Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer

Meridia Recruitment Solutions, a Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette Company; Port Hawkesbury; On-site; CAD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Port Hawkesbury Paper in Port Hawkesbury, NS, seeks an Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer to join a large-scale, continuously running manufacturing facility. You will support operations and maintenance teams, troubleshoot electrical and automation systems, and contribute to reliability and modernization initiatives.

The role involves collaboration with operators, electricians, instrumentation technicians, and maintenance personnel, with opportunities to influence upgrades and capital projects

Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical or Instrumentation Engineering or related discipline.
• Electrical/Instrumentation background with exposure to industrial environments.
• EIT or P.Eng. designation is an asset but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provide electrical and instrumentation engineering support to Operations and Maintenance teams.
• Troubleshoot electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation issues.
• Support PLC, VFD, instrumentation, control, and process automation systems.
• Collaborate with operators, electricians, instrumentation technicians, and maintenance personnel.
• Identify obsolescence risks and support upgrade initiatives.
• Develop solutions to improve reliability, performance, and efficiency.
• Assist with project planning, equipment upgrades, and system improvements.
• Participate in on-call rotation and after-hours support.

Skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Ownership & initiative

Education

Electrical/Instrumentation Engineering degree

EIT or P.Eng. asset

Tools

PLC

VFD

Industrial controls

Process automation systems

Job description

Job Title: Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer

Location: Port Hawkesbury, NS

TP - AML - 9889

Port Hawkesbury Paper is Cape Breton's largest industrial employer and a leading manufacturer of paper products distributed across North America. Operating a large-scale, continuously running manufacturing facility, the company relies on a wide range of electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation systems to support safe, efficient, and reliable production. Its operation combines modern automation technologies with established industrial equipment, creating an environment where engineers are involved in everything from day-to-day troubleshooting and reliability improvements to equipment modernization and capital projects.

Meridia Recruitment Solutions has partnered with Port Hawkesbury Paper to recruit an Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer to join their team in Port Hawkesbury, Nova Scotia.

This is an opportunity to work closely with operations and maintenance teams in a highly integrated manufacturing environment, supporting critical production assets while contributing to system upgrades, process improvements, and long-term reliability initiatives.

Role Description

The Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer is a key technical resource within the Paper Machine Department, providing engineering support to Operations and Maintenance teams. Working closely with operators, electricians, instrumentation technicians, and maintenance personnel, you will troubleshoot electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation systems while supporting the safe and reliable operation of critical production equipment. The successful candidate will help address equipment obsolescence, improve system performance, and support the ongoing evolution of a complex manufacturing operation.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Provide electrical and instrumentation engineering support to Operations and Maintenance teams.
• Participate in daily operations and maintenance meetings to support production and reliability objectives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, reliability, and operational performance
• Troubleshoot electrical, instrumentation, controls, and automation issues affecting equipment performance.
• Support PLC, VFD, instrumentation, control, and process automation systems.
• Collaborate with operators, electricians, instrumentation technicians, and maintenance personnel to resolve technical issues.
• Identify equipment obsolescence risks and support upgrade and modernization initiatives.
• Develop and implement solutions that improve reliability, performance, and operational efficiency.
• Support capital and maintenance projects as a technical lead or subject matter expert.
• Assist with project planning, equipment upgrades, and system improvement initiatives.
• Work with vendors, contractors, and external engineering resources on electrical and instrumentation projects.
• Participate in an on-call rotation and provide occasional after-hours support as required.

Your Qualifications

You are a hands-on engineering professional who enjoys solving technical problems, working closely with operations teams, and building practical solutions in an industrial environment. You are proactive, collaborative, and motivated to continuously develop your technical expertise. Recent graduates through to candidates with several years of relevant industrial experience are encouraged to apply.

Recent graduates through to candidates with several years of relevant industrial experience are encouraged to apply.

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related discipline; Electrical Engineering Technology qualifications may also be considered.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation is an asset but not required.
• Commitment to workplace safety and continuous improvement.
• Exposure to industrial electrical systems, instrumentation, controls, automation, or manufacturing environments is preferred.
• Understanding of PLCs, VFDs, industrial controls, and process automation systems.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship‑building abilities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with operations, maintenance, and technical teams.
• Self-motivated and curious, with a strong desire to learn, take initiative, and assume ownership of projects and challenges.

Why Join Port Hawkesbury Paper?

Port Hawkesbury Paper offers a unique opportunity to work within one of Atlantic Canada's most technically advanced industrial operations. Engineers gain exposure to complex electrical, instrumentation, controls, automation, reliability, and capital improvement initiatives while working alongside experienced operations and maintenance teams.

Port Hawkesbury Paper offers:

• Exposure to large-scale, highly automated industrial equipment and systems
• Opportunities to work with electrical, instrumentation, controls, automation, and reliability initiatives
• Hands-on involvement in modernization and equipment upgrade projects
• Significant learning and professional development opportunities
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits
• Extended health and disability coverage
• Pension plan with a 5% employer contribution/matching program
• A strong commitment to safety, innovation, and continuous improvement