Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer

Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer
Richmond, VA
 
Onsite, Permanent/Direct Hire, Full Benefits
Relocation Assistance Available
$105,000-115,000
 
The Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Engineer is a crucial role responsible for the design, maintenance, optimization, and reliability of the plant's electrical, instrumentation, and industrial control systems. This position is central to ensuring operational efficiency, process safety, and the long-term reliability of our highly automated manufacturing environment.
You will act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) for all Operational Technology (OT) and E&I systems, driving continuous improvement and managing capital projects from concept through validation.
 
Key Responsibilities & Deliverables
 
 
1. Control Systems Management & Reliability
 

• Serve as the plant's technical authority for the hardware and software related to PLCs, HMIs, DCS, and Basic Process Control Systems (BPCS).
• Develop, implement, and maintain preventative maintenance strategies for all E&I equipment to maximize uptime and reliability.
• Provide advanced technical support and troubleshooting for complex issues across electrical, instrumentation, and control systems.
• Analyze equipment failures, perform Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.

 
2. Design, Engineering, and Project Execution
 

• Develop and design electrical and instrumentation systems for capital projects and plant modifications, including power distribution, motor controls, and field instrumentation.
• Lead and execute E&I and Automation-related capital projects, managing all phases: scope development, budget, scheduling, contractor oversight, commissioning, and validation.
• Recommend and manage the lifecycle replacement/upgrades of aging control systems, field instruments, and electrical components.
• Ensure all designs and modifications strictly comply with relevant industry standards (e.g., NFPA 70E, ISA, NEC) and company specifications.

 
3. Safety, Compliance, and Documentation
 

• Actively participate in and uphold the facility's safety culture, serving as an SME for plant safety systems and hazardous area classifications.
• Implement and enforce cybersecurity best practices within the OT environment, including access controls, system patching, and threat monitoring.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation for all electrical schematics, control narratives, instrument datasheets, system architecture drawings, and SOPs.

 
What You'll Bring (Required Match)
 

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Experience: 5-10 years of experience as an E&I or Controls Engineer in a chemical manufacturing, petrochemical, refining, or other highly automated industrial environment.
• Control Systems Expertise: Proven, hands-on experience with PLC programming from major vendors (e.g., Rockwell, Siemens) and DCS systems (e.g., Emerson DeltaV, Honeywell).
• Instrumentation/Electrical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of industrial instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, level), control loop tuning, VFDs, and Motor Control Centers (MCCs).
• Standards: Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code (NEC) and other relevant safety standards.
• HMI/SCADA: Experience with SCADA and HMI platforms (e.g., Wonderware, FactoryTalk View).
• Communication: Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP).
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