Electrical Reliability Engineer – Motor Champion

Electrical Reliability Engineer – Motor Champion

Columbus, MS, USA

Pay Rate:

$106,700 - $137,000 - commensurate with experience

Multiple factors, including individual experience, skills and abilities will determine where an employee is ultimately placed in the pay range.

The Motor Champion is the site’s technical authority and program owner for electric motor reliability across the mill. This role is accountable for improving motor asset health, reducing unplanned downtime, and driving lifecycle cost optimization of the motor fleet. The position works cross‑functionally with Maintenance, Operations, Reliability, and Engineering to implement best‑in‑class predictive, preventive, and precision maintenance practices. This role directly impacts mill uptime, production stability, and maintenance cost by eliminating chronic motor failures and institutionalizing reliability standards.

• Motor Reliability Program Leadership:
  Provide mill‑wide leadership, develop and execute reliability gap plans, long‑term improvement strategies, capital planning.
• Safety & Compliance:
  Lead by example, ensure motor‑related work complies with NFPA 70E and site safety systems.
• Preventive & Predictive Maintenance:
  Drive execution and continuous improvement of motor PM & PdM programs (vibration, electrical testing, condition monitoring).
• Repair Quality & Vendor Management:
  Ensure all new, repaired, and rebuilt motors meet specifications; manage repair vendors, conduct audits and shop visits.
• Motor Asset & Data Management:
  Maintain accurate motor data, repair history, testing records; oversee installations, replacements, warranty tracking.
• Spare Motor & Storage Strategy:
  Develop and manage spare motor plans, inventory optimization, storage practices.
• Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement:
  Track reliability KPIs, trends, costs; lead RCFA efforts, ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Standards, Auditing & Work Practices:
  Own motor‑related specifications and audit compliance across the mill.
• Capital Projects & Engineering Support:
  Serve as SME for motor‑related capital projects, design, specifications, reliability standards.
• Training & Site Capability:
  Technical resource for training and mentoring E&I technicians, improving motor reliability capability.
• Operational Support:
  Provide outage support, participate in weekend duty rotation, support broader mill initiatives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or related field OR equivalent experience in industrial electrical maintenance/reliability.

• 5–10+ years in industrial maintenance/reliability (pulp & paper preferred).
• Demonstrated experience with electric motor systems (low & medium voltage).
• Experience with PdM technologies (vibration, MCA, IR, etc.).
• Experience working within SAP PM or equivalent CMMS.

• Strong understanding of motor types (induction, synchronous, DC), failure modes (bearing, winding, insulation, rotor defects), power quality (harmonics, voltage imbalance).
• Familiarity with IEEE/NEMA motor standards, reliability methodologies (RCM, FMEA, RCA).

• Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) or similar.
• Vibration Analysis Certification (ISO Category I–III).
• Thermography Certification.
• Experience in pulp mill systems (refiners, pumps, fans, conveyors).

• Reduction in motor‑related unplanned downtime (%).
• Increase in motor MTBF.
• PdM defect detection to failure prevention ratio.
• Reduction in motor repair/replacement costs.
• PM/PdM compliance rates.
• Spare motor inventory optimization.

• Data‑driven and systems‑oriented.
• Hands‑on and field‑engaged.
• Relentless about eliminating repeat failures.
• Able to influence without direct authority.
• Equally comfortable in the MCC room and in SAP.

• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability.
• 401(k) and Company‑funded retirement contributions.
• Paid Time Off.

IP – Columbus Mill

4335 Carson Road

Columbus MS 39701

Global Cellulose Fibers is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law. Global Cellulose Fibers complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact  or .