RDO Equipment Co.

Automation & Electrical Controls Supervisor

RDO Equipment Co. • $80K — $95K *
Idaho Falls, ID 83401In-Person
Manufacturing & Automotive
5 - 7 years of experience
Today
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Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Associate degree with 5 years of relevant experience, or Journeyman Electrician License with 5-10 years of experience.
  • Over 5 years of experience in PLC programming and controls integration, with a preference for Rockwell Automation.
  • Proficient in instrumentation and open to exploring new technologies.
  • Strong communication skills to convey complex information clearly to various stakeholders.
  • Analytical and problem-solving abilities with a capacity to prioritize multiple projects effectively.
  • Team-oriented with a flexible approach to changing responsibilities.

Responsibilities

  • Develop and enforce OT standards across all plants to ensure security and supportability.
  • Coordinate disaster recovery plans and validate backups through regular testing.
  • Establish HMI/SCADA standards to enhance operator efficiency and reduce training time.
  • Diagnose and repair complex automation failures to minimize production downtime.
  • Design and implement new PLC architectures, ensuring structured and modular coding practices.
  • Act as a liaison among engineering, IT, operations, maintenance, and contractors during installations or troubleshooting.
  • Lead equipment commissioning to meet design specifications and ensure proper operator training.

Benefits

  • Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
  • A positive work environment that encourages teamwork and collaboration.
  • Engagement initiatives to reduce turnover and recognize employee contributions.
  • Flexibility in work hours, including the possibility of overtime and varied schedules.
Full Job Description
Main Responsibilities

  • Develop and enforce company-wide OT standards for PLC, HMI, SCADA, and industrial network architecture, ensuring all plants follow uniform, supportable, and secure system designs. This includes writing programming standards, template structures, and change-management procedures.
  • Coordinate and execute disaster recovery plans, performing regular validation tests to ensure system backups and failover mechanisms work during real incidents.
  • Develop and maintain HMI/SCADA standards, including color conventions, alarm management, graphical symbols, navigation workflow, and historian tag standards, to improve operator effectiveness and reduce training time.
  • Diagnose and repair complex automation failures, including PLC logic issues, I/O card failures, broken communication networks, failed sensors, and motor control problems, ensuring minimal production downtime.
  • Design and implement new PLC or control system architectures, including writing structured, modular code for new processes, modifying existing logic, and adhering to version control practices.
  • Install, configure, and tune motor control systems, including AC/DC variable-frequency drives, soft starters, and servo systems, ensuring equipment operates safely within design limits.
  • Act as the primary technical liaison between engineering, IT, operations, maintenance, and external contractors during equipment installation, controls integration, or system troubleshooting.
  • Lead equipment commissioning and start-up, ensuring automation systems meet functional design specifications and operators receive proper training before handoff.
  • Serve as the escalation point for complex electrical or control system failures, leading rapid troubleshooting efforts and coordinating cross-department responses when downtime occurs.
  • Provide proactive communication to operations and plant leadership regarding system changes, risk areas, upcoming maintenance windows, and potential impacts to production.
  • Participate in after-hours on-call rotation, responding to network outages, PLC faults, and critical equipment alarms to protect product quality and continuous operation.
  • Foster a positive and productive work environment, encouraging teamwork and professional development. Conduct performance evaluations for team members, providing constructive feedback and setting goals for improvements. Address performance issues and disciplinary matters in accordance with company policies and procedures. Maintain documentation of employee development or disciplinary actions.
  • Actively manage employees, which includes, but is not limited to communicating job expectations, addressing performance concerns, managing attendance, issuing disciplinary actions when needed, investigating, and resolving employee issues, reducing turnover through employee engagement, and recognizing employees.
  • Follows and enforces all GMP, safety, and plant rules.


Qualifications/Required Skills

  • Education and/or Experience: Bachelor's degree in Engineering OR Associate (2-year) degree in a technical field with a minimum of 5 years of relevant manufacturing, electrical, or automation experience, OR Journeyman Electrician License with 5-10 years of relevant experience.
  • Five or more years of experience with PLC programming, automation systems, and controls integration; Rockwell Automation experience preferred.
  • Be competent in instrumentation for installation and innovation in trialing new technologies.
  • Language Skills: Ability to read, comprehend, and compose instructions, correspondence, and memos. Exhibits effective speaking and written communication skills. Ability to conduct professional and compelling presentations and respond to questions from groups of equipment operators, managers, and senior executives within the Company. Effectively organizes and facilitates meetings.
  • Reasoning Ability: Possesses strong analytical, quantitative, communication, problem solving, and technical skills. Can creatively apply experience, common sense, and a strategic and economical business perspective to a variety of situations, processes, and people. Demonstrates the self-confidence and maturity to make decisions and solve problems with minimal direction. Organized and able to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Interpersonal Skills: Team player, flexible and accepts changing assignments and accountabilities.


Other Details

  • Work Environment: The work environment is a traditional office. Individual must be capable of carrying up to 35 lbs. on occasion. Must be flexible to occasionally work overtime during the week, weekends, and holidays. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


Alignment with Core Values of the Company

  • Respect & Value Our People
  • Stay in Front of Change While Reducing Costs
  • Delight Our Customers
  • Food Quality & Safety


About RDO Equipment Co.

RDO Equipment Co. is a family-owned company founded in 1968 that sells and supports agriculture, construction, environmental, irrigation, positioning, and surveying equipment from manufacturers including John Deere, Vermeer, and Topcon. The company has more than 75 locations across the United States, Europe, and Russia. RDO Equipment Co. also offers equipment rental, parts, and service, and has a division that specializes in pre-owned equipment. The company is committed to sustainability and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including using solar power at some of its locations.
Learn more about RDO Equipment Co.
Size
5,200 employees
Industry
Manufacturing & Automotive
Net Income
$50 million
5 Year Trend
+5%
Revenue
$2.3 billion
NASDAQ
RDO
* Ladders Estimates

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