Senior Electrical Reliability Engineer
Company : Chemtrade
Location : Chicago, IL, 60633
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 2 January 2026
Job Description
Position: Sr Electrical Reliability Engineer - Instrumentation
Primary Location: Home based United States (ability to travel 30%, US and Canada)
Reports to: Senior Manager, Electrical Reliability
Compensation: $145,000- 155,000+ Bonus + Benefits (salaried, exempt)
The range shown reflects the targeted pay scale. Actual pay within the range depends on work location and factors such as skills, experience, and education. Specific salary details can be discussed during the hiring process. Posted compensation reflects base salary only and excludes bonuses, benefits, pension contributions, and other incentives.
Chemtrade is committed to delivering innovative solutions that address the complex challenges faced by our customers. As a responsible corporate citizen, we prioritize safety, sustainability, and environmental stewardship in all aspects of our operations. Our talented and diverse workforce is at the heart of our success, as we recognize that their knowledge, skills, and dedication drive our ability to deliver exceptional products and services. At Chemtrade, we believe in creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives and talents. By putting people at the center of our operations, we build strong connections, nurture innovation, and create a fulfilling work experience for all.
About this Role and About You
The Senior Electrical Reliability Engineer - Instrumentation is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and operational efficiency of electrical and instrumentation systems across Chemtrade facilities in North America. Establishes and leads execution of standard procedures for evaluating operational reliability and identification of root cause failure analysis; Defines and implements corrective actions. This role emphasizes proactive maintenance strategies, process safety management, and continuous improvement initiatives, while supporting both capital projects and daily operations.
Qualifications
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
- 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering & maintenance, preferably in a chemical or industrial environment.
Technical skills:
- Strong knowledge of electrical equipment found in low & medium voltage electrical systems such as:
- Transformers, Switch Gear, Industrial Power Rectifiers, Protection Relays, Circuit Breakers, Harmonic Filtering, Power Factor Correction, Grounding covering systems 120 Volt through 138,000 Volt
- Motor Control Centers, Motor Control Circuits and wiring, VFD/ASD, Electrical protection systems, Smart MCCs and Relays,
- Industrial Instrumentation design, specification and maintenance support. 24V DC Power systems, Instrument Cabling systems, Panels, Indicators, Field indicators, portable instruments, Wireless communications, Field measurement and control devices.
- Process instrumentation such as flowmeters, level transmitters, temperature transmitters, analyzers, and weighing systems
- Familiarity with regulatory requirements and safety standards in a chemical plant setting.
- Proficiency in using diagnostic tools and software as well as power system modelling
- Knowledge of electrical codes and standards (IEEE, ISA, NFPA, CSA).
- Experience managing small capital projects in coordination with site maintenance, operations teams and capital project group in the delivery of improved electrical & instrumentation reliability
- Demonstrated ability to revise procedures relating to inspection, repair, and maintenance as required
- Experience working with 3rd party engineering consulting firms who specialize in engineering evaluations
- Solid experience in facilitating Root-cause Analysis and corrective actions
Prefered Skills:
- extensive PLC and BMS expereince
- certified Functional Safety Engineer
General skills:
- Organized, and capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines
- Self-motivated & High sense of ownership (comfortable working autonomously)
- Strong collaborator & effective communicator with multiple levels in the organization (verbal and written)
- Stives in a team atmosphere and is a strong contributor to the team.
- Humble, adaptable, & life-long learner
- Data driven & process oriented
- Ability to Travel up to 30% over the course of the year
Responsibilities
- Maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through systematic evaluation and improvement initiatives to enhance equipment availability, performance, and quality. 5%
- Conduct root-cause investigations to identify and resolve issues affecting equipment reliability and operational efficiency. 5%
- Support successful plant Turnarounds with scope identification, planning, QC, and on-site presence. 10%
- Support Process Control & Automation upgrades, patching, and associated reliability work to maintain DCS equipment 5%
- Identify and address inefficiencies by implementing corrective actions for equipment "bad actors." 5%
- Assist Site I&E maintenance technicians or Engineers with subject matter expertise, including auditing and training. 5%
- Review and optimize preventive maintenance activities to enhance effectiveness and resource allocation. 5 %
- Support EHS initiatives through participation in safety roll-out activities. 5%
- Provide engineering support for high-priority maintenance needs and outage response. 15%
- Maintain equipment registers and manage obsolescence, identifying risks and developing mitigation plans. 5%
- Serve as the subject matter expert for electrical and instrumentation management of change. 10%
- Support capital projects from conception, design, through commissioning, ensuring optimal reliability of new installations. 20%
- Develop Engineering Standards to drive best-practices across multiple facilities. 5%
What Chemtrade Offers You
Embracing Diversity, Maximizing Results
At Chemtrade we are committed to cultivating a work environment that embraces and values the unique qualities, skills, and experiences of every employee. We believe in harnessing the richness of diverse talents, ideas, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to drive our business forward, and see our diversity as one of our greatest strengths.
To foster an inclusive environment, we actively encourage the creation of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are open to all employees. These employee-driven groups provide platforms for employees to share their perspectives, contribute their ideas, and help shape our inclusive and respectful culture and provide vital platforms for employees to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their unique backgrounds and perspectives. Together, we strive to build a workplace that recognizes and celebrates the diverse voices within our organization. We recognize the value of Employee Resource Groups (ERG’s) in fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment.
Join us in our journey towards building an inclusive workplace that promotes the personal and professional development of our employees.
Additionally, we understand the importance of work-life balance and the well-being of our employees and their families.
That is why we proudly offer a range of family-friendly benefits, and opportunities for career growth and advancement.
We are committed to supporting our employees at every stage of their lives and ensuring they can thrive both professionally and personally. Join us and be a part of a company that values diversity, inclusion and the well-being of its employees
Learn more about Chemtrade by following us on LinkedIn or Facebook and YouTube: Chemtrade
#ChemW
#LI-Remote
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Frequently asked questions
Mastering low to medium voltage systems such as transformers, switchgear, and motor control centers is essential in Chicago’s industrial settings. Familiarity with process instrumentation and protective relays enhances reliability efforts, aligning with local facility requirements and safety standards prevalent in the Midwest chemical industry.
Daily tasks revolve around analyzing equipment performance data, leading root cause failure investigations, and collaborating with maintenance teams to enforce preventive strategies. Balancing capital project support with operational troubleshooting is crucial to maintain high equipment uptime and safety compliance.
Advancement can lead to engineering management roles or specialized consultancy positions focusing on electrical system optimization. Developing expertise in functional safety and capital project leadership often accelerates progression within companies emphasizing innovation and operational excellence.
Chemtrade’s approach combines rigorous safety and sustainability protocols with a strong emphasis on employee empowerment and cross-functional collaboration. Their focus on diverse perspectives fosters innovative reliability solutions that enhance operational efficiency across North American facilities.
Chemtrade prioritizes proactive maintenance and continuous improvement with a significant portion of work rooted in cross-border travel and multi-site coordination. This role demands adaptability and a deep understanding of both electrical and instrumentation systems within highly regulated environments.
Certifications like IEEE standards knowledge, ISA functional safety, and NFPA compliance are highly valued. Locally, holding a Certified Functional Safety Engineer credential can differentiate candidates given the region's stringent safety and regulatory landscape.
Chicago hosts a robust industrial sector, making senior electrical reliability positions moderately competitive. Demand favors engineers with over a decade of experience and specialized skills in electrical system diagnostics, which can tip the scale in favor of candidates demonstrating strong technical and project leadership capabilities.
The base salary typically falls between $145,000 and $155,000 annually, excluding bonuses and benefits. This aligns with regional benchmarks for senior electrical engineers in chemical manufacturing, reflecting both the role’s responsibility level and specialized expertise required.
While primarily home-based, the position requires up to 30% travel across the U.S. and Canada, balancing remote work flexibility with essential on-site presence for inspections, project commissioning, and team collaboration within varied plant environments.
Coordinating consistent maintenance standards amid diverse regulatory frameworks and operational conditions is complex. The engineer must skillfully navigate equipment obsolescence, supply chain constraints, and varied team expertise to maintain system reliability and safety compliance efficiently.