Keep a Steel Mill Moving — Petersburg, VA
At Gerdau Steel, a global leader committed to sustainability and operational excellence, you’ll be the expert who keeps production running safely and efficiently. As a Steel Mill Electrical Maintenance Specialist in Petersburg, VA, you’ll blend hands-on troubleshooting with thoughtful preventative maintenance to maximize uptime.
A day in the life
You start your shift with rounds across the mill, checking critical equipment, scanning for abnormalities, and confirming that systems are operating within spec. When an alert pops up, you dive into diagnostics—interpreting schematics, probing with meters, and tracing signals—to quickly isolate the fault. You’ll tune motor controls, support PLC networks, and coordinate with maintenance and production teams to return equipment to service and document your work along the way.
What you’ll tackle
- Diagnose and repair electrical and electronic control systems using knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical components and how they interact.
- Perform routine rounds to verify performance, identify irregularities, and keep machinery within normal operating parameters.
- Apply sound judgment troubleshooting AC/DC motor controls, PLCs, electrical drives, and high-voltage circuits at or below 480 volts.
- Inspect and maintain shop machinery, mobile equipment, PLC networks, and overhead cranes; repair or replace worn components.
- Service electrical aspects of pumps, motors, cranes, and hydraulic/pneumatic equipment.
- Lay out, install, and sustain electronically controlled systems including rolling mill loop controls, secondary distribution centers, programmable sequences, and pulpit control panels.
- Balance loads and wire complex circuits correctly and safely.
- Use diagnostic tools such as digital voltmeters, multi-volt meters, paper recorders, and oscilloscopes.
- Maintain accurate records of work performed, repair details, and materials used.
- Interpret electrical schematics and blueprints at an intermediate level.
- Provide technical support to maintenance and production personnel as needed.
Tools & technologies
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)
- HMI
- Digital voltmeter, multi-volt meter, paper recorder, oscilloscope
Pay and benefits that start day one
- First year earnings of $116,000/year to $125,000/year DOE which includes base pay, bi-weekly production bonus, shift premiums, and 354 hours of scheduled annual overtime.
- Benefits on day one: medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and a 100% 401(k) match up to 6%.
- Tuition reimbursement and defined pathways for career advancement.
- A supportive, respectful, and safety-focused culture.
Schedule
Dupont 4/3 schedule with 12 hr rotating shifts: days, nights, and two consecutive weekends.
What you’ll bring
- Completion of the Ramsey Electrical exam.
- 3–5 years of electrical maintenance experience in heavy manufacturing.
- Strong knowledge of AC/DC motor theory, PLC troubleshooting, and high-voltage systems.
- Ability to read schematics and proficiently use electrical maintenance tools.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply today to join Gerdau’s Petersburg, VA team and build a rewarding, stable career where your expertise powers real results.
Proficiencies we value
- Electrical Systems Diagnostics & Repair
- Electrical Troubleshooting
- Electrical Repair
- Industrial Electrical Experience
- Electrical Systems & Diagnostics (Heavy Equipment)
- Electrical Schematic Reading
- AC/DC
- High Voltage