Electrical and Controls Engineer

People Architects; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO

Paid holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with employer match

FSA options

Job summary

People Architects is recruiting an Electrical and Controls Engineer for a Cleveland-area specialty materials manufacturer. The role focuses on PLC/HMI/VFD programming, electrical systems support, and capital project execution in an operating chemical facility.

The ideal candidate has 0–3 years of experience and a strong foundation in industrial automation, safety standards, and electrical documentation. This is an on-site position with a collaborative, cross-functional team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related field.
• 0–3 years of relevant engineering experience; recent graduates welcome.

Responsibilities

• Develop, troubleshoot, and support PLCs, HMIs, and VFDs used in manufacturing operations.
• Support electrical power distribution, motor control centers, transformers, switchgear, and protection systems.
• Identify and resolve electrical and controls issues to minimize downtime and improve reliability.
• Create and maintain electrical drawings, schematics, and equipment specifications.
• Coordinate and oversee outside electrical contractors and align with safety standards.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

VFD configuration

Industrial networks

Power distribution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CAD schematics

Job description

People Architects is recruiting an Electrical and Controls Engineer on behalf of our client, a specialty materials manufacturer based in Cleveland, Ohio. The company specializes in chemical manufacturing, piloting, and research and development of customer formulations across diverse markets. Its capabilities include wet precipitation and solid-state chemical processing, ranging from laboratory-scale development and scale-up to specialty and bulk production.

Position Overview

The Electrical and Controls Engineer will support the design, operation, troubleshooting, and reliability of industrial control systems, automation equipment, and electrical infrastructure at a specialty materials and chemical manufacturing facility.

This hands‑on engineering role focuses on improving plant performance, minimizing production downtime, and supporting safe and efficient manufacturing operations. The position combines industrial automation, electrical systems support, project engineering, and collaboration with maintenance personnel and outside contractors.

The ideal candidate is an early‑career engineer with an interest in manufacturing automation, industrial controls, and solving technical challenges in an operating plant environment.

Responsibilities

• Industrial Controls & Automation: Develop, modify, troubleshoot, and support programmable logic controllers (PLCs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), and industrial communication networks used in manufacturing operations.
• Electrical Systems Support: Support the design, modification, and reliability of low- and medium-voltage electrical power distribution systems, motor control centers, transformers, switchgear, and associated protection systems.
• Manufacturing Troubleshooting: Work closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to identify and resolve electrical and controls issues, minimize equipment downtime, and improve plant reliability.
• Electrical Documentation: Develop and maintain electrical drawings, single‑line diagrams, panel layouts, schematics, equipment specifications, and technical documentation to reflect plant conditions and system modifications.
• Contractor Oversight: Coordinate and oversee outside electrical contractors performing installations, wiring, equipment maintenance, inspections, and electrical system upgrades. Work alongside plant electricians and maintenance personnel to ensure work is completed safely and correctly.
• Capital Projects & Equipment Upgrades: Support projects involving new equipment installations, automation improvements, electrical system upgrades, and integration of new manufacturing processes, including equipment specifications, project coordination, and commissioning.
• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance: Assist in developing and improving preventive and predictive maintenance programs for electrical and controls equipment, including testing, inspections, and condition monitoring.
• Electrical Safety & Compliance: Support compliance with applicable electrical codes, regulations, and safety standards, including NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA, and relevant IEEE standards. Identify electrical hazards, support safe work practices, and coordinate corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with process engineering, EHS, operations, maintenance, and R&D to support manufacturing improvements, process scale‑up, and equipment reliability.
• Process Data & System Improvements: Support the collection, analysis, and utilization of manufacturing equipment and process data to improve production quality, troubleshoot issues, and identify opportunities for operational improvements.
• Technical Documentation & Change Management: Maintain accurate equipment records, technical specifications, and change‑management documentation within established plant systems.
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline required.
• 0-3 years of relevant engineering experience. Open to recent graduates, including those with manufacturing internships or co‑op assignments. Experience in industrial manufacturing, automation, electrical systems, or process controls is strongly preferred.
• Foundational knowledge of industrial electrical systems, motor controls, power distribution, and electrical protection systems.
• Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP or Modbus through professional experience, internships, co‑op assignments, or academic projects.
• Understanding of industrial automation, instrumentation, and troubleshooting principles.
• Familiarity with applicable electrical and safety codes, including NEC, NFPA 70E, and OSHA standards.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and troubleshooting skills, with an interest in improving equipment reliability and manufacturing performance.
• Ability to coordinate with contractors, electricians, maintenance personnel, and cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability and willingness to work 100% onsite in an operating chemical manufacturing environment.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience in chemical manufacturing, specialty materials, or other industrial process manufacturing environments.
• Hands‑on exposure to PLC programming, HMI development, VFD configuration, and industrial automation systems.
• Familiarity with industrial electrical distribution, motor control centers, transformers, switchgear, and electrical instrumentation.
• Experience supporting equipment installations, troubleshooting, commissioning, or plant improvement projects.
• Background in hazardous area classification and design (Class I/II, Divisions/Zones), including selection of appropriate electrical equipment.
• Exposure to power quality analysis, arc flash studies, and electrical coordination studies.
• Familiarity with reliability tools and methodologies (RCM, FMEA) and CMMS/EAM systems for maintenance planning.
• 100% onsite position within a specialty materials and chemical manufacturing facility in Cleveland, Ohio.
• Regular time spent in operating production units, manufacturing areas, and utility facilities.
• Collaboration with plant electricians, maintenance personnel, engineering teams, and outside contractors.
• Ability to navigate stairs, platforms, and confined plant areas.
• Must wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow established electrical, chemical, and manufacturing safety procedures.

Our client offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee well‑being, professional growth, and financial security.

• Permissive Time Off (PTO) policy for full‑time exempt employees.
• Paid company holidays.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life insurance, AD&DD, and short- and long‑term disability coverage.
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with an immediate, fully vested company match.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA) options.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to maintaining a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. They value the unique experiences, perspectives, and contributions of employees and provide equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable laws.