Industrial Controls Electrician — Metals Processing

Gerdau Steel - USA; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) match

Job summary

Gerdau Steel – USA in Petersburg, VA is seeking an Industrial Controls Electrician to maintain and troubleshoot electrical/electronic control systems in heavy manufacturing environments. The role covers motors, PLCs, drives, and high-voltage systems up to 480V, with routine rounds and diagnostics.

You’ll read schematics, use voltmeters and oscilloscopes, and collaborate with maintenance and production teams.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of heavy manufacturing electrical maintenance experience.
• Expertise in AC/DC motor theory, PLC troubleshooting, and high-voltage systems.
• Ability to interpret schematics and utilize standard electrical maintenance tools.

Responsibilities

• Track down and resolve faults in electrical/electronic control systems.
• Conduct routine rounds to spot anomalies and verify equipment is within spec.
• Troubleshoot AC/DC motor controls, PLCs, electrical drives, and high-voltage systems at or below 480 volts.
• Inspect, service, and maintain shop machinery, mobile equipment, PLC networks, and cranes; replace worn parts as needed.
• Support electrical aspects of pumps, motors, cranes, and hydraulic/pneumatic systems.
• Lay out, install, and maintain electronically controlled equipment: rolling mill loop controls, secondary distribution centers, programmable sequences, and pulpit control panels.
• Balance electrical loads and execute complex circuit wiring.

Skills

AC/DC motor theory

PLC troubleshooting

Electrical diagnostics

Electrical repair

High voltage handling

Schematics reading

Education

Ramsey Electrical exam

Tools

Digital voltmeter

Multi-volt meter

Oscilloscope

Paper recorder

Job description

Are you the go-to problem solver for complex controls?If you thrive in high-energy environments and love bringing heavy equipment back to life, Gerdau Steel in Petersburg, VA wants to meet you. We’re a global steel leader focused on sustainability and operational excellence—now seeking an Industrial Controls Electrician to keep our metals processing operations running at peak performance.Why this role stands outEarnings: First year earnings of $116,000/year to $125,000/year DOE which includes base pay, bi-weekly production bonus, shift premiums, and 354 hours of scheduled annual overtime.Benefits on day one: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, plus 100% 401(k) match up to 6%.Growth: Tuition reimbursement and clear advancement pathways.Culture: Supportive, respectful, and safety-focused from the ground up.What you’ll doTrack down and resolve faults in electrical/electronic control systems using a solid understanding of mechanical, fluid power, and electrical interactions.Conduct routine rounds to spot anomalies and verify equipment is within spec.Troubleshoot AC/DC motor controls, PLCs, electrical drives, and high-voltage systems at or below 480 volts—making sound, timely decisions.Inspect, service, and maintain shop machinery, mobile equipment, PLC networks, and cranes; replace worn parts as needed.Support electrical aspects of pumps, motors, cranes, and hydraulic/pneumatic systems.Lay out, install, and maintain electronically controlled equipment: rolling mill loop controls, secondary distribution centers, programmable sequences, and pulpit control panels.Balance electrical loads and execute complex circuit wiring.Employ diagnostic gear including digital voltmeters, multi-volt meters, paper recorders, and oscilloscopes.Document work performed, repair specifics, and materials consumption.Read and apply electrical schematics/blueprints at an intermediate level.Partner with maintenance and production teams to provide technical assistance.ScheduleDupont 4/3 schedule with 12 hr rotating shifts: days, nights, and two consecutive weekends.What you bringCompletion of Ramsey Electrical exam.3–5 years of heavy manufacturing electrical maintenance experience.Expertise in AC/DC motor theory, PLC troubleshooting, and high-voltage systems.Ability to interpret schematics and utilize standard electrical maintenance tools.Your tech toolkitVariable Frequency Drives (VFD)Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)HMIDigital voltmeter, multi-volt meter, paper recorder, oscilloscopeCore strengthsElectrical Systems Diagnostics & RepairElectrical TroubleshootingElectrical RepairIndustrial Electrical ExperienceElectrical Systems & Diagnostics (Heavy Equipment)Electrical Schematic ReadingAC/DCHigh VoltageTake the next stepReady to grow with a stable, global organization? Apply now to join Gerdau’s Petersburg, VA operation and turn your expertise into lasting impact.