Electrical Controls Specialist

Airswift; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

401(k) with company match

Medical, dental, vision, and life insu

Job summary

Airswift partners with a growing industrial manufacturing organization to hire an Electrical Controls Specialist in Petersburg, VA. This hands-on role focuses on supporting and improving plant control systems, instrumentation, and automation equipment, collaborating with operations, maintenance, and engineering to drive reliability.

You will troubleshoot PLCs/HMIs/DCS, support commissioning and upgrades, calibrate field devices, and contribute to plant reliability, process safety, and capital

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in electrical controls, automation, instrumentation, or industrial maintenance.
• Experience in manufacturing environments such as chemical processing, utilities, or related industries.
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of industrial electrical systems and safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and maintain PLCs, HMIs, DCS systems, instrumentation, and control networks.
• Support commissioning, startup, maintenance, and automation upgrades.
• Provide technical support to operations, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Configure, calibrate, and maintain instrumentation and field devices.
• Support plant reliability, process safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors on controls-related projects.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and compliance records.
• Assist with modernization and capital improvement projects.

Skills

PLCs & HMIs

VFDs & instrumentation

Troubleshooting

Industrial safety standards

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Automation/Instrumentation degree

Tools

Control systems hardware

Industrial communication protocols

Job description

We are partnering with a growing industrial manufacturing organization focused on operational excellence, plant reliability, automation, and continuous improvement. The company operates multiple production facilities and is investing in modernizing systems, improving asset performance, and strengthening technical capabilities across its operations.

About the Role

The Electrical Controls Specialist is a hands-on technical role responsible for supporting and improving plant control systems, instrumentation, and automation equipment. This position works closely with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams to troubleshoot issues, support upgrades, and drive reliability improvements in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Location

• Petersburg, VA
• Fully onsite position
• Limited travel to support additional manufacturing facilities

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and maintain PLCs, HMIs, DCS systems, instrumentation, and control networks.
• Support commissioning, startup, maintenance, and automation upgrades.
• Provide technical support to operations, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Configure, calibrate, and maintain instrumentation and field devices.
• Support plant reliability, process safety, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate with contractors and vendors on controls-related projects.
• Maintain accurate technical documentation and compliance records.
• Assist with modernization and capital improvement projects.

Qualifications

Required

• 8+ years of experience in electrical controls, automation, instrumentation, or industrial maintenance.
• Experience in manufacturing, chemical processing, utilities, or other industrial environments.
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of industrial electrical systems and safety standards.

Preferred

• Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Instrumentation, or a related field.
• Experience working in regulated or hazardous industrial environments.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols and process control systems.
• Experience supporting plant upgrades, modernization projects, or capital improvements.
• Hands-on role within an industrial manufacturing facility.
• Collaborative environment with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams.
• Exposure to plant improvement, reliability, and automation projects.
• Opportunity for long-term technical growth and increased project ownership.
• Performance-based bonus
• 401(k) with company match
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance