Industrial Electrical Technician
Gcp Paper Usa
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
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.
What Most Electricians Job Listings Don't Tell You
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Electrical work in Texas is licensed by the state. You begin as a registered apprentice, accumulate thousands of paid hours under a licensed electrician, and pass an exam to reach journeyman, then master. A posting that says electrician may want a specific tier, so check which license the role expects. Pay is hourly and climbs sharply with each license step. Service and low-voltage specialties sometimes add performance pay on top.
The work splits into residential, commercial, and industrial, and each feels different. Residential service means troubleshooting panels, outlets, and fixtures in occupied homes. Commercial and new construction lean on conduit bending, blueprint reading, and rough-in on a schedule. Safety is constant. You lock out circuits, test before you touch, and follow code to the letter because inspectors check the work. Demand in the Houston metro stays strong with new building, solar tie-ins, and EV charger installs, so skilled hands rarely sit idle.
What to Expect Day-to-Day
General overview for this role type; specifics vary by employer.
Most days open with a job packet or a service route. You review the scope, pull materials, and set up a safe work area. Service electricians spend the day diagnosing dead circuits, replacing breakers, adding outlets, and correcting wiring that failed an inspection. You test voltage, trace faults, and confirm every connection is tight and grounded.
On new construction the rhythm is different. You bend and run conduit, pull wire, mount boxes, and set panels to the plan. Rough-in has to pass inspection before walls close, so accuracy and code knowledge matter more than speed. You coordinate with other trades sharing the site and keep your runs clean. Documentation closes out the day. You mark panels, note circuits, and record what was installed. The job mixes physical work, careful measurement, and steady problem solving, and a single miss can mean a failed inspection or a callback.
What Electricians Jobs Pay in Houston
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area (Electricians).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX Metro Area. Median is about $28.45/hr.
Becoming a Licensed Electrician in Texas
Electrical work is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. You start as a registered apprentice and log thousands of paid hours under a licensed electrician. With enough documented hours you test for journeyman, and after more experience you sit for the master electrician exam. A master can hold or serve as the responsible party for a contractor license. Specialties like low-voltage and sign electrician have their own licenses. Every step ties to hours and a passing exam, so track your time from day one.
Career Ladder and Pay
- 1 Apprentice Electrician $47,237/yr
Register with the state and log paid hours under a licensed electrician.
- 2 Journeyman Electrician $59,176/yr
Pass the exam and wire installs and service with limited supervision.
- 3 Master Electrician $73,715/yr
Top tier. Design systems, pull permits, and oversee journeymen.
- 4 Estimator / Foreman $73,715/yr
Bid projects and lead crews on commercial and industrial jobs.
- 5 Electrical Contractor $84,469/yr
Hold the contractor license and run your own electrical business.
Licensing paths and timelines are general guidance for this trade in Texas. Confirm current requirements with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation or the relevant state agency.
More Electricians Jobs Near Houston
Your Job Search Toolkit
Free tools, prefilled for electricians roles.
Was this job page helpful?
Looking to hire instead?
Find verified Electricians businesses in Houston →