Electrical & PLC Maintenance Technician

About the role

Longwood Elastomers, a Wabtec company, is a manufacturer of engineered elastomer products and custom rubber solutions in Wytheville, Virginia. The Electrical & PLC Maintenance Technician oversees electrical maintenance, automation projects, equipment reliability and continuous improvement across the facility, providing technical leadership for PLC-controlled equipment and facility infrastructure while supporting maintenance staff in troubleshooting, repairs, installations and preventive maintenance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead electrical and automation projects with Industrial Engineering, coordinate contractors and vendors, and mentor maintenance technicians
• Troubleshoot, repair, program and maintain PLC-controlled equipment, electrical control systems, motor controls, VFDs, sensors, safety circuits and industrial networking components
• Read electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and blueprints, and install, maintain and troubleshoot power distribution systems
• Support commissioning, startup and validation of new equipment, and maintain backup copies of PLC programs
• Perform scheduled, unscheduled and preventive maintenance, use diagnostic tools such as multimeters, meggers, clamp meters and thermal imagers, and repair or replace machines, pumps, motors, cylinders, valves, switches and actuators
• Analyze equipment failures, keep accurate maintenance records, and lead equipment installation and relocation
• Install conduit, wiring, panels, disconnects, and assist with power, plumbing, pneumatic and utility systems, plus fabrication with cutting torches, MIG welders, grinders and drills
• Maintain electrical schematics and procedures, use a CMMS to document repairs, track downtime and manage spare parts, and act as a safety leader with LOTO compliance

Required profile

• Journeyman or industrial electrician, electrical maintenance technician or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of industrial electrical maintenance experience and 3+ years of PLC troubleshooting and controls experience
• Manufacturing environment experience and ability to read electrical schematics and control drawings
• Preferred: Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) or Siemens (SIMATIC) PLC programming, industrial electrician license, associate degree in electrical technology or mechatronics, project leadership experience, welding/fabrication and Lean/RCM knowledge

Required skills

• PLC systems (Allen-Bradley preferred), motor controls, VFDs, electrical distribution, pneumatic and hydraulic systems
• Proficiency with CMMS software and Microsoft Office
• Operating forklifts, man lifts, articulating lifts, rigging equipment and ladders; lifting up to 50 lbs

The hourly rate is $36-42 depending on qualifications; benefits include health, welfare and retirement, and possibly an annual bonus.