Electrical Engineer - Plant Reliability & Automation

Job Description:

Ashland, VA | $100,000 - $130,000 + Relocation Assistance

The Opportunity

A global packaging manufacturing leader near Richmond, VA is looking for an Electrical Engineer to anchor plant reliability and automation across a high-speed production facility. This role puts you at the center of uptime, performance, and continuous improvement - working hands-on with the systems that keep operations running. If you have a background in industrial electrical engineering and thrive in a manufacturing environment, this is a high-impact position with room to make your mark.

Your Day-to-Day

• Provide hands-on electrical engineering support to daily plant operations, keeping production safe and efficient
• Troubleshoot and resolve complex electrical and automation issues affecting uptime and performance
• Support and optimize PLCs, motor control centers, drives, instrumentation, DCS platforms, and industrial networks
• Partner with maintenance, reliability, and operations teams to implement corrective and preventive solutions
• Participate in predictive and preventive maintenance programs, including condition monitoring and reliability initiatives
• Contribute to capital projects, equipment upgrades, and automation improvements across the facility
• Collaborate with OEMs, vendors, and contractors on installations, commissioning, and technical problem-solving
• Maintain electrical documentation including schematics, system configurations, and equipment history
• Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and regulatory requirements
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency, and operational performance

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Industrial Technology, or a related field
• 2-5+ years of electrical engineering, maintenance, or reliability experience in a manufacturing or industrial setting
• Experience in packaging, pulp & paper, or other high-speed process industries strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of electrical power systems, motors, drives, PLCs, and industrial automation
• Proven troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills in complex industrial environments
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, drawings, and technical documentation
• Familiarity with reliability methodologies, predictive maintenance tools, and maintenance workflows
• Solid communication skills with the ability to work across maintenance, operations, and engineering teams
• Knowledge of Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement practices is a plus
• Strong commitment to safety and adherence to electrical standards

Ready to Apply?

This is a chance to take ownership of plant reliability and automation at a globally recognized manufacturing operation - with competitive pay and relocation support to get you there. Reach out to Great Bay Staffing today to learn more. Your resume will never be shared without your permission.

Required Skills:

• Resume

• Support

• Capital

• Lean Manufacturing

• Instrumentation

• Root Cause Analysis

• ROOT

• Codes

• Technical Documentation

• Operations

• Regulatory Requirements

• Preventive Maintenance

• Analysis

• Compliance

• Ownership

• Electrical Engineering

• History

• Commissioning

• Reliability

• Continuous Improvement

• Contractors

• Manufacturing

• Automation

• Communication Skills

• Vendors

• Troubleshooting

• Documentation

• Maintenance

• Engineering

• Communication