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Electrical Engineer I (Junior / Entry-Level)

Company: GCP PAPER USA, Inc.

Location: Houston/New Caney, TX

Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried

FLSA Status: Exempt

Job Summary

The Electrical Engineer I (Junior / Entry-Level) is an entry-level professional engineering position designed for candidates seeking hands-on technical experience in high-speed industrial manufacturing, power distribution, and plant automation systems. This role assists with electrical project engineering, system design, PLC troubleshooting support, power analysis, and continuous operational improvements across paper converting machinery and facility infrastructure. Working closely with senior engineers and maintenance technicians, the Electrical Engineer I applies theoretical engineering principles to optimize machine uptime, resolve automation faults, and support cross-functional plant teams where bilingual communication (English/Spanish) is a strong asset.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Project Engineering & Capital Projects: Assist senior engineers in planning, designing, and executing electrical capital projects, including machinery upgrades, power distribution modifications, and line installations.

Automation & Control Systems: Support the troubleshooting, programming, and calibration of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and industrial photoelectric/proximity sensors.

CAD & Electrical Schematics: Draft, revise, and maintain plant single-line electrical diagrams, ladder logic schematics, panel layouts, and conduit routing using AutoCAD Electrical or similar engineering tools.

Root-Cause Failure Analysis: Conduct engineering investigations into recurring electrical or operational failures, utilizing technical data and diagnostic calculations to recommend permanent corrective actions.

Power Systems & Instrumentation: Assist with power distribution evaluations (480V 3-phase systems), Motor Control Center (MCC) configurations, arc flash hazard assessments, and sensor calibrations.

Maintenance & Reliability Support: Partner with industrial electrical technicians to improve preventive/predictive maintenance protocols, thermal imaging inspections, and equipment reliability initiatives.

Safety & Regulatory Standards: Ensure all electrical designs, modifications, and testing strictly comply with NFPA 70E (Arc Flash), National Electrical Code (NEC), OSHA guidelines, and corporate Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols.

Technical Documentation & Reporting: Maintain accurate project files, engineering change notices (ECNs), machine manuals, and equipment specs in alignment with ISO 9001:2015 quality standards.

Qualifications & Requirements

Education: Bachelor’s Degree (B.S.) in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET), or Mechatronics Engineering from an accredited university required. Open to candidates seeking their first professional engineering role (0–2 years of experience).

Certifications: Passed Engineer-in-Training (EIT) / Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam preferred, or working toward certification.

Experience: 0–2 years of relevant experience; internship, co-op, or senior capstone project experience in a manufacturing, automation, or industrial plant setting is strongly preferred.

Technical Knowledge:

• Foundational understanding of 3-phase industrial power distribution (480V/240V/120V), AC/DC electric motors, and VFDs.
• Academic or practical exposure to PLC programming software (e.g., Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal) and CAD tools.
• Baseline knowledge of industrial sensors, instrumentation, pneumatics, and electrical safety standards.
  Computer Skills: Proficient in AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical, MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), and technical analysis software.
  Language: Professional communication skills in English are required (written and verbal). Bilingual proficiency in Spanish (English/Spanish) is highly preferred to support cross-functional plant floor communication.
  Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

Postures & Stamina: Physical capability to navigate an active manufacturing floor, walk long distances, stand, and inspect equipment for prolonged periods during project execution.

Lifting: Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull engineering testing equipment, tools, or component samples weighing from 0 to 30 lbs.

Movements: Physical capacity to bend, crouch, access panel enclosures, and climb elevated platforms or extension ladders for authorized machinery inspections.

Environment: Split between an office environment (CAD drafting, project planning) and the active production plant floor. Plant exposure includes high-speed paper machinery noise, paper dust, greased components, and temperature fluctuations.

Required PPE: Mandatory use of company-provided safety boots, protective eyewear, hearing protection, cut-resistant gloves, and arc-rated PPE when entering designated plant areas. High-visibility vests are required when navigating 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 with company matching opportunities.

Time Off: Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid company holidays.

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.

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