Electrical Engineer I (Junior / Entry-Level)
The Electrical Engineer I is an entry-level role focused on supporting electrical project engineering, automation troubleshooting, and power distribution in a high-speed industrial manufacturing environment. This position collaborates with senior engineers and maintenance teams to optimize machine uptime, ensure safety compliance, and contribute to continuous operational improvements in paper converting machinery and plant infrastructure. Bilingual communication skills in English and Spanish are highly valued to facilitate cross-functional teamwork on the plant floor.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
What You’ll Do
This entry-level Electrical Engineer I role (Houston, TX area) supports plant electrical systems, PLC-based automation, and capital projects on high-speed industrial converting equipment. You will work alongside senior engineers and maintenance technicians to troubleshoot controls, update electrical drawings, and support reliability and safety initiatives for the confidential client.
- Assist senior engineers on electrical capital projects, machinery upgrades, power distribution changes, and line installations.
- Support troubleshooting, programming, and calibration of PLCs, VFDs, HMIs, and industrial sensors.
- Draft and maintain single-line diagrams, ladder logic schematics, panel layouts, and conduit routing using AutoCAD Electrical or similar tools.
- Perform root-cause analysis for recurring electrical or automation failures and recommend corrective actions.
- Help evaluate 480V 3-phase power systems, MCC configurations, and support arc-flash hazard assessments.
- Partner with maintenance teams to improve preventive/predictive maintenance, thermal imaging inspections, and machine reliability.
- Ensure compliance with NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA, and corporate Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.
- Maintain accurate project documentation, ECNs, equipment specifications, and manuals consistent with ISO 9001:2015.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET), Mechatronics, or equivalent from an accredited institution.
- 0–2 years of relevant experience; internships, co-ops, or capstone project experience in manufacturing or industrial automation are strongly preferred.
- Foundational understanding of 3-phase power distribution (480V/240V/120V), AC/DC motors, and VFDs.
- Exposure to PLC programming (Allen-Bradley/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, or similar) and experience with AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical.
- Proficient with MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and comfortable with technical analysis and documentation.
- Professional written and verbal English communication skills required; bilingual English/Spanish highly preferred.
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
- EIT / FE exam passed or in-progress is preferred.
Preferred Skills
- Hands-on experience on a production floor or with industrial control systems through internships or co-ops.
- Familiarity with motor control centers (MCCs), arc flash hazard assessment concepts, and basic instrumentation.
- Ability to read mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and perform basic electrical calculations.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- Mixed office and manufacturing-floor environment: CAD drafting and project work in the office, hands-on inspections and troubleshooting on the plant floor.
- Must be able to walk long distances, stand for extended periods, climb ladders, bend, and access panels.
- Occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs (testing equipment, tools, or components).
- Plant environment may include high-speed machinery noise, paper dust, greased components, and variable temperature conditions.
- Required PPE: safety boots, protective eyewear, hearing protection, cut-resistant gloves, arc-rated PPE where applicable, and high-visibility vests.
Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
Compensation & Benefits
- Estimated salary: $69,918 per year (estimated).
- 100% employer-paid individual Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage.
- 100% employer-paid Short-Term and Long-Term Disability.
- 401(k) plan with company matching opportunities.
- Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays.
Additional Notes
- This role is full-time, salaried, and reports to engineering/plant leadership.
- Duties and responsibilities may change; this description is not a contract of employment.
- The confidential client is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on business needs and qualifications.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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