Electrical Safety & Controls Engineer
Job Description
James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.
With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.
For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com.
Summary
We are seeking an experienced Electrical Safety & Controls Engineer to drive improvements in the areas of electrical safety across multiple manufacturing facilities. This role is responsible for developing, implementing, enforcing and continuously improving a comprehensive Electrical Safety Program that protects employees, reduces risk and ensures compliance with NFPA 70E, OSHA regulations and company standards. The Electrical Safety & Controls Engineer will lead enterprise-wide electrical safety initiatives, establish standardized practices, drive arc flash and protection coordination strategies, oversee electrical qualification programs and ensure consistent implementation of electrical safety requirements across all sites.
Travel Requirement: 30–50% travel to manufacturing facilities.
What You’ll Do:
Electrical Safety Program Leadership (Primary Responsibility)
- Own and drive implementation of a standardized Electrical Safety Program across all facilities.
- Serve as the one of the company's technical authorities for NFPA 70E interpretation, application and compliance.
- Develop, maintain and enforce electrical safety standards, policies, procedures and work practices.
- Conduct electrical safety audits, assessments and gap analyses to identify and mitigate risk.
- Lead arc flash study coordination, review, validation, implementation and ongoing maintenance.
- Provide technical leadership regarding protection coordination, incident energy reduction and electrical hazard mitigation strategies.
- Develop and maintain a skill-based electrical qualification program.
- Lead investigations involving electrical incidents, near misses and significant electrical safety events.
Automation, Controls & Industrial Data Systems
- Design, program, support and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, supervisory control and industrial data collection systems for extrusion and material handling operations.
- Lead modernization of legacy control systems, including PLC upgrades, advanced control strategies and plant standardization initiatives.
- Develop and implement control logic and data acquisition solutions to support process optimization, future closed-loop control and operational reliability.
- Lead AspenTech data collection system deployment and expansion across material handling, blending, feed systems, extrusion and end-of-line operations.
- Ensure accurate, reliable integration of PLC, field, ERP and reporting systems while validating data integrity to support commissioning, performance monitoring and operational decision-making.
What You’ll Bring:
Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial electrical systems, controls engineering, manufacturing engineering or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience leading or owning an Electrical Safety Program in an industrial environment.
- Expert knowledge of NFPA 70E, OSHA electrical safety requirements, arc flash regulations, energized work practices and lockout/tagout requirements.
- Hands-on experience with 480V distribution systems, MCCs, switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, busway systems, VFDs and industrial controls.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree is preferred in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering or related technical discipline.
- Direct experience serving as the technical owner of a multi-site Electrical Safety Program.
- Experience managing third-party engineering firms performing arc flash and protection coordination studies.
- Formal electrical safety certifications or advanced NFPA 70E training.
- Experience developing electrical qualification and competency based training programs.
What You’ll Receive:
As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $100,000 to $120,000. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.
At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.
- Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
- Insurance: health coverage medical, dental, vision, life insurance
- Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
- Retirement: 401(k) with match
- Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs
- Purpose. Impact. Community: Sustainability Initiatives | James Hardie
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This role is an opportunity to join the AZEK Group, LLC, a part of the James Hardie Building Products family of companies, where you’ll contribute to a culture driven by growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.
James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.
James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.
The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.