Maintenance Technician - Electrical (Multi-Craft Support)

R3 Lithium operates North America's first commercial-scale lithium carbonate recovery facility, located in Covington, Georgia. Using a lithium-first extraction process, the company recovers, refines, and returns lithium carbonate from recycled black mass into the battery supply chain for energy storage systems, defense applications, and electric vehicles. Founded in 2026 and privately held, R3 Lithium is headquartered at 9176 Industrial Drive NE, Covington, Georgia. For more information, visit www.r3lithium.com

Maintenance Technician - Electrical (Multi-Craft Support)

Department: Maintenance & Reliability
Reports To: Maintenance Manager
Location: Covington, GA
Classification: Full-Time, Hourly (Non-Exempt)

Position Summary

R3 Lithium is seeking an experienced and safety-focused Maintenance Technician - Electrical (Multi-Craft Support) to serve as the primary electrical maintenance resource for a growing lithium battery materials recovery and chemical processing facility. This role is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, and improving electrical systems that support critical production operations, utilities, and process equipment.

In addition to strong electrical expertise, the ideal candidate will possess a broad industrial maintenance background and be capable of supporting mechanical, instrumentation, and facility maintenance activities as operational needs require. Success in this role requires technical competence, sound judgment, a commitment to safety, and the ability to respond effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing and chemical processing environment.

This position plays a critical role in maximizing equipment reliability, minimizing downtime, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting the safe recovery of critical battery materials.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Electrical Maintenance (Primary Responsibility)

• Troubleshoot, repair, install, modify, and maintain industrial electrical systems supporting production and utility operations.
• Diagnose and resolve issues involving motors, motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), control circuits, transformers, power distribution systems, switchgear, lighting systems, and low-voltage equipment.
• Install, terminate, test, and commission electrical wiring, conduit systems, motors, instrumentation, and field devices in accordance with NEC requirements and company standards.
• Interpret electrical schematics, one-line diagrams, control drawings, wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, and P&IDs.
• Utilize diagnostic tools including multimeters, clamp meters, megohmmeters, thermal imaging equipment, and other electrical testing instruments to identify faults and verify repairs.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance activities to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Support electrical inspections, infrared thermography programs, motor testing, condition monitoring initiatives, and energy management efforts.
• Assist with startup, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization of new equipment installations and process improvements.
• Respond to electrical emergencies and equipment failures involving production equipment, shredding systems, packaging lines, utilities, water treatment systems, and tank farm operations.

Multi-Craft Maintenance Support

• Assist with maintenance and repair of pumps, motors, valves, agitators, conveyors, gearboxes, fans, compressors, and other rotating equipment.
• Support equipment alignment, lubrication, preventative maintenance inspections, and mechanical troubleshooting efforts.
• Provide basic instrumentation and controls support, including:
• • Sensor replacement
  • Calibration assistance
  • Loop checks
  • Impulse tubing maintenance
  • Instrument troubleshooting
• Support plant utility systems including:
• • Compressed air systems
  • Cooling towers
  • Water treatment equipment
  • Ventilation systems
  • Process support utilities
• Assist contractors, vendors, and engineering personnel during shutdowns, capital projects, and maintenance outages.
• Maintain spare parts inventories and assist in identifying critical replacement components.

Reliability & Continuous Improvement

• Execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities through the site CMMS.
• Complete work orders, inspection reports, equipment histories, and maintenance documentation accurately and on time.
• Participate in root cause failure analysis (RCFA) investigations to eliminate repeat equipment failures.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, safety, and operational efficiency.
• Support reliability-centered maintenance initiatives and continuous improvement programs.
• Work collaboratively with operations, engineering, and EHS personnel to maximize equipment performance and plant uptime.

Safety, Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture by following all company safety policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Follow all Process Safety Management (PSM), RCRA, OSHA, NFPA 70E, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space, hot work, and permit-required work practices.
• Perform electrical work safely using established arc flash protection and electrical safety procedures.
• Immediately report unsafe conditions, near misses, incidents, environmental concerns, and equipment integrity issues.
• Participate in Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), toolbox talks, emergency preparedness drills, incident investigations, and safety audits.
• Ensure compliance with applicable environmental regulations and hazardous materials handling requirements.
• Support 5S and housekeeping programs to maintain an organized, safe, and efficient workplace.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial electrical maintenance experience in a chemical plant, manufacturing facility, refinery, battery processing operation, metals processing facility, power generation plant, or similar industrial environment.
• Strong working knowledge of:
• • Motor controls
  • MCCs
  • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
  • 480V three-phase systems
  • Industrial power distribution
  • Electrical troubleshooting techniques
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic diagrams, P&IDs, one-line drawings, and OEM documentation.
• Demonstrated understanding of National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements and industrial electrical safety practices.
• Experience using electrical testing and troubleshooting equipment.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a team environment.
• Computer proficiency for CMMS, maintenance reporting, and work order management.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical degree, electrical apprenticeship, military technical training, or trade school certification.
• Experience in chemical processing, lithium battery recycling, hydrometallurgy, mining, metals refining, or other continuous process industries.
• Industrial instrumentation and controls experience.
• PLC troubleshooting experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent systems.
• Knowledge of process automation, SCADA, or Distributed Control Systems (DCS).
• Welding, fabrication, or machining experience.
• Forklift, aerial lift, and mobile equipment certifications.
• OSHA, NFPA 70E, HAZWOPER, or related industrial safety certifications.
• Licensed Electrician certification is a plus.

Physical & Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to safely work in a heavy industrial and chemical processing environment.
• Frequent standing, walking, climbing ladders, climbing stair towers, bending, reaching, kneeling, crouching, and working in confined spaces.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds independently and heavier loads using team lifts or mechanical assistance.
• Ability to work at elevated heights and outdoor locations in varying weather conditions.
• Exposure to industrial hazards including moving machinery, heat, cold, noise, chemicals, dust, and battery recycling materials.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment including:
• • Flame-resistant clothing (FR)
  • Hard hat
  • Safety glasses
  • Hearing protection
  • Chemical-resistant gloves
  • Steel-toed footwear
  • Respiratory protection as required
• Must be medically qualified to wear respiratory protection and meet site fit-for-duty requirements.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, and emergency callouts as business needs require.