Electrical Reliability Engineer

Alcoa of Australia Ltd; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock-based compensation awards (3‑yr)

HSA/401(k) employer match

12 paid holidays

15 days paid vacation

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Alcoa’s Lake Charles Carbon Plant in Lake Charles, LA is seeking an Electrical Reliability Engineer to enhance equipment performance and lead electrical system upgrades. You will apply expertise in automation, PLCs, HMIs, drives, and problem-solving to support safe, efficient operations and cross-functional reliability programs.

Join a world-class manufacturing operation where you will collaborate with maintenance and production teams to implement sustainable improvements and leverage fault

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Minimum of two years of industrial electrical engineering, automation, reliability, or manufacturing experience.
• Working knowledge of ladder-logic PLCs, HMIs, variable-frequency drives, AC/DC drives, and motor controls.
• Working knowledge of low- and medium-voltage power distribution equipment such as switchgear, MCCs, panelboards, and switchboards.
• Ability to read electrical, control, and fluid schematics; CAD/AutoCAD beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and solve complex electrical or process-control problems.

Responsibilities

• Lead installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, field testing, and adjustment of electrical equipment up to 13.8 kV.
• Diagnose electrical/control-system problems and oversee testing of critical systems.
• Assist production and maintenance teams with equipment issues and recommend long-term improvements.
• Serve as SME for design reviews, plans, specifications, and modifications affecting maintenance or operations.
• Troubleshoot and maintain PLCs, HMIs, drives, motors, and associated control systems.
• Develop or improve programs and control strategies to support process improvements, equipment upgrades, and new electrical systems.
• Work with vendors to optimize product performance and evaluate technical solutions.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Industrial automation

Electrical troubleshooting

Control systems

Vendor collaboration

Safety & maintenance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI

Job description

Shape Your World At Alcoa, you will become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. The way we see it, every Alcoan is a work-shaper, team-shaper, idea-shaper & world-shaper. We are seeking an Electrical Reliability Engineer to join our team in Lake Charles, LA. This role offers the opportunity to apply and grow your expertise in electrical systems, automation, and reliability while supporting a world-class manufacturing operation. You will work alongside experienced engineering and maintenance professionals to improve equipment performance, support reliability initiatives, participate in electrical projects and system upgrades, and help ensure the safe and efficient operation of critical plant assets.

About the Role

• Lead and coordinate installation, troubleshooting, maintenance, field testing, and adjustment of electrical equipment, including systems up to 13.8 kV.
• Diagnose electrical and control-system problems, coordinate special studies or testing with other disciplines, and oversee testing performed on critical systems.
• Assist production and maintenance teams with equipment and process issues, applying engineering theory and practical experience to recommend sustainable long-term improvements.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for engineering design reviews, plans, specifications, proposed facilities, and modifications that may affect maintenance or operations.
• Troubleshoot and maintain manufacturing equipment, including PLCs, HMIs, drives, motors, and associated control systems.
• Develop or improve programs and control strategies that support process improvements, equipment upgrades, and new electrical systems.
• Work with vendors to optimize product performance, evaluate technical solutions, and recommend appropriate new technologies.
• Provide leadership and active participation to maintain high standards for safety, environmental performance, quality, and efficiency.
• Lead development and annual review of preventive maintenance programs and work with planning and scheduling personnel to create and maintain tasks identified through RCM practices.
• Manage asset condition-monitoring programs, technologies, tools, and systems, and support predictive maintenance procedures for early detection of equipment problems.
• Lead or participate in process and equipment improvements with cross-functional teams that include production, maintenance, engineering, contractors, vendors, and other technical disciplines.
• Provide technical input for capital investment proposals, shutdown plans, equipment upgrades, and replacement strategies.
• Generate technical documentation such as troubleshooting guides, technical reviews, studies, safe standard operating procedures, executive summaries, and training materials.

What you can bring to this role

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution or equivalent technical education and directly relevant experience may be considered where appropriate.
• Minimum of two years of relevant industrial electrical engineering, automation, reliability, or manufacturing experience.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation and control systems, including ladder-logic PLCs, HMIs, variable-frequency drives, AC/DC drives, and motor controls.
• Working knowledge of low- and medium-voltage power distribution equipment such as switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), panelboards, and switchboards.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, control, and fluid schematics; CAD or AutoCAD experience is beneficial.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot manufacturing equipment and solve complex electrical or process-control problems.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with employees, management, contractors, vendors, and cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Root Cause Analysis, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Reliability Centered Maintenance, equipment criticality, and preventive or predictive maintenance programs.
• Experience leading and completing electrical or capital projects in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Experience with asset-management systems such as Oracle eAM, SAP, or comparable computerized maintenance management systems.
• Experience with process-control systems and industrial manufacturing methodologies.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication, organization, technical judgment, and problem-solving skills.

What we offer

• Competitive compensation packages, including pay-for performance variable pay, recognition and rewards programs, and stock-based compensation awards (3-year vesting schedule)
• Flexible spending accounts and generous employer contribution to the HSA 401(k), employer match up to 6%, additional employer retirement income contribution (no vesting period), and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan
• 12 paid holidays per year.
• 15 days of paid vacation (pro-rated from hire date).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) #LI-TL2

Just about halfway from Houston and New Orleans Alcoa's Lake Charles Carbon Plant is located in historic Lake Charles, LA. The city of Lake Charles is a growing city with a vibrant art, cultural and dining scene. Parks scattered throughout the city, and easy access to shimmering Lake Charles, via our beautiful Lakefront Promenade, call to outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds. One of the most prominent aspects of Cajun culture and Southern charm is the natural willingness for people to go out of their way to treat company or complete strangers like family. We are values led, vision driven and united by our purpose of transforming raw potential into real progress. Our commitments to Inclusion, Diversity & Equity include providing trusting workplaces that are safe, respectful and inclusive of all individuals, free from discrimination, bullying and harassment and that our workplaces reflect the diversity of the communities in which we operate. As a proud equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer, Alcoa is dedicated to providing equal opportunities and equal access to all individuals regardless of a person’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, nation of origin, disability, veteran status, language spoken or any other characteristic or status protected by the laws or regulations in the places where we operate.

If you have visited our website in search of information on U.S. employment opportunities or to apply for a position, and you require an accommodation, please contact Alcoa Recruiting via email at [e-mail].

This is a place where you are empowered to do your best work, be your authentic self, and feel a true sense of belonging. Come join us and shape your career! Your work. Your world. Shape them for the better. Shape your Career at Alcoa! As an Alcoan you are part of a global team committed to advancing sustainability and delivering excellence and innovation. As a values-based company, we Act with Integrity, Operate with Excellence, Care for People, and Lead with Courage. Join us and become an essential part of our purpose: to turn raw potential into real progress. We treat all people with dignity and we believe in inclusion, diversity and enabling all employees to grow and develop their careers with us, where they can pursue their passions. Discover the possibilities a career with Alcoa can have for you. Come shape your career with us! Careers @ Alcoa Sustainability @ Alcoa What we Believe in Diversity & Inclusion