Paint Shop Electrical & Automation Maintenance Senior Specialist

About the Job:

The Paint Shop Electrical & Automation Maintenance Senior Specialist is a critical, highly specialized leadership role responsible for the reliability, functionality, and safety of all electrical power, control systems, and automation logic within the automotive paint shop. This position oversees the team and technical processes that ensure the uninterrupted operation of the complex, tightly controlled environment required for high-quality vehicle finishing, including Pre-Treatment, E-Coat, Sealing, and Topcoat areas.

Responsibilities:

Automation & PLC Systems:

• Oversees the troubleshooting, programming, and maintenance of all Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) (e.g., Siemens) that control the entire paint process flow, interlocks, and timing.
• Manages the integrity of robot programs for paint applicators and sealers, coordinating with mechanical and IT teams.

Electrical Power & Control:

• Manages the maintenance and calibration of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) , motor control centers ( MCCs ), and all power distribution equipment up to the point of machine connection.
• Ensures the proper function of sensors, limit switches, solenoids, and human-machine interfaces ( HMIs ).

Process Control & Instrumentation

• Maintains the accurate calibration and functionality of all process instruments (flow meters, pressure sensors, pH probes, conductivity meters) critical for controlling paint fluid delivery, chemical baths, and oven temperatures.

Safety & Compliance:

• Enforces stringent electrical safety protocols, arc flash mitigation, and comprehensive Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures across all power and control systems.

Downtime Prevention & Continuous Improvement:

• Leads the team in performing Preventive Maintenance (PM) on electrical components to minimize unscheduled stops.
• Uses CMMS data and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) to systematically eliminate chronic electrical and automation failures, focusing on improving Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
• Data Analysis & Planning: Proficiency with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo) to analyze maintenance metrics (MTTR, MTBF, OEE), manage spare parts inventory, and optimize Preventive Maintenance (PM) schedules.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or Mechatronics Engineering.
• Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on Electrical maintenance experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Expert knowledge in troubleshooting, modifying, and programming PLCs ( Siemens S7 is preferred) Ability to read and debug ladder logic, structured text, and function block diagrams.
• Advanced experience with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) , servo drives, and Motor Control Centers (MCCs) ; includes setup, tuning, and troubleshooting high-voltage industrial motors.
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols like Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Profibus, and Device Net for connecting PLCs, HMIs, and field devices.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Excellent leadership and communication skills to coordinate effectively with Production Management, Mechanical Maintenance, Process Engineers, and external vendors.