Maintenance Electrician- Level III
Enerstaff
You will be taken to the employer's application page. Listing expires September 5, 2026.
Job Description
Position Summary
The Maintenance Electrician – Level III is a senior‑level technician responsible for advanced electrical troubleshooting, complex repairs, and technical leadership within the maintenance team. This role requires expert‑level knowledge of industrial electrical systems, strong diagnostic capabilities, and the ability to mentor lower‑level technicians. Level III electricians play a key role in improving equipment reliability, supporting automation systems, and driving continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead complex electrical troubleshooting and repairs on industrial equipment.
- Diagnose and resolve issues involving PLCs, VFDs, automation systems, and advanced control circuits.
- Perform advanced testing using specialized equipment (megger, oscilloscope, thermal imaging).
- Program, modify, and optimize PLC logic under engineering direction.
- Configure, troubleshoot, and maintain VFDs, soft starters, and motor control centers.
- Interpret and update electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation.
- Lead root‑cause analysis for recurring electrical failures.
- Support installation and commissioning of new equipment and automation upgrades.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to Level I and Level II technicians.
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, and reliability teams on improvement projects.
- Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and company policies.
- Maintain detailed records of work performed and recommend improvements.
- Perform additional duties as assigned.
Experience, Skills, and Knowledge
- Expert knowledge of AC/DC systems, three‑phase power, and industrial controls.
- Advanced troubleshooting skills for motors, drives, PLCs, and automation systems.
- Ability to read, interpret, and update complex electrical schematics.
- Strong understanding of ladder logic, function block diagrams, and control logic.
- Proficiency with VFD programming, tuning, and diagnostics.
- Experience with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus).
- Ability to lead complex repairs independently and guide others.
- Strong mechanical understanding to support multidisciplinary troubleshooting.
- High level of safety leadership and adherence to electrical standards.
Preferred
- Experience with SCADA systems, HMIs, and advanced automation platforms.
- Background in steel manufacturing or heavy industrial environments.
- Certification as a Journeyman Electrician or equivalent.
- Experience working on CNC equipment
- Experience with PLC troubleshooting and industrial controls is also preferred (FANUC OR SIEMENS).
Education, Training, and Certifications
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Technical degree, trade school, or advanced electrical certification preferred
- 5 years of industrial electrical experience required; 7 preferred.
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.
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