Sr. Electrical Maintenance Engineer

Gilder Search Group; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Our client in the steel industry in Cleveland, Ohio is seeking a Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer to improve equipment reliability, optimize control systems, and reduce downtime across the Hot Mill. The candidate will drive technical excellence, lead automation initiatives, and support a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

The role requires hands-on experience with PLC platforms, industrial drives, and motor control, plus strong knowledge of automation architectures and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field or equivalent industrial electrical experience.
• Five years of industrial electrical experience in maintenance, controls or automation.
• Hands-on proficiency with PLCs, drives, and control systems in a heavy manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of automation architectures and industrial networks.
• Ability to work in a hot, dusty industrial setting and in variable conditions.
• Authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and improve electrical, automation, PLC, and motor drive systems for hot mill operations.
• Serve as SME for Level 1 PLCs, control systems, regulating systems, and motor drives.
• Analyze and repair complex electrical/control issues impacting production, quality, and safety.
• Lead electrical projects including PLC installations, upgrades, and commissioning.
• Support training and knowledge transfer to maintenance personnel on electrical systems.
• Ensure documentation of drawings, PLC logic changes, and control strategies; ensure safety compliance.

Skills

PLC programming

Industrial automation

Automation architectures

Industrial networks

Motor control

Vendor management

Training personnel

Safety compliance

Education

Bachelor of Electrical Engineering

Associate degree + 5 years experience

Tools

GE RX7i

Versamax

Genius I/O

ABB drives

SQL databases

Network configuration

Data acquisition systems

Job description

Sr. Electrical Maintenance Engineer

Location: Cleveland, OH

Our client, a highly respected company in the Steel industry, has an immediate opportunity for a Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer at their Cleveland, Ohio facility. This role plays a critical part in improving equipment reliability, optimizing control system performance, and reducing unplanned downtime across the Hot Mill. The Senior Electrical Maintenance Engineer drives technical excellence, leads complex automation initiatives, and supports a culture of safety and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field OR an Associate degree with a minimum of five (5) years of relevant industrial electrical experience
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in electrical maintenance, controls, or automation within a heavy manufacturing or industrial environment
• Demonstrated hands‑on proficiency with PLC platforms, industrial drives, and control systems in a high‑demand manufacturing environment
• Strong understanding of automation architectures, industrial communication networks, and AC/DC motor control principles
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and standard engineering software
• Ability to work in a hot, dusty, industrial manufacturing environment, including climbing stairs and ladders and working on uneven surfaces
• Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Proven ability to support production operations with a focus on uptime, quality, and process stability
• Experience with GE PLC platforms (RX7i, Versamax, Genius I/O), ABB drives, and industrial data acquisition systems
• Familiarity with SQL databases, network configuration, and system integration
• Strong project management skills with experience managing vendors and capital or maintenance projects
• Experience training and mentoring maintenance personnel

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve electrical, automation, PLC, and motor drive systems supporting Hot Mill operations
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for Level 1 PLCs, control systems, regulating systems, and industrial motor drives
• Analyze and repair complex electrical and control system issues affecting production, quality, and safety
• Lead and manage electrical projects, including PLC installations, upgrades, vendor coordination, cost tracking, scheduling, and commissioning
• Support training and knowledge transfer to hourly and salaried maintenance personnel on electrical and power distribution
• Apply best practices in process automation, feedback devices, instrumentation, AC/DC motor control, and power distribution
• Utilize data analysis and diagnostic tools to improve system reliability and reduce downtime
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives using root‑cause analysis, reliability engineering principles, and structured problem‑solving methodologies
• Evaluate and recommend technology upgrades to enhance automation capability and long‑term equipment performance
• Ensure accurate documentation of electrical drawings, PLC logic changes, control strategies, and troubleshooting guides
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance Planning, Engineering, IT, Vendors, and Continuous Improvement teams
• Ensure all work is performed in compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards
• Perform additional duties as assigned