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Principal Industrial Power & Automation Engineer

Helion Group

Apple Grove, WV 25502 • $80.00 to $100.00 / hr • 10/20/2026

Job Description

Job Description
Are you the person everyone calls when it’s time to energize?

If your sweet spot is where heavy industrial power meets controls and automation, this role on a new greenfield steel mill in Apple Grove, West Virginia is for you. You’ll guide a site transitioning from construction to commissioning to productionowning the details, coordinating the players, and getting systems started safely and on time.

What you’ll do
  • Drive installation support, testing, commissioning, and startup of electrical and production assets.
  • Provide technical oversight for high/low voltage distribution: substations, switchgear, transformers, MCCs, and motors.
  • Troubleshoot electrical, controls, instrumentation, and integration issues during commissioning.
  • Review and validate single-lines, schematics, equipment specs, cable schedules, and vendor packages.
  • Coordinate contractors, OEMs, vendors, and systems integrators against scope, schedule, and standards.
  • Support PLC-based equipment, VFDs, motor controls, instrumentation, and Level 1 automation.
  • Verify installations conform to drawings, technical specifications, codes, and site standards.
  • Execute checkout, loop checks, functional testing, energization, startup, and turnover.
  • Surface conflicts early and implement practical field fixes to keep progress moving.
  • Develop punch lists, track issues, maintain documentation, and close out systems for acceptance.
  • Engage operations and maintenance to ensure safe, reliable, maintainable systems.
  • Coach early-career engineers and promote safe work practices across activities.
What you bring
  • BS in Electrical Engineering (or related).
  • 10+ years in steel/metals/manufacturing or similar heavy-industry environments.
  • Robust experience with industrial power distribution (high and low voltage).
  • Hands-on with MCCs, motors, VFDs, motor controls, PLCs, instrumentation, and automation.
  • Background in installation support, commissioning, startup, and field troubleshooting.
  • Ability to interpret drawings, specifications, schematics, and vendor documents.
  • History of coordinating contractors, OEMs, consultants, and integrators.
  • Independent field decision-maker with strong communication and leadership skills.
  • Willing to work on-site in Apple Grove, West Virginia.
Good to know

This is not a strictly PLC programming positionbreadth across power, controls, automation, project execution, and commissioning is essential.

Who thrives here

Engineers who can switch from a drawing review to a motor lineup checkout without missing a beatkeeping safety, schedule, quality, and reliability in viewwill excel and become trusted technical resources from installation through startup and turnover.

Core proficiencies
  • Project Management
  • Industrial Electrical Experience