Electrical Engineer

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection - growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products.

At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Position Summary

The Electrical Engineer supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Synthomer Jefferson Hills resin manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for the design, maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of electrical power distribution, motor control, instrumentation interfaces, and control systems supporting chemical process operations. The Electrical Engineer works closely with Operations, Maintenance, SHE, and Capital Projects teams to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and Synthomer engineering standards while improving plant reliability and performance.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Systems & Plant Support

• Design, maintain, and troubleshoot medium- and low-voltage electrical systems , including substations, transformers, switchgear, MCCs, VFDs, and distribution panels.
• Provide technical support for motors, drives, heaters, and process equipment used in resin production.
• Develop and maintain single-line diagrams , electrical drawings, arc flash studies, and electrical system documentation.
• Support plant electrical safety programs including NFPA 70E , grounding, lockout/tagout, and arc flash mitigation.

Process & Control System Interface

• Support electrical aspects of DCS, PLC, and instrument power systems in coordination with Automation and Controls engineers.
• Assist with troubleshooting electrical-related process issues impacting batch and continuous resin operations.
• Evaluate electrical reliability impacts of process changes and new product introductions.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Provide engineering support to maintenance teams during equipment failures and outages.
• Identify and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for critical electrical assets.
• Lead or support root cause analyses (RCA) for electrical failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Improve asset reliability through standardization, obsolescence management, and upgrades.

Capital Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Lead or support capital projects involving electrical infrastructure, equipment upgrades, and new installations.
• Develop electrical scopes of work, cost estimates, and project schedules.
• Manage contractors and vendors to ensure work is completed safely, on time, and to specification.
• Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption, improve uptime, and modernize electrical systems.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with OSHA, NEC (NFPA 70), IEEE, API, and local electrical codes .
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) , Management of Change (MOC), and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR).
• Support audits and inspections related to electrical systems and energy control programs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Experience in an industrial manufacturing environment , preferably chemical or resin/polymers.
• Working knowledge of:
  
  • Industrial power distribution systems
  • Motor control centers (MCCs) and variable frequency drives (VFDs)
  • Electrical safety standards (NFPA 70E, OSHA)
  • Electrical drawings, schematics, and specifications
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with operations, maintenance, and engineering teams in a plant environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in chemical processing or batch manufacturing facilities.
• Familiarity with hazardous area classifications (Class I, Div 1 / Div 2).
• Knowledge of DCS/PLC power systems and control panels.
• Experience supporting capital projects and contractor management.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.
• Experience with energy management or electrical reliability programs.

Physical & Work Environment

• Manufacturing plant environment with exposure to noise, heat, and industrial hazards.
• Occasional on-call support or off-hour work during outages or critical plant issues.
• Ability to work in PPE and navigate production areas, electrical rooms, and outdoor equipment.

What Success Looks Like in This Role

• High electrical system reliability with minimal unplanned downtime.
• Strong partnership with Operations and Maintenance.
• Safe execution of electrical work and capital projects.
• Well-documented, compliant, and maintainable electrical infrastructure supporting production.

Global Benefits Overview

• Competitive, market-aligned compensation
• Discretionary global bonus scheme
• Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) - for senior positions
• Company car or car allowance - varies by region and role
• Healthcare - tailored to regional locations
• Parental leave and family support - maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies)

• Working options - flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs

• Learning & development opportunities - training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers
• Wellbeing support - employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives
• Retirement / pension contributions - plans vary by country
• Culture of Inclusion - where everyone can thrive
• Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes