Reliability Engineer

Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) Reliability Engineer

Sappi North America | Somerset Mill | Skowhegan, Maine

Position Overview

Are you an experienced Electrical & Instrumentation professional who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, improving equipment performance, and driving continuous improvement?

Sappi North America is seeking an E&I Reliability Engineer to join our team at the Somerset Mill in Skowhegan, Maine.

In this role, you'll play a key part in improving the reliability, performance, and long-term effectiveness of electrical and instrumentation systems throughout the mill. You'll work closely with Maintenance, Engineering, and Operations teams to identify opportunities for improvement, resolve recurring equipment issues, reduce downtime, and optimize maintenance costs.

This is an opportunity for someone who brings strong technical expertise, enjoys taking ownership of challenges, and wants to make a meaningful impact on mill operations.

What You'll Do

• Lead initiatives to improve electrical and instrumentation equipment reliability, performance, and overall effectiveness.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical, instrumentation, power distribution, and drive control systems.
• Identify recurring equipment issues, determine root causes, and develop sustainable solutions.
• Support the design, maintenance, and improvement of electrical power distribution and coordinated drive systems.
• Apply reliability and continuous improvement practices to reduce unplanned downtime and total equipment ownership costs.
• Partner with Maintenance and Operations teams to improve preventive maintenance strategies, work processes, and equipment performance.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to maintenance teams, helping drive safe, effective, and consistent maintenance practices.
• Support equipment upgrades, process improvements, and changes that enhance operational reliability.
• Promote a strong safety culture and structured approach to maintenance, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.

What We're Looking For

• Approximately 7+ years of experience in Electrical & Instrumentation maintenance and reliability.
• Strong technical background in electrical power distribution systems, including design, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.
• Extensive knowledge of PLC systems, including PLC-5, ControlLogix, and other Allen-Bradley control platforms.
• Experience with coordinated drive systems, including design principles and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and the ability to promote safe work practices.
• Proven ability to lead maintenance teams, coordinate technical work, and drive equipment reliability improvements.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Understanding of structured maintenance practices, procedures, and operational excellence.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments, lead meetings, and present technical information.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Power, or a related technical field.
• Experience in pulp and paper manufacturing or a similar industrial environment.
• Familiarity with structured problem-solving and reliability methodologies, including Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA), Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), Kepner-Tregoe, and Management of Change (MOC).
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), preferably SAP, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong interest and aptitude in electrical and instrumentation engineering, equipment troubleshooting, and reliability improvement.

Make an Impact at Somerset Mill

At Sappi, reliability is about more than keeping equipment running. It's about finding better ways to work, strengthening our processes, and supporting the people and systems that keep our operations moving forward.

If you're a technically strong E&I professional who enjoys solving problems, collaborating with others, and driving meaningful improvements, we'd love to hear from you.