Electrician Maintenance Technician in Hickman, Nebraska at Friedman Industries Inc

Electrician Maintenance Technician
Hot Roll Steel Division – Friedman Industries
Position Summary
The Electrician Maintenance Technician is responsible for safely maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing all electrical and control systems used in hot-rolled steel processing operations. This includes rolling mill equipment, coil handling systems, cut-to-length lines, drive systems, and overhead cranes. The technician supports plant reliability, minimizes downtime, and ensures equipment operates efficiently and safely.
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Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Electrical Maintenance & Troubleshooting
• Diagnose and repair faults in motors, drives, VFDs, PLCs, relays, contactors, switches, and power distribution systems.
• Maintain equipment used in hot-roll steel processes, including:
o Rolling mill motors and control systems
o Coil processing and cut-to-length lines
o Overhead cranes & hoists
o Hydraulic and pneumatic control circuits
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on electrical and electronic components.
• Install, maintain, and repair conduit, wiring, control panels, and electrical devices.
• Troubleshoot high-voltage and 480V 3-phase systems safely and accurately.
Instrumentation, Controls & Automation
• Maintain and calibrate industrial instruments (temperature sensors, encoders, load cells, proximity switches, laser measurement systems).
• Troubleshoot PLC systems (Allen-Bradley/Siemens) and assist with program adjustments as needed.
• Support HMI and SCADA communication and system reliability.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic, single-line diagrams, and equipment manuals.
Safety & Compliance
• Follow all safety policies, including NFPA 70E, NEC, OSHA requirements, and plant electrical standards.
• Perform Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), arc-flash hazard analysis, and safe work practices.
• Maintain clean, safe work areas and report unsafe conditions promptly.
Documentation & Communication
• Maintain accurate maintenance logs, work orders, and part usage reports.
• Communicate repair results and equipment needs to supervisors and production teams.
• Participate in root-cause analysis and reliability improvement initiatives.
Continuous Improvement
• Recommend system upgrades and improvements to reduce downtime and increase reliability.
• Assist with capital projects, equipment installations, and line modifications.
• Contribute to maintenance planning and spare-parts management.
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Qualifications
Required
• High school diploma or GED.
• Licensed electrician or industrial electrician certification (or equivalent experience).
• 3+ years of electrical maintenance experience in heavy industrial, manufacturing, or steel processing.
• Strong understanding of:
o 480V 3-phase power
o AC/DC motors and drives
o Industrial control systems
o PLC and automation troubleshooting
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings and technical manuals.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, overtime, call-ins, and respond to breakdowns.
Preferred
• Experience in hot-roll steel mills or coil-processing operations.
• Allen-Bradley ControlLogix & VFD troubleshooting experience.
• Familiarity with SCR drives, servo systems, and crane control systems.
• Basic mechanical skills (hydraulics/pneumatics) a plus.
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Physical Requirements
• Ability to work in a hot-roll steel environment (heat, noise, dust, heavy equipment).
• Ability to climb ladders, work at heights, enter confined spaces, and lift up to 50 lbs.
• Ability to stand, walk, and perform physically demanding tasks for extended periods.
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Work Environment
• Heavy industrial setting with hot-rolled steel operations.
• Exposure to elevated temperatures, moving machinery, crane operations, and molten/processed metals.
• Requires PPE including hard hat, steel-toe boots, safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, and flame-resistant clothing.