Industrial electrician job description template

1. Position Summary

The Industrial Electrician installs, tests, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical and electronic controls across all facility operations. This role ensures maximum operational availability of production machinery, building systems, and automated processing lines while adhering strictly to Canadian electrical codes and provincial occupational health and safety standards. Operating in a hands-on plant environment, the position serves as the primary technical specialist for power distribution, motor control systems, and automated industrial equipment. The primary outcome of this role is the safe, uninterrupted, and code-compliant operation of physical plant infrastructure and manufacturing machinery.

2. Key Responsibilities

2.1 Preventive Maintenance and Inspection (20% of Time)

• Inspects electrical systems, transformers, switchgear, motor control centres (MCCs), and plant machinery according to the established facility maintenance schedule.
• Conducts non-destructive testing, infrared thermography scans, and insulation resistance tests (megger testing) to identify component degradation prior to operational failure.
• Cleans, tightens, and services electrical connections, panels, and distribution enclosures to prevent thermal faults and unplanned downtime.
• Records baseline operating parameters, thermal readings, and wear measurements in the work management log to track equipment lifecycle trends.

2.2 Electrical Troubleshooting and Diagnostic Repair (25% of Time)

• Diagnoses operational malfunctions in production machinery, hydraulic and pneumatic control interfaces, and electrical power circuits using digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, and circuit testing equipment.
• Isolates electrical faults down to the discrete component level, including relays, contactors, circuit breakers, safety interlocks, sensors, and power supplies.
• Executes rapid corrective repairs during unscheduled operational breakdowns to restore production capacity while maintaining plant safety margins.
• Validates post-repair equipment functionality under full load conditions before handing machinery back to operating personnel.

2.3 Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) and Automation Controls (15% of Time)

• Troubleshoots and modifies programmable logic controller (PLC) routines, input/output (I/O) modules, and communication networks to resolve operational sequencing faults.
• Configures and calibrates variable frequency drives (VFDs), soft starters, servo systems, and field instrumentation, including temperature, pressure, flow, and optical sensors.
• Interfaces with Human-Machine Interface (HMI) terminals to diagnose process alarms, communication drops, and operator control faults.
• Backs up program files, parameter sets, and firmware configurations on local secure drives to preserve operational recovery readiness.

2.4 Equipment Installation and System Modification (15% of Time)

• Runs, bends, threads, and mounts electrical conduit, cable trays, and raceways in industrial environments according to structural and environmental demands.
• Pulls, terminates, and tests power, control, and instrumentation cabling for newly installed machinery, utility tie-ins, and facility expansions.
• Mounts, wires, and connects control panels, disconnect switches, transformers, distribution panels, and machine-mounted electrical devices.
• Updates and marks redline field changes on electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, and wiring prints for permanent drafting revision.

2.5 Safety, Code Compliance, and Isolation Management (10% of Time)

• Applies comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and zero-energy verification procedures to complex electrical, mechanical, and stored-energy systems prior to servicing.
• Enforces Canadian Electrical Code requirements and provincial safety standards across all electrical installations and modifications.
• Completes high-risk work authorizations, hot work permits, and arc-flash risk assessments prior to initiating work on energized or high-voltage equipment.
• Inspects personal protective equipment, insulated hand tools, and test instruments daily to ensure electrical rated integrity.

2.6 Work Order Management and Shift Reporting (10% of Time)

• Logs completed maintenance activities, diagnostic findings, replaced components, and labor hours within [HRIS_NAME] or the facility maintenance tracking system.
• Generates clear corrective work requests for identified system vulnerabilities, deferred repairs, and required physical plant improvements.
• Conducts verbal and written shift handover briefings with incoming technical personnel and [REPORTS_TO_TITLE] regarding open operational issues.
• Documents root-cause failure analyses for recurring equipment breakdowns to support continuous maintenance improvements.

2.7 Spare Parts and Technical Inventory Control (5% of Time)

• Monitors stock levels of critical electrical replacement parts, including fuses, relays, contactors, sensors, breaker units, and specialized cables.
• Submits purchase requisitions for non-stock repair parts, consumable electrical supplies, and specialized tooling to [OWNER_OR_MANAGER].
• Organizes and labels electrical spare part storage areas to ensure prompt component availability during emergency repairs.
• Evaluates vendor component specifications to identify viable, code-compliant substitute parts when primary components face supply delays.

3. Qualifications & Experience

Role Qualifications and Defensible Requirements

Note: All qualification criteria have been established in alignment with non-discriminatory hiring standards and Bona Fide Occupational Requirements under human rights legislation.

4. Competencies

Industrial Electrician Core Competencies

5. Working Conditions & Performance Measures

5.1 Working Conditions and Physical Demands

The physical and environmental demands described in this table represent those required to perform the essential duties of this role successfully. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated and provided up to the point of undue hardship in accordance with applicable human rights legislation.

Physical and Environmental Demands Matrix

5.2 Performance Measures

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

5.3 Career Path

• Typical Prior Experience Roles: Electrical Apprentice, Maintenance Helper, Panel Builder, Commercial Electrician transitioning to industrial manufacturing, or Field Service Technician.
• Typical Next Progression Roles: Senior Industrial Electrician, Maintenance Leadhand, Electrical Maintenance Supervisor, Automation & Controls Specialist, Maintenance Planner/Scheduler, or [REPORTS_TO_TITLE].

5.4 Role Acknowledgement

This job description represents an accurate overview of the essential duties, qualifications, physical demands, and responsibilities of the Industrial Electrician position at [ORGANIZATION_NAME]. It is not designed to contain a comprehensive inventory of all minor tasks that may be assigned. Operational conditions may require modifications to assigned duties, work schedules, or reporting structures. Any permanent, material modification of duties will be communicated with reasonable notice by [OWNER_OR_MANAGER].

Signatures and Verification

Incumbent Name ([EMPLOYEE_NAME])

Incumbent Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

Manager Name ([MANAGER_NAME])

Manager Signature

Date (DD-MMM-YYYY)

What to fill in