Electronic Controls Specialist

This is a corporate-level role responsible for supporting, maintaining, troubleshooting, and improving Operational Technology and industrial control systems across multiple mill locations. This position provides hands-on support for PLCs, SCADA systems, Ignition applications, HMIs, industrial networks, robotics, data collection systems, historians, and other plant-floor technologies. This role will work closely with mill maintenance, operations, engineering, IT, equipment vendors, and system integrators to troubleshoot equipment and system issues, improve reliability, support automation systems, and help standardize OT technologies across the organization. 

Essential Functions:

• Troubleshoot and maintain PLC, HMI, SCADA, and Ignition applications.
• Program, troubleshoot, and support FANUC and ABB robotic systems, including robot programs, PLC interfaces, I/O, safety circuits, and production-related automation issues.
• Support troubleshooting of industrial machinery and automated equipment, including controls, instrumentation, sensors, drives, and related electrical components.
• Support development and maintain operator displays, dashboards, reports, alarms, historian applications, and production visualization tools.
• Assist with connecting PLCs and plant-floor equipment to SCADA, historian, and reporting systems.
• Troubleshoot industrial communication networks and protocols including EtherNet/IP, OPC UA, Modbus TCP, MQTT, DeviceNet, and ControlNet.
• Assist with control system upgrades, equipment commissioning, OEM integrations, and automation improvements.
• Work with OEMs and system integrators to troubleshoot issues and implement system improvements.
• Support configuration, maintenance, backup, and recovery of OT and control system applications.
• Develop and maintain OT system documentation, control system documentation, network diagrams, equipment inventories, and application documentation.
• Assist with standardizing controls, OT systems, naming conventions, documentation, and support practices across mill locations.
• Support OT cybersecurity and system reliability practices in coordination with OT and IT teams.
• Provide corporate OT and controls support to mill maintenance and operations teams.

Education and Experience:

Associate degree in Automation, Industrial Technology, Electrical Technology, Information Technology, Electronics, Engineering Technology, or a related technical field preferred; and at least 5 years of experience supporting industrial automation, controls, robotics, SCADA, manufacturing systems, or related OT technologies. 

Skills and Knowledge Areas:

• PLC-based automation and machine control systems, particularly Allen-Bradley/Rockwell ControlLogix.
• SCADA and industrial visualization platforms, with an emphasis on Ignition by Inductive Automation.
• HMI platforms including FactoryTalk View SE/ME or similar systems.
• Industrial robotics, including FANUC and ABB robot programming, troubleshooting, and PLC integration.
• Industrial control systems including sensors, instrumentation, VFDs, motor controls, safety circuits, and machine I/O.
• Industrial communication protocols including EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, MQTT, DeviceNet, and ControlNet.
• Industrial Ethernet networks and network troubleshooting.
• Industrial data collection and historian platforms including Ignition Historian, Canary Historian, AVEVA PI, or similar systems.
• SQL databases and basic database concepts.
• Windows-based industrial computers, servers, and virtual machines.
• OT system backup, recovery, configuration management, and documentation practices.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, drawings, network diagrams, and technical documentation.
• General understanding of manufacturing equipment, industrial processes, pneumatic systems, and hydraulic systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills with the ability to work across controls, networking, software, robotics, and plant operations.

What you bring to the team:

• Strong technical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on approach to supporting automation and production equipment.
• Ability to learn new industrial technologies and systems.
• Good organizational and documentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with maintenance, operations, engineering, IT, vendors, and system integrators.
• Good understanding of plant processes and manufacturing environments.
• Strong commitment to safety, system reliability, and quality.

Travel: 

This position is based out of the Hattiesburg office and includes day trips to our local mills to provide support as needed.

Additional Information: 

Hood Industries offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package including medical, employee assistance program, dental, vision, cancer, flexible spending account, life, 401k, and LTD, available first of the month following completion of one month of continuous full-time employment.  

Hood Industries requires that applicants consent to a background check and a drug screen to continue in the selection process. All employment offers are contingent on meeting our background check standards and successful passing of required drug test. If hired, you will be required to provide documentation indicating your legal right to work in the U.S.  

An Equal Opportunity Employer