Industrial Electrical Technician

Industrial Electrical Technician

Company: GCP PAPER USA, Inc.

Location: Houston/New Caney, TX

Job Type: Full-Time, Hourly

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Shift: 12-Hour Rotating Shifts

Job Summary

The Industrial Electrical Technician is responsible for performing electrical troubleshooting, routine inspections, diagnostic checks, and supporting mechanical repairs on high-speed paper and cardboard converting, cutting, winding, and folding equipment. This position requires a strong technical electrical background to safely inspect, repair, and maintain plant power distribution, sensors, motor controls, and automated production systems. Operating on the production floor, this role balances specialized electrical diagnostics with supporting mechanical interventions to minimize equipment downtime, maintain product quality standards, and ensure safe, continuous plant operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Electrical Diagnostics & Repair: Perform complex electrical troubleshooting, preventative repairs, and installation on high-speed production lines, including 480V/240V 3-phase power, AC/DC motors, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), relays, control transformers, and primary safety switches.
• Control Systems & Sensors: Inspect, test, calibrate, and resolve error codes for industrial controls, photoelectric eyes, proximity sensors, limit switches, temperature controllers, and automated operator interface panels.
• Technical Schematics: Read and interpret electrical single-line diagrams, ladder logic, pneumatic schematics, and mechanical blueprints to perform rapid root-cause failure analysis during equipment stoppages.
• Preventive Maintenance: Conduct scheduled electrical and supporting mechanical preventive maintenance (PM) routines on converting production machinery, motor control centers (MCCs), control enclosures, and main facility distribution panels.
• Pneumatic & Mechanical Support: Apply core mechanical principles to diagnose and repair pneumatic system faults (tracking air lines, pressure regulators, and cylinder mechanisms), mount/dismount industrial bearings, and perform precision machine format changeovers.
• Safety & LOTO Compliance: Work with extreme caution when handling high-voltage electrical components. Execute full equipment Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols prior to performing service and strictly adhere to OSHA standards and NFPA 70E electrical safety guidelines.
• Deviation & Operational Reporting: Identify and report critical equipment faults or electrical deviations affecting production speed and finished product quality, while maintaining fluid communication with production leaders and maintenance management.
• Material & Area Authority: Request necessary repair materials, electrical consumables, and spare parts; temporarily restrict foot traffic in hazardous repair zones; and report structural or high-voltage issues requiring specialized external contractors.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required (Secundaria completed). Vocational training diploma, trade certificate, or Associate Degree in Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, or Industrial Automation strongly preferred.
• Certifications: None required; NFPA 70E electrical safety, basic electrician trade certification, or Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) certifications preferred.
• Experience: 2+ years of technical experience in an industrial electrical, electro-mechanical, or plant technician role within a continuous manufacturing environment (paper or packaging experience preferred).
• Technical Knowledge: Demonstrated technical background in 480V/240V/120V industrial circuits, motor controls, VFDs, sensor troubleshooting, industrial bearing care, pneumatics, and precision measurement tools.
• Tool Operation: Safe and proficient operation of electrical diagnostic equipment (multimeters, megohmmeters, wire strippers), as well as standard mechanical hand tools and power tools.
• Language: Intermediate communication skills in English are required; bilingual communication skills (English/Spanish) are preferred.
• Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Postures & Stamina: Physical capability to stand and walk constantly across the production floor, office spaces, and facility yards for prolonged periods of up to 10–12 hours per shift.
• Lifting: Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull manufacturing items, electrical toolboxes, replacement motors, control components, or scrap material weighing from 0 to 50 lbs.
• Movements: Physical capacity to bend, twist, crouch, climb extension/supervision ladders, work inside electrical enclosures, and safely access confined machinery spaces for authorized repairs or inspections.
• Environment: Regular exposure to high-speed industrial machinery noise, greased mechanical components, floating paper dust, airborne particles, moderate heights, confined environments, and plant temperature fluctuations.
• Required PPE: Mandatory use of company-provided safety boots, protective eyewear, hearing protection, cut-resistant gloves, and arc-rated safety equipment when required. High-visibility vests are required when navigating designated plant floor pathways.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Company Benefits

• 100% Employer-Paid Healthcare: Fully covered individual Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance.
• 100% Employer-Paid Disability: Fully covered Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD).
• Retirement: 401(k) Plan.
• Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO).

Standard Disclaimers & Compliance

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Employment At-Will: This job description does not constitute an employment contract. Employment with GCP PAPER USA, Inc. is "At-Will," meaning that either the employee or the company can terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or prior notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer: GCP PAPER USA, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.

Regulatory Compliance: The individual in this position is responsible for adhering to all OSHA safety protocols, executing proper Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) when working on building equipment, maintaining facility standards under ISO 9001:2015, and respecting FSC certified building and resource management guidelines.