Electrical & PLC Maintenance Technician
Summary:
Longwood Elastomers, a Wabtec Company, is a leading manufacturer of engineered elastomer products and custom rubber solutions located in Wytheville, Virginia. Today, Longwood combines more than 50 years of expertise with Wabtec's global reach and technology leadership. What makes Longwood unique is its combination of elastomer chemistry, product engineering, tooling design, manufacturing, and testing capabilities all under one roof. The facility develops and manufactures products used in rail transportation, industrial pumping systems, automotive applications, tire manufacturing, energy markets, and other demanding industries.
The Electrical & PLC Maintenance Technician is responsible for overseeing electrical maintenance activities, automation projects, equipment reliability initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts throughout the facility. This position provides technical leadership for electrical systems, PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment, and facility infrastructure while supporting maintenance personnel in troubleshooting, repairs, installations, and preventive maintenance programs.
The ideal candidate is a highly skilled industrial electrician with strong PLC troubleshooting experience who can successfully lead projects, mentor technicians, improve equipment uptime, and ensure safe, efficient operation of all facility and production assets.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Work with Industrial Engineering and be Maintenance Lead on electrical and automation-related projects from planning through completion.
- Coordinate electrical contractors, vendors, and internal resources during equipment installations and facility modifications.
- Provide technical guidance and mentoring to maintenance technicians.
- Support maintenance planning and scheduling activities to maximize equipment uptime.
- Recommend and implement continuous improvement projects to improve reliability, productivity, safety, and cost performance.
- Assist in developing standard operating procedures, preventive maintenance programs, and troubleshooting guides.
Electrical & PLC Systems
- Troubleshoot, repair, program, and maintain PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment.
- Diagnose and repair electrical control systems, motor controls, safety circuits, sensors, VFDs, actuators, relays, and industrial networking components.
- Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, blueprints, and technical manuals.
- Install, maintain, and troubleshoot electrical power distribution systems and production equipment.
- Support commissioning, startup, and validation of new equipment and production systems.
- Maintain backup copies of PLC programs and equipment parameters.
Maintenance Operations
- Perform scheduled, unscheduled, and preventive maintenance on manufacturing equipment.
- Use common electrical diagnostic equipment including multimeters, meggers, clamp meters, thermal imaging devices, and other testing instruments to diagnose equipment issues and conduct preventive maintenance.
- Troubleshoot and perform repairs on production and facility equipment.
- Repair or replace machine components including:
- Safety devices
- PLCs
- Pumps
- Motors
- Cylinders
- Valves
- Switches
- Actuators
- Analyze equipment failures and implement corrective actions to reduce recurring downtime.
- Maintain accurate maintenance records and documentation.
Equipment Installation & Facility Support
- Lead the installation and relocation of manufacturing equipment.
- Install conduit, wiring, panels, disconnects, and associated electrical connections.
- Support installation of electrical power, plumbing, pneumatic, and utility systems as required.
- Install and relocate storage racking, shelving, shadow boards, and facility support equipment.
- Assist with facility improvement and expansion projects.
- Perform fabrication activities utilizing:
- Cutting torches
- MIG welders
- Grinders
- Drills
- Other metalworking tools
CMMS & Documentation
- Create and maintain electrical schematics, maintenance procedures, and equipment documentation.
- Utilize Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) to:
- Document repairs
- Complete preventive maintenance records
- Track downtime
- Communicate shift pass-down information
- Enter purchase requisitions
- Manage spare parts inventory
Safety & Compliance
- Demonstrate safe work practices while adhering to company policies, OSHA requirements, NEC, NFPA 70B & 70E standards, and other applicable local, state and federal regulations.
- Perform Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and ensure compliance during maintenance activities.
- Serve as a safety leader within the maintenance department.
- Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
- Participate in safety audits, investigations, and corrective action activities.
Required Qualifications: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.)
- Journeyman Electrician, Industrial Electrician, Electrical Maintenance Technician, or equivalent experience.
- 5+ years of industrial electrical maintenance experience.
- 3+ years of PLC troubleshooting and controls experience.
- Experience working in a manufacturing environment.
- Ability to read electrical schematics and control drawings.
- Strong knowledge of:
- PLC systems (Allen-Bradley preferred)
- Motor controls
- VFDs
- Electrical distribution systems
- Automation equipment
- Pneumatic and hydraulic systems
- Experience using common electrical testing and diagnostic equipment.
- Proficient with CMMS software and Microsoft Office applications.
- Ability to safely operate:
- Forklifts
- Man lifts
- Articulating lifts
- Rigging equipment
- Ladders
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in an industrial manufacturing environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) and/or Siemens (SIMATIC) PLC programming experience required.
- Industrial Electrician License or Journeyman Certification. Preferred or required
- Associate Degree in Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, Industrial Automation, or related field.
- Other types are nice to have but not required: MELSEC (Mitsubishi Electric), Modicon (Schneider), Omron (Sysmac) or ABB / B&R Automation.
- Experience leading maintenance projects and supervising contractors or technicians.
- Welding and fabrication experience.
- Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing and Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) principles.
Physical Demands: (The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)
- Frequent standing, walking, handling, reaching outward, reaching up/over shoulder, squatting/kneeling, climbing bending, lifting up to 50lbs. Frequent exposure to dust or vapors within OSHA limits, heat/humidity, and loud noises
- Occasional sitting and lifting 50lbs or more. Occasional exposure to cold
- Requires daily face-to-face interaction with employees on production line.
- No remote work available
Our job titles may span more than one career level. The hourly rate for this role is currently $36-42 DOE. The actual salary offered to a candidate may be influenced by a variety of factors, such as: training, transferable skills, work experience, education, business needs, market demands and work location. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. More information on offered benefits, which include health, welfare, and retirement, are available at mywabtecbenefits.com. Other benefit offerings for this role may include annual bonus, if eligible.
What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?
At Wabtec, it’s not just about a job - it’s about the impact you make. When our people come together, we’re Expanding the Possible by continuously improving what we do and how we do it - for our clients and each other.
If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.
Who are we?
Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together - are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.
Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.
Culture powers us and the possibilities.
We believe the best ideas come from a mix of experiences and backgrounds. At Wabtec, we strive every day to create a place where everyone belongs. We’re building a culture where leadership, inclusion and your unique perspective fuel progress.
We’re proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome talent of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including race, gender, age, disability, veteran status and more.
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