Electrical Technician

Insteel Industries, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Insteel Industries, a leading manufacturer of steel wire reinforcing products, seeks an experienced Electrical Technician to maintain and repair complex electrical and mechanical systems on production lines. You will diagnose issues with PLCs, HMIs, VFDs, and motors, read schematics, and implement corrective actions to minimize downtime.

Ideal candidates bring 6+ years in a similar role, strong technical training, and the ability to work with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing

Qualifications

• Broad technical training with 2+ years of higher education plus apprenticeship or applied trades training.
• Minimum of 6 years electrical technician experience in an industrial setting.
• Equivalent combination of education and work-related experience may be acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Visually inspect, test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electrical and mechanical systems, machinery, equipment, and components.
• Perform basic repairs on auxiliary components and industrial equipment.
• Safely use electrical diagnostic and testing equipment (multimeters, meggers, oscilloscopes, voltmeters) to identify and resolve issues.
• Install, remove, reconnect, test, and troubleshoot motors, drives, distribution equipment, and related components.
• Read, interpret, and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and electrical prints.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain control systems including PLCs, HMIs, sensors, VFDs, motor drives, robotics.
• Lead root-cause analysis of equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, quality, and engineering to improve equipment performance.
• Assist with commissioning new equipment, upgrades, and manufacturing projects.
• Monitor production and equipment performance data for continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety regulations and industry standards.
• Participate in after-hours and on-call support as required.

Skills

Electrical systems

PLC programming

Automation troubleshooting

VFDs

Instrumentation

Schematic reading

Education

Tech training & apprenticeship

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Electrical test equipment

Job description

Are you skilled in electrical and industrial machinery and equipment and looking to grow with an established company?
Join Insteel as we continue to grow!

What You’ll Do

• Visually inspect, test, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair electrical and mechanical systems, machinery, equipment, and associated components.
• Perform basic repairs on auxiliary components and industrial equipment.
• Safely use electrical diagnostic and testing equipment including multimeters, meggers, oscilloscopes, voltmeters, and related instruments to identify and resolve equipment issues.
• Install, remove, reconnect, test, and troubleshoot motors, drives, power distribution equipment, and related electrical components.
• Read, interpret, create, and maintain electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical documentation, electrical prints, and symbols.
• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain industrial control systems including PLCs, HMIs, sensors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor drives, robotics, and other automation equipment.
• Design, install, troubleshoot, and maintain electrical systems supporting manufacturing equipment and production lines.
• Solder electrical and electronic components as required.
• Lead root-cause analysis of equipment failures and implement corrective and preventive actions to improve reliability and reduce downtime.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, quality, and engineering personnel to improve equipment performance, manufacturing efficiency, and process reliability.
• Assist with commissioning new equipment, upgrades, process improvements, and manufacturing projects.
• Monitor production and equipment performance data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and increased efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, electrical codes, safety regulations, and industry standards.
• Participate in after-hours and on-call support as required.

What You Need

• Strong understanding of industrial electrical systems, control circuits, and power distribution.
• Experience with PLC programming (Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, etc.) and automation troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with VFDs, servo systems, industrial networks (EtherNet/IP, Profibus), and instrumentation.
• Comfortable with 480v electrical systems.
• Ability to read and create electrical schematics and panel layouts.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, OSHA, and relevant manufacturing safety standards.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and project‑management abilities.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills in a fast‑paced production environment.
• Broad Technical training (at least 2 years of higher education plus apprenticeship/applied trades training). Training requires knowledge in the use of shop mathematics together with the use of complicated drawings, specifications, charts, tables, PLC programs, DC drive motors, AC drive motors. Electronics technology, industrial electronics, and various types of precision measuring instruments is required.
• Minimum of 6 years electrical technician experience in an industrial setting is required.
• An equivalent combination of education and work-related experience may be acceptable.

Full-time | Growth opportunity

Apply today with the nation’s largest manufacturer of steel wire reinforcing products. Pay depending on experience.

These duties may be modified or changed at any time at the sole discretion of management either orally or in writing. The above statements are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of this position. All employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

INSTEEL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you are qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to consider applicants residing in locations outside the US requiring Visa sponsorship at this time.

About the Company:

Insteel Industries is the nation's largest manufacturer of steel wire reinforcing products for concrete construction, including prestressed concrete strand and welded wire reinforcement such as engineered structural mesh and concrete pipe reinforcement. Founded in 1953 and headquartered in Mount Airy, NC, Insteel operates 11 manufacturing plants across the U.S. and has a dedicated engineering services division. As a publicly traded company, our goal is to be the supplier of choice by delivering superior value to our customers. Learn more at insteel.com/careers.

Fraud Prevention Notice:

Please note that Insteel Industries will never ask applicants to purchase equipment, send money, or provide payment information at any point in the hiring process. We may request certain personal information only after an official offer has been extended and the background check and drug screen have been successfully completed. If you receive a request for sensitive information or payment before these steps, it is not from our company. To protect yourself, please report any suspicious activity to our HR team by calling us at [phone].