Position Summary
The Lead Electrician is responsible for leading and performing electrical maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, installation, and improvement activities throughout a fast-paced scrap metal and recycling operation. This position plays a critical role in maintaining the safety, reliability, and uptime of production equipment and facility electrical systems.
The Lead Electrician will serve as a primary electrical resource for the organization, providing hands-on technical expertise while helping direct and develop other maintenance personnel. The ideal candidate is a strong industrial troubleshooter who is comfortable working around heavy equipment, conveyors, shredders, balers, shears, material handling systems, motors, drives, and other equipment commonly found in recycling and heavy industrial environments.
This position requires a willingness to travel to company locations throughout our operational footprint as needed to support electrical maintenance, troubleshooting, equipment installations, projects, and emergency repairs. Mileage for approved business travel will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
• Lead electrical troubleshooting, repair, installation, and preventive maintenance activities throughout the facility and, as needed, at other company locations within our operational footprint.
• Travel to other company facilities as needed to provide electrical troubleshooting, maintenance, project, installation, and technical support. Approved business mileage will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy.
• Diagnose electrical and controls-related failures on production and material handling equipment to minimize downtime and restore operations safely and efficiently.
• Troubleshoot and repair motors, motor controls, VFDs, starters, contactors, relays, sensors, switches, control circuits, transformers, disconnects, panels, and related electrical equipment.
• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment and industrial control systems, including identifying faults involving inputs, outputs, sensors, communications, and field devices.
• Perform electrical maintenance and troubleshooting on equipment such as conveyors, shredders, balers, shears, compactors, sorting systems, magnets, material handling equipment, and hydraulic systems with electrical controls.
• Install and maintain conduit, wiring, panels, disconnects, lighting, power distribution systems, and other facility electrical infrastructure.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder diagrams, equipment manuals, blueprints, and technical documentation.
• Lead electrical preventive and predictive maintenance activities designed to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Apply NFPA 70B, Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, when developing and performing electrical preventive and predictive maintenance activities.
• Use thermal imaging cameras as part of electrical inspections and predictive maintenance to identify abnormal heating, loose connections, overloaded components, and other potential electrical issues.
• Perform electrical troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair on systems generally rated 480 volts and below. Maintain a working knowledge of higher-voltage systems and coordinate with qualified servicing contractors for preventive maintenance and service of equipment and systems up to 4,160 volts.
• Identify recurring electrical failures and recommend permanent corrective actions rather than relying solely on temporary repairs.
• Assist with equipment upgrades, new equipment installations, facility improvements, and capital projects.
• Coordinate electrical work with Maintenance, Operations, Engineering, contractors, and equipment vendors.
• Provide technical direction, training, and support to electricians and other maintenance personnel.
• Help establish electrical troubleshooting and maintenance standards and ensure work is completed safely and correctly.
• Maintain accurate records of repairs, inspections, preventive maintenance activities, and equipment modifications.
• Assist in maintaining an appropriate inventory of critical electrical spare parts and components.
• Respond to equipment breakdowns and production emergencies with a strong sense of urgency while maintaining safe work practices.
• Maintain clean, organized, and safe electrical panels, work areas, electrical rooms, and maintenance spaces.
Safety Responsibilities
Safety is a primary responsibility of the Lead Electrician. This position is expected to demonstrate and reinforce safe electrical and industrial maintenance practices at all times.
Responsibilities include:
• Follow and enforce company safety policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with applicable OSHA, NFPA 70E electrical safety requirements, National Electrical Code (NEC), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and other applicable electrical safety requirements.
• Properly identify, isolate, and verify hazardous energy before performing maintenance or repair work.
• Use appropriate PPE and electrical testing equipment based on the task and potential hazards.
• Identify unsafe electrical conditions and take appropriate action to correct or secure them.
• Promote a safety-first culture among maintenance and operations employees.
• Participate in safety meetings, inspections, incident investigations, and corrective actions as needed.
Qualifications Required
• Minimum 5 years of industrial electrical maintenance experience, preferably in recycling, scrap metal, manufacturing, steel, aggregate, mining, heavy equipment, or another heavy industrial environment.
• Strong electrical troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.
• Demonstrated experience with industrial motors, controls, VFDs, motor starters, control circuits, sensors, and power distribution systems.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot from electrical schematics and ladder diagrams.
• Working knowledge of PLC-controlled industrial equipment.
• Strong understanding of Lockout/Tagout and industrial electrical safety practices.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions during equipment breakdowns and high-pressure situations.
• Strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Ability to safely use electrical meters, testing equipment, hand tools, and power tools.
• Knowledge and practical application of NFPA 70B electrical equipment maintenance standards, with a clear understanding of the distinction between NFPA 70B maintenance requirements and NFPA 70E electrical safety requirements.
• Experience using thermal imaging cameras for electrical inspection, troubleshooting, and predictive maintenance.
• Demonstrated ability to safely troubleshoot, maintain, and repair electrical systems generally rated 480 volts and below, along with a working knowledge of higher-voltage systems and the ability to coordinate qualified contractors for preventive maintenance and service up to 4,160 volts.
• Willingness to work in a heavy industrial environment that may include dust, dirt, noise, vibration, outdoor conditions, temperature extremes, and uneven surfaces.
• Willingness and ability to travel to company locations throughout our operational footprint as business needs require. Approved business mileage will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel between company locations as required.
Preferred
• Journeyman Electrician license or equivalent electrical certification.
• NFPA 70E training or certification.
• PLC troubleshooting experience, particularly with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation or similar industrial control platforms.
• Experience with industrial Ethernet and equipment communication networks.
• Experience or working knowledge of medium-voltage equipment and industrial power distribution systems, including systems up to 4,160 volts and contractor coordination for specialized preventive maintenance and service.
• Previous lead, supervisory, or mentoring experience within an industrial maintenance department.
• Experience in scrap metal processing, recycling, steel production, aggregate, mining, or similar heavy industrial operations.
Leadership Expectations
The Lead Electrician is expected to be more than the facility's most experienced electrician. This individual should serve as a technical leader and problem solver within the Maintenance Department and provide expertise across company locations when needed.
The successful candidate will:
• Lead by example in safety, quality, attendance, and work ethic.
• Provide guidance and technical support to less-experienced maintenance employees.
• Maintain composure and make sound decisions during critical equipment failures.
• Take ownership of electrical problems from initial diagnosis through permanent resolution.
• Look beyond immediate repairs to identify opportunities for improved reliability and equipment performance.
• Communicate effectively with Maintenance and Operations leadership regarding equipment condition, downtime, repair status, and recommended improvements.
• Help develop the electrical troubleshooting capabilities of the overall maintenance team.
• Share electrical knowledge, troubleshooting practices, and maintenance standards across company facilities.
Physical and Work Environment Requirements
• Ability to stand, walk, climb, bend, kneel, and work around industrial equipment for extended periods.
• Ability to climb ladders and access elevated equipment when required.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather and temperature conditions.
• Ability to work in areas containing dust, noise, vibration, grease, and other conditions associated with scrap processing and heavy industrial operations.
• Ability to safely lift and handle tools, parts, and equipment associated with electrical maintenance.
• Must be comfortable working around mobile heavy equipment and active production operations.
• Ability to travel by vehicle between company facilities and work at different company locations as operational needs require.
Schedule, Travel, and Availability
The Lead Electrician must be willing to work the schedule necessary to support facility and company-wide operations. This may include overtime, weekends, shutdowns, and occasional emergency call-ins depending on production and maintenance requirements.
The position also requires travel to company locations throughout our operational footprint as needed. Travel may be required for equipment breakdowns, electrical troubleshooting, installations, preventive maintenance, facility projects, shutdowns, and other operational needs. Approved business mileage associated with travel between company locations will be reimbursed in accordance with company policy
