Electrical and Instrumentation Engineer

Electrical and Instrumentation Team Leader

Industry: Paper manufacturing and converting

Department: Maintenance

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Key duties and responsibilities

Electrical and instrumentation maintenance management

• Plan, schedule, and execute preventive and corrective maintenance of electrical

systems, motor control centers, switchgear, drives (vfds), plcs, and instrumentation

systems.

• Ensure continuous operation of electrical distribution systems (mv & lv), lighting, power

panels, and standby power systems.

• Coordinate regular inspection, testing, calibration, and servicing of instrumentation

devices (e.g., pressure, temperature, flow, and level transmitters).

• Lead response to electrical faults, automation issues, and control system failures to

ensure minimum disruption to production.

Control systems and automation

• Maintain and troubleshoot DCS and plc systems used in the paper machine, converting

line, and utility systems.

• Update, back up, and maintain logic programs, hmi screens, and automation sequences.

• Collaborate with operations and process teams to optimize control loops and system

performance.

Safety and compliance

• Ensure all electrical and instrumentation work adheres to applicable standards (e.g., iec, nec) and internal safety procedures.

• Lead implementation of electrical safety protocols including lock-out/tag-out (loto),

grounding, and arc flash protection.

• Support and participate in hazops, risk assessments, and electrical safety audits.

Team leadership and staff development

• Supervise, mentor, and lead a team of electricians, automation technicians, and

instrumentation technicians.

• Conduct technical training, on-the-job coaching, and enforce discipline within the E&I

team.

• Plan shift coverage, assign daily responsibilities, and monitor job execution and quality.

Project management and system upgrades

• Lead or support electrical and control projects including upgrades, installations, and

modifications.

• Liaise with oems, contractors, and integrators for commissioning of new systems or

equipment.

• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and to specification.

Resource and inventory management

• Maintain adequate inventory of critical spares including fuses, relays, sensors, motors,

and control devices.

• Identify long-lead-time components and manage procurement in coordination with the

stores and purchasing teams.

• Track tool calibration and ensure availability of required test equipment.

Monitoring and reporting

• Maintain detailed logs of breakdowns, repairs, calibrations, and preventive maintenance

tasks.

• Monitor and report key kpis such as electrical downtime, first-time fix rate, and

equipment reliability.

• Provide daily, weekly, and monthly updates to the maintenance manager or engineering

head.

Cross-functional collaboration

• Collaborate with mechanical, production, utilities, and quality teams to align

maintenance priorities with operational needs.

• Participate in daily operations meetings, rca sessions, energy audits, and improvement

initiatives.

Qualifications and experience:

Educational qualifications:

• Essential:

o Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Instrumentation and Control, or a

related field from a recognized institution.

• Desirable:

o Certification or training in:

 PLC Programming (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Schneider)

 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and Motor Control Systems

 Distributed Control Systems (DCS)

 Electrical Safety, Arc Flash Protection, and LOTO Procedures

 Industrial Automation or Instrumentation Calibration Techniques

Professional experience:

• Essential:

o Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in electrical and instrumentation maintenance in an

industrial environment—preferably in paper, pulp, packaging, or other continuous

process industries.

o At least 2–3 years in a supervisory or team leadership role managing electrical and

instrumentation technicians.

o Proven hands-on experience in:

 Maintenance and troubleshooting of industrial control systems, electrical

panels, relays, switchgear, and motor control centers.

 Calibration and maintenance of field instruments (e.g., pressure, level, flow,

temperature sensors).

 Maintenance and programming of PLCs, HMI systems, and automation

networks.

 Handling and fault diagnostics for power distribution systems, transformers,

and backup systems.

• Desirable:

o Experience with preventive maintenance systems, planned shutdowns, and project

commissioning.

o Familiarity with Energy Management Systems and power quality monitoring.

o Exposure to computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS)

Additional requirements:

• In-depth knowledge of electrical codes, instrumentation standards, and industrial safety

regulations.

• Competence in reading and interpreting technical diagrams, wiring schematics, and loop

drawings.

• Ability to work under pressure, lead fault diagnosis during breakdowns, and minimize

downtime.

• Strong communication and leadership skills to coordinate cross-functionally and manage

team development.

• Willingness to stay updated on emerging technologies in automation, electrical control,

and smart instrumentation systems.