hear from you.