Senior Crane Electrical Engineer

SSA Marine, Inc; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Housing assistance

Job summary

SSA Marine, Inc. seeks a Senior Crane Electrical Engineer to lead electrical design, reliability, and optimization of crane systems across terminals in Seattle.

You will design power distribution, control architectures, automation, and integration with mechanical teams to support STS, RTG, RMG, ASC, and MHC cranes, ensuring safe and efficient operations. The role requires strong industrial electrical expertise, PLC/SCADA, VFDs, and preventive maintenance planning, with international travel up to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of industrial electrical systems experience, cranes/port ops preferred.
• Strong PLC/HMI/SCADA knowledge and experience with VFDs.
• Ability to travel 30–50% internationally.
• Familiarity with NEC, OSHA, IEC standards.

Responsibilities

• Develop and review electrical designs for crane installations and upgrades.
• Prepare single-line diagrams and control schematics.
• Support commissioning and acceptance of new crane equipment.
• Lead root-cause analysis for electrical and automation faults.
• Maintain preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Collaborate with maintenance, operations, and engineering teams.
• Ensure compliance with electrical codes and safety regulations.
• Stay abreast of crane electrification and automation trends.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Strong communication

English proficiency

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Siemens PLC

HMI/SCADA

VFDs and drives

Medium/low voltage distribution

Automation architecture

Job description

1131 SW Klickitat Way, Seattle , Washington 98134 , United States

Summary/Objective:

The Senior Crane Electrical Engineer is responsible for the design, reliability, maintenance, and optimization of electrical and control systems for crane equipment across SSA Marine terminals. This role focuses on ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable crane operations by supporting power systems, automation, drives, and control architectures for equipment such as STS, RTG, RMG, ASC, and MHC cranes.

The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in industrial electrical systems, electrical distribution systems, PLCs, variable frequency drives (VFDs), automation, and troubleshooting of complex crane systems.

• Willingness and ability to travel internationally 30%–50% of the time, subject to business needs and ongoing training.


• Must hold (or be eligible to obtain) a valid passport and meet international travel/visa requirements without restriction.


• Develop and review electrical designs for new crane installations, upgrades, and retrofits, including power distribution, control systems, and automation architecture.


• Prepare technical specifications, single-line diagrams, control schematics, and engineering documentation for crane systems.


• Support commissioning, testing, and acceptance of new crane equipment, ensuring compliance with SSA standards and operational requirements.


• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis of electrical, control, and automation failures to minimize downtime.


• Develop and enhance preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for electrical systems, including motors, drives, PLCs, sensors, and communication networks.


• Work closely with maintenance teams to optimize reliability and reduce lifecycle costs of crane electrical systems.


• Ensure compliance with applicable electrical codes, standards, and safety regulations (e.g., NEC, OSHA, IEC).


• Support integration of advanced technologies, including automation, remote diagnostics, condition monitoring, and energy efficiency solutions.


• Collaborate with mechanical, hydraulic, and operations teams to ensure seamless system integration and performance.


• Participate in modernization and electrification initiatives, including energy optimization and potential shore power interface considerations.


• Provide technical support for procurement, including vendor evaluation, FAT/SAT participation, and technical clarifications.


• Maintain accurate records of inspections, modifications, and system performance for compliance and continuous improvement.


• Support standardization of electrical systems and specifications across SSA Marine terminals.


• Prepare technical reports, project updates, and performance analyses for management review.


• Stay current with industry trends in crane electrification, automation, and digitalization.


• All other duties as assigned by management and/or supervisor.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field preferred.


• 8+ years of relevant experience in industrial electrical systems, preferably in cranes, heavy equipment, or port operations.


• Strong knowledge of PLC systems (e.g., Siemens, ABB, Schneider), HMI/SCADA, and industrial communication protocols.


• Experience with VFDs, motor control systems, and medium/low voltage power distribution.


• Understanding crane control systems and automation logic is highly desirable.


• Experience in commissioning and troubleshooting complex electromechanical systems.


• Strong operational and tactical skills with the ability to analyze system performance and implement improvements.


• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices.


• Exposure to energy efficiency, electrification, or sustainability initiatives is a plus.


• High level of energy, positive attitude, and collaborative working style.


• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills (verbal and written).


• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, operations, and maintenance teams.


• English proficiency required. Spanish proficiency is a plus.

Supervisory Responsibilities: No

Willingness and ability to travel internationally 30%–50% of the time, subject to business needs and ongoing training.

Must hold (or be eligible to obtain) a valid passport and meet international travel/visa requirements without restriction.

• Must be able to work in extreme outdoor temperatures both hot and cold), extremely dusty conditions, and occasionally, conditions of high levels of noise.


• The ability to work in an environment that may be hazardous to people who are unable to see and hear fast-moving equipment.


• Must be able to work in rotating shifts, days, evenings, and nights.

Salary range: $160,000 - 190,000 per year + bonus

The posted compensation range is based on the applicable geographic market for the position and may vary depending on factors such as related experience and skill set. Final compensation will be determined based on these items and other relevant factors.

Location: Must be local to Seattle for this Hybrid role

Relocation and housing assistance: YES

Our Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Eligible employees (and their families) may qualify for medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as having basic life and accidental death insurance, paid disability insurance, including paid parental leave if eligible, and an Employee Assistance Program. Employees will receive paid sick and vacation time, and company holidays if eligible. The company also offers paid bereavement leave, and paid jury duty. Eligible employees can enroll in our company's 401k plan, as well as a retirement plan. Employees will be eligible for discretionary and/or metric-based bonuses dependent on their position.