Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) Subject Matter Expert (SME)

International Paper; United States; Remote; USD 118,000 - 183,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan with company contributions

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

International Paper is seeking an Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) Subject Matter Expert to serve as a technical authority for LV/MV power networks in critical facilities. You will bridge field operations, maintenance, and engineering to maximize uptime and reliability.

You will analyze data, lead RCA for electrical issues, and guide safety and operating procedures while supporting capital projects and supplier contracts. Remote work with extensive travel is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a similar discipline is preferred.
• Industry certification in EPD technology, maintenance, or reliability is preferred and must be obtained within first year.
• 5–15 years of maintenance/technical experience in EPD & Turbine Generator equipment; pulp and paper experience preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of EPD equipment design, construction and operation.
• Familiarity with reliability systems, RCA, predictive maintenance and SAP-PM is preferred.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills; able to work with all levels of the organization.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 75% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead technical resource for LV/MV switchgear, transformers, turbine generator controls, backup generators and UPS systems.
• Plan, write and approve safety and operating procedures for high-risk electrical work.
• Enforce electrical safety programs and NFPA/NETA standards and codes.
• Lead root-cause investigations for electrical anomalies or trips.
• Provide QA/QC for electrical construction, upgrades and modifications.
• Train facility engineers, technicians and cross-functional teams on equipment operation and changes.

Skills

Leadership

Written Verbal Communication

Technical Training

Travel Readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field

Industry certification for EPD tech/reliability

Tools

SAP-PM

Job description

Position Title

JOB DESCRIPTION

Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Pay Rate

PL range16-18

$118,400 – $183,200

Multiple factors, including individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

Category/Shift

Salaried Full-Time

Physical Location

Remote

Extensive domestic travel required (up to 75%)

The Job You Will Perform

• As an Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) Subject Matter Expert (SME) you will act as the primary technical authority for the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) power distribution networks in critical facilities within our Mills.
• Working within the Reliability Team of International Paper’s Technology Group, the Electrical Power Distribution SME serves as a corporate technical expert responsible for ensuring maximum uptime, safety, and reliability of our complex electrical infrastructure. This role bridges field operations, maintenance execution, and engineering to mitigate operational risks and optimize power distribution performance.
• Key Responsibilities
  • Technical Authority & Oversight: Act as the lead technical resource for LV/MV switchgear, transformers, turbine generator controls, backup generators, UPS battery systems, and protective relaying.
  • Maintenance & Procedures: Plan, author, and approve safety and operating procedures for high-risk electrical troubleshooting, repair, and retrofit activities.
  • Safety & Compliance: Enforce strict adherence to internal & external electrical safety programs, National Electrical Testing Association (NETA) standards, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and local/national/global electrical codes.
  • Root-Cause Analysis: Lead forensic investigations and root-cause analysis (RCA) for any electrical anomalies, equipment failures, or system trips that exceed facility capabilities.
  • Project & Quality Oversight: Provide Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QAQC) for ongoing electrical construction, capacity upgrades, and component modifications.
  • Training & Mentorship: Train critical facility engineers / champions, technicians, and cross-functional teams on equipment operations, system changes, and best practices.
• Support EPD asset-management efforts by analyzing reliability, maintenance and operating data, conducting field assessments and recommending improvements that prevent failures and reduce maintenance costs.
• Support effective execution of the Reliability System elements, with an emphasis on those that impact the care, operation, and precision repair of electrical power distribution equipment.
• Support planned and unplanned outages through on-site and remote technical assistance.
• Apply reliability life-cycle knowledge and engineering standards to capital projects, including specifications, Capital Investment Proposals, necessary factory acceptance testing, installation quality and commissioning.
• Partner with Global Sourcing to support value-added supplier contracts and maintain quality standards for electrical power distribution equipment.
• Deliver hands‑on technical training and transfer knowledge through one‑on‑one, small‑group, classroom and field instruction.
• Develop and validate reliability standards and best practices, build technical networks across manufacturing locations and mentor facility champions.
• Ability to respond to manufacturing facilities on short notice.

The Qualifications, Skills And Knowledge You Will Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a similar engineering discipline is preferred, industry experience will be considered.
• Industry certification in EPD technology, maintenance, or reliability is preferred. Candidates without certification must obtain it within their first year.
• 5-15 years of combined maintenance and technical experience in EPD & Turbine Generator equipment and operations; pulp and paper industry experience is preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of EPD equipment design, construction and operation.
• Working knowledge of reliability systems, root cause failure analysis, predictive maintenance techniques and computerized maintenance management systems such as SAP‑PM is preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with team members at all levels of the organization.
• Excellent written, verbal, consulting and technical‑training skills, including the ability to teach in classroom and field settings.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally (by exception) up to 75% of the time and provide support to manufacturing facilities, as needed.

About Us

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets

The Benefits You Will Enjoy:

International Paper offers a benefits package that includes health, welfare and retirement plans including Medical, Dental, Life insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Short-term and Long-term Disability, 401(k), Company-funded retirement contributions, Paid Time Off, Education & Development (including Tuition Reimbursement), Student Loan Repayment Assistance, and Voluntary Benefits including insurance for home, auto, vision and pets

The Career You Will Build

Leadership training, promotional opportunities

The Impact You Will Make

We continue to build a better future for people, the planet, and our company! IP has been a good steward of sustainable practices across communities around the world for more than 125 years. Join our team and you’ll see why our team members say they’re Proud to be IP.

The Culture You Will Experience

International Paper promotes employee well-being by providing safe, caring and inclusive workplaces. We have team members all around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. These are our strengths. We are committed to creating a culture where all individuals are respected, valued, engaged and have an opportunity to do their best work every day. We invite you to bring your uniqueness, creativity, talents, experiences, and safety mindset to be a part of our increasingly inclusive and diverse culture.

The Company You Will Join

International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) creates sustainable packaging solutions that enable our customers, teammates and shareowners to thrive in an ever-changing world. We are a leader in corrugated packaging, partnering with customers across industries to protect what matters most, strengthen supply chains and create lasting value. Learn more at internationalpaper.com.

International Paper is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. International Paper complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail] or [phone].