Industrial Electrician | PLC, VFD & 480V Maintenance | Chicago, IL

Industrial Electrician

📍 Location: Chicago, IL (Onsite)
🏭 Industry: Manufacturing / Food Production
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time (4 Openings)
⏰ Shift: Must be flexible to work 2nd or 3rd Shift
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Not Available
💰 Compensation: $43.69/hour ($85,000 – $90,668 annually) + Union Benefits

Overview

A leading food manufacturing organization is seeking Industrial Electricians to support operations at a high-volume bakery manufacturing facility in Chicago.

This role is responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing industrial electrical systems and production equipment to maximize uptime, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives while working in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Maintenance

• Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair industrial electrical equipment.

• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on manufacturing equipment.

• Diagnose and resolve electrical faults to minimize production downtime.

• Maintain plant electrical infrastructure supporting continuous operations.

Equipment Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot production equipment, PLCs, VFDs, motors, and electrical systems.

• Read and interpret electrical blueprints, wiring diagrams, and schematics.

• Identify root causes of equipment failures and implement corrective actions.

• Support equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

Production Support

• Execute Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Preventive Maintenance (PM) activities.

• Respond quickly to production breakdowns.

• Identify and report equipment losses and improvement opportunities.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.

Safety & Quality

• Follow all electrical safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).

• Adhere to Arc Flash and electrical safety standards.

• Ensure compliance with quality and food manufacturing requirements.

• Maintain a safe and organized work environment.

Required Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or GED required.

• Associate Degree or certification in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering preferred.

Experience

✔ 7+ years of industrial electrical maintenance experience.

✔ Experience maintaining electrical systems within a manufacturing environment.

✔ Experience troubleshooting complex industrial production equipment.

Technical Requirements

Electrical Systems

• 480V Industrial Electrical Systems

• Electrical Troubleshooting

• Industrial Motors & Controls

• Electrical Preventive Maintenance

Automation

• PLC Troubleshooting

• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

• Industrial Control Systems

Drawings & Documentation

• Electrical Blueprints

• Wiring Diagrams

• Technical Schematics

Safety

• Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

• Arc Flash Safety

• Industrial Safety Procedures

Preferred Qualifications

• PLC programming and logic modification experience.

• Experience working within food manufacturing or bakery operations.

• Knowledge of industrial automation systems.

• Strong understanding of production reliability and preventive maintenance.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced industrial electrician who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys solving complex electrical and automation issues.

They will possess:

• Strong industrial troubleshooting skills.

• Hands-on experience with 480V systems, PLCs, and VFDs.

• Excellent schematic reading and diagnostic abilities.

• Strong commitment to safety and quality.

• Ability to work collaboratively across production and maintenance teams.

• Flexibility to support 2nd or 3rd shift operations.

Candidate Snapshot

Requirement

Details

Experience

7+ Years Industrial Electrical Maintenance

Electrical Systems

480V Industrial Power

Automation

PLC & VFD Troubleshooting

Drawings

Electrical Schematics & Blueprints

Safety

LOTO & Arc Flash

Industry

Manufacturing / Food Production

Shift

2nd or 3rd Shift

Location

Chicago, IL

Openings

4

Compensation

$43.69/hour ($85K–$90.7K annually)

Relocation

None

Screening Questions

1. Do you have at least seven years of industrial electrical maintenance experience?

2. Do you have hands-on experience working with 480V electrical systems?

3. Have you professionally troubleshot and maintained PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment?

4. Do you have experience working with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)?

5. Are you able to read and interpret electrical schematics and blueprints?

6. Do you have experience working within a manufacturing or food production environment?

7. Are you familiar with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Arc Flash safety procedures?

8. Have you performed preventive and predictive electrical maintenance on production equipment?

9. Are you willing to work 2nd or 3rd shift on a full-time basis?

10. When would you be available to start?

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

• Strong troubleshooting skills that minimize production downtime.

• Extensive experience with industrial electrical systems, PLCs, and VFDs.

• Ability to quickly diagnose and resolve complex equipment failures.

• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

• Strong communication and teamwork in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Ability to proactively identify equipment issues before they impact production.

• Dependability and flexibility to support critical production operations across multiple shifts.

Senior Electrical & Controls Engineer – PLC, Automation, Capital Projects | Hybrid USA (Travel Required)

Senior Electrical & Controls Engineer

📍 Location: Multiple U.S. Locations (must be near a manufacturing site)
🏠 Work Model: Hybrid (flexibility when not traveling)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🎓 Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering required
📈 Experience Level: Mid-Senior
🕒 Experience Required: 5–7+ years
✈️ Travel: 50–75% (North America)
🌎 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Possible

Role Overview

We are seeking a Senior Electrical & Controls Engineer to lead and support capital projects across multiple manufacturing facilities.

This role is responsible for delivering end-to-end electrical and control systems engineering, from concept and design through installation, commissioning, and handover. You will play a key role in executing large-scale industrial projects and ensuring systems are safe, efficient, and aligned with operational goals.

Key Responsibilities

Capital Project Delivery

• Lead electrical and controls engineering for capital projects ($1M–$15M range)

• Develop:

• Scope documents

• Engineering designs and calculations

• Cost estimates and schedules

• Technical specifications

• Manage projects from concept through execution, commissioning, and handover

Electrical & Controls Engineering

• Design and implement:

• Power distribution systems

• Control systems and automation solutions

• Specify and source equipment such as:

• Switchgear, transformers, MCCs

• Drives, PLCs, HMIs, relays, circuit breakers

• Perform electrical system analysis and calculations

• Ensure compliance with industry standards and safety requirements

Project & Contractor Management

• Lead and coordinate:

• External engineering consultants

• Vendors and suppliers

• Installation contractors

• Manage procurement lifecycle from RFQs to installation and warranty support

• Oversee commissioning, startup, and training for plant teams

• Manage change control (MOC) processes

Safety & Compliance

• Apply and promote NFPA 70E electrical safety standards

• Lead safety initiatives related to electrical and control systems

• Ensure all systems meet required regulatory and operational standards

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with:

• Operations

• Maintenance

• Engineering teams

• Procurement and project management

• Provide subject matter expertise (SME) on electrical and controls systems

• Support both plant-level projects and enterprise initiatives

Project Ownership (Controls-Focused Projects)

• Take full ownership of smaller projects (typically <$5M)

• Act as Electrical & Controls Lead on larger initiatives

• Manage:

• Budgets and forecasts

• Schedules and deliverables

• Stakeholder communication

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

• 5+ years of experience in controls/electrical engineering within manufacturing

• Strong experience with:

• Control systems and automation technologies

• Electrical system design

• Hands-on expertise with:

• Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs (including programming)

• Proficiency in AutoCAD

• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects ($500K–$2M+)

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with:

• 480V and 4160V power distribution systems

• MCCs, switchgear, and industrial power systems

• Background in continuous and/or discrete manufacturing environments

• Experience managing multi-site or large-scale industrial projects

Key Competencies

• Strong project management and execution skills

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

• Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams

• High level of initiative and ownership

• Strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong experience delivering electrical and controls projects in manufacturing environments

• Be comfortable acting as both:

• Technical expert (E&C lead)

• Project owner (for smaller projects)

• Thrive in a hands-on, plant-facing role

• Be capable of managing complex, multi-site capital projects

• Be open to frequent travel (50–75%)

Screening Questions

• Do you hold a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering?

• Do you have project engineering or project management experience?

• Are you open to travel (40–60%+)?

Additional Information

• This role supports a high volume of active and upcoming capital projects

• Acts as a critical technical resource across multiple manufacturing facilities

• Opportunity to lead impactful projects driving operational performance and growth

Electrical Engineer | Industrial Power & Control Systems | Alcoa, TN

Position: Electrical Engineer

Location: Alcoa, Tennessee, United States
Travel: Not specified
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $80,000 - $105,000

About the Role

Our client is seeking an Electrical Engineer to join their Tennessee Operations facility. This role will focus on providing engineering support for maintenance and operations. The successful candidate will assist in safety, restoring product flow, solving recurring design and process issues, and driving improvements in equipment and process data analysis. The engineer will also oversee the implementation of capital projects, major repairs, and maintenance projects, as well as provide process engineering support as needed.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for operations and maintenance, focusing on safety and product flow.

• Analyze equipment and process data to identify areas for improvement and implement solutions.

• Manage, develop, and implement capital projects, maintenance projects, and repairs.

• Develop and design electrical systems for industrial equipment, including transformers, switchgear, transmission lines, and sub-stations.

• Troubleshoot and maintain industrial electrical power and control systems and equipment.

• Collaborate with other engineers and technicians to implement engineering solutions and improvements.

• Oversee the activities of craft personnel, ensuring safe work practices and compliance with safety standards.

• Manage external vendors providing electrical design and support functions.

• Lead and manage electrical projects, from design through installation and commissioning.

• Contribute to continuous improvement efforts in manufacturing operations using lean manufacturing principles.

What We’re Looking For

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution.

• At least 3 years of experience in electrical engineering, preferably in a manufacturing environment.

• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes and principles.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience in electrical systems and manufacturing processes.

• Experience with high-voltage electrical equipment, design, application specifications, maintenance, and failure analysis.

• Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar CAD software.

• Strong background in electrical engineering, including industrial power and control systems, transformers, switchgear, and substations.

• Experience with capital project estimation, justification, management, and installation.

• Familiarity with electrical engineering safety standards, codes, and industry specifications.

• Knowledge of world-class manufacturing techniques such as Lean, JIT, SPC, and TQM.

• Strong problem-solving, creative thinking, and communication skills.

• Experience managing and executing electrical projects, including design, installation, and commissioning.

Compensation

• Base Salary Range: Not disclosed

This is a great opportunity to contribute to a modern and innovative manufacturing facility, where you'll play a key role in advancing operational efficiency and engineering practices.