Manufacturing Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Tennessee

Electrical Controls Lead

Department: Maintenance
Reports to: Maintenance Leader
FLSA Status: Exempt; Hourly
Revised Date: 4/2026

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Electrical Controls Lead is responsible for the technical leadership, reliability, and continuous improvement of electrical and automation systems within a high‑technology manufacturing facility. This role serves as the subject‑matter expert for PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, robotics, and process control systems, while leading and developing a team of electrical and controls technicians. The position partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Technical/Quality, Engineering, IT/OT, and Safety to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant performance.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Leadership & Systems Ownership

- Serve as the site technical authority for electrical power distribution, PLCs, HMIs, motion control, robotics, vision systems, and industrial networks.
- Own standards for controls architecture, programming, documentation, and change management.
- Lead troubleshooting of complex electrical and controls failures to minimize downtime and prevent recurrence.
- Support new equipment installations, commissioning, and acceptance testing.
- Ensure compliance with electrical codes, safety standards, and company engineering guidelines.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

- Drive reliability improvements through root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode analysis, and preventive/predictive maintenance strategies.
- Identify and implement control strategies.
- Support and lead kaizen events, 5S activities, and lean manufacturing initiatives across the plant.
- Recommend and implement process improvements to enhance equipment performance, reliability, and maintainability.
- Ensure all control systems operate reliably, effectively, and in alignment with plant safety and quality standards.
- Support TPM, continuous improvement, and digital manufacturing initiatives.
- Maintain accurate electrical schematics, PLC programs, backups, and asset documentation.

Team Leadership & Development

- Provide technical directions and coaching to electrical and controls technicians.
- Support training and skill development in PLC programming, troubleshooting, and automation technologies.
- Participate in staffing assessments, succession planning, and performance feedback.
- Act as escalation support for shift maintenance teams during critical events.

Collaboration & Project Support

- Partner with Operations and Engineering to optimize equipment performance and process control.
- Coordinate with IT/OT resources on network security, system integration, and data reliability.
- Support capital projects, automation expansions, and technology roadmaps.
- Communicate effectively across shifts and departments to ensure alignment and execution.

Safety & Compliance

- Champion electrical safety, lockout/tagout (LOTO), arc‑flash mitigation, and safe work practices.
- Ensure controls modifications follow proper management of change (MOC) processes.
- Promote a strong safety culture through visible leadership and accountability.

Job Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

- Associates Degree in technical field required
- 5 years of experience in electrical/controls maintenance within a manufacturing environment
- Experience in high‑technology, automated, or continuous‑process manufacturing.
- Robotics, vision systems, or advanced motion control experience.
- Familiarity with OT cybersecurity and networked control systems.
- Project leadership or capital project support experience.
- CMMS, TPM, or reliability‑centered maintenance experience.
- High level of competency with Allen-Bradley PLC (Control Logix), HMI.
- Knowledge of National Electrical Code (NEC).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

- Technical depth and structured problem solving
- Leadership and coaching capability
- On‑call or off‑shift support as required for critical issues or project execution
- Strong communication across technical and non‑technical teams
- Bias for safety, reliability, and continuous improvement
- Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Planning and organizational skills
- Basic computer skills
- Knowledge of SAP system
- Analyze and interpret the area’s Top Losses
- Adhere to 5S Standard
- Identify abnormalities and write Red/Blue tags
- Create and train on OPL (One-point lessons)
- Adhere to CI Standard
- Identify HTA’s and SOC’s
- Identify safety hazards in work area as part of Step 0
- Understand Problem-Solving/5 Whys
- Understand TPM methodology

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

- Wear required PPE equipment (safety glasses, bump cap, steel toe boots, ear protection, heat/cut resistant gloves, long sleeve shirt, and face mask)
- Climb and descend stairs
- Manufacturing environment with exposure to industrial equipment and electrical systems
- Lift, push, and pull 50lbs as needed
- Repetitive hand, arm, leg movements

COMPUTER AND SOFTWARE COMPETENCIES

- Proficient in Microsoft Suite
- SAP experience is a plus

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

- Complete all annual safety and role specific training, as required by the nature of this position
- Must pass all required assessments

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.