
Head Electrician
NRG Energy · La Porte, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $100,000 / year
- La Porte, TX

Get paid while you job-hunt
Fully remote work, hiring this week. Mercor's average is $124/hr.
Job highlights
- Lead electrical maintenance in a power plant.
- Supervise crew in supervisor's absence.
- Perform complex electrical equipment repairs.
- Ensure safety and environmental compliance.
- Requires 10 years of industrial electrical experience.
About the role
Head Electrician
Welcome to the intersection of energy and home services. At NRG, we’re all about propelling the next generation of leaders forward. We are driven by our passion to create a smarter, cleaner and more connected future. We deliver innovative solutions that make our customers’ lives easier—helping them power, protect, and intelligently manage their homes and businesses. To do this, we need creative and talented people to join our company.
We offer a dynamic work environment and a unified and inclusive culture. NRG fosters a strong sense of belonging that leads to better collaboration and business performance. Our company programs are designed to help employees develop the skills they need for success now and in the future. In everything we do, we aim to champion our employees and bring value to our customers, investors and society.
More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG on Facebook, LinkedIn, and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.
Job Summary
Provide knowledgeable electrical maintenance support to maintain and repair equipment in an electrical generating power plant; performs Supervisor duties during absence of the Supervisor.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities
- Recognize safety hazards and follows safety guidelines for personal protection, protection of fellow workers and the protection of the public.
- Demonstrate leadership capabilities and acts as a positive role model, accepts responsibility for crew activities.
- Assist in providing skill enhancement training to personnel in program, and training journeymen electricians.
- Apply knowledge of environmental rules and regulations to all work situations.
- Read and interpret instruction manuals, blueprints and control system drawings; apply knowledge to daily tasks.
- Complete written and electronic records (i.e. work orders, calibration sheets, timecards, material requests) required to document the work in progress and as it is completed.
- Inspect, troubleshoot, test, repair, remove and install as necessary to maintain equipment such as generators, transformers, breakers, switchgear, motors and auxiliary electrical equipment such as freeze protection, overhead cranes, cabling and power feeds, and prepares labor and material estimates.
Working Conditions
- Power Plant Environment-Work both inside and outside in all temperatures and climate conditions in accordance with Heat Stress procedures.
- Around large rotating equipment energized electrical equipment in high noise areas, and/or in confined places, on elevations in excess of 250 feet, or from platforms at heights of 5 feet or greater.
- Must be prepared to work irregular or rotating shifts and respond to emergency callout 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
- Ability to work in mentally stressful environments: must be able to react to crises where immediate action is required to correct or curtail potentially damaging or hazardous situations.
- Work with and around hazardous and non-hazardous materials.
- Employee must arrange own transportation to plant and may be assigned to work at another location at the Company’s discretion.
Minimum Requirements
- High School diploma, GED or equivalent.
- Ten (10) years (including apprenticeship) of industrial electric maintenance experience in the repair, inspection, testing, installation and/or maintenance of related power plant equipment including inspection and preventative maintenance, troubleshooting and diagnostics.
- Valid Drivers’ License.
Preferred Qualifications
- Familiarity with San Jacinto plant equipment and systems.
Additional Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (KSAs)
- Knowledge of electricity, voltage and current relationships.
- Knowledge of plant operations, equipment and skill area to prioritize and schedule tasks. Pays attention to detail and demonstrates good organizational skills in daily decision making.
- Knowledgeable of power plant electrical systems and able to do switching to clear circuits for equipment maintenance safely and correctly.
- Knowledge of electrical maintenance requirements used to establish and maintain scheduled electrical maintenance program for the plant’s equipment.
- Ability to demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and listening ability to communicate effectively with management, co-workers, clients, and vendors.
- Ability to produce high quality work with a minimum of supervision or direction.
- Ability to coordinate work activities with other crafts or contractors.
- Ability to work successfully in a team environment; supports other crafts and vendors.
- Ability to use a personal computer and associated software.
- Ability to follow, interpret and act on written and verbal job instructions and reports, technical manuals and data.
- Ability to operate company’s vehicles and heavy equipment and maintain operating licenses and certifications. TDL required.
- Ability to use hand tools and power tools to repair plant equipment.
- Ability to use basic mathematics including algebra & geometry to take measurements and perform computations required for installation and calibration of equipment.
- Ability to operate test equipment such as voltmeters, meggers, ammeters, high potential test equipment.
- Ability to diagnose and correct electrical equipment troubles and repairs or recommends major repairs.
- Ability to perform routine and emergency repairs of plant equipment.
- Ability to perform preventive and corrective maintenance on power plant electrical equipment and wiring.
- Ability to perform skilled electromechanical repair work on plant equipment and instruments.
- Ability to inspect, repair, maintain, electrical and/or electromechanical operating and control systems, equipment and fixtures, including instrumentation and heating and cooling systems.
- Ability to inspect, repair, maintain, wiring and lighting systems, electric meters, electrical control equipment, transformers, AC and DC power equipment, cranes, outlets and panels.
- Ability to clean, test and install batteries.
- Ability to perform electrical tests on Cathodic Protection, install cables and anodes.
- Ability to set up and operate rigging apparatus for installing or removing equipment.
Physical Requirements
- Climb stairways, ladders, and work from aerial devices.
- Daily work expectation requires ability to perform tasks by walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, crouching, squatting, twisting, pushing, pulling, shoveling, climbing, and working with hand tools (up to 25 pounds) in position above and below head, and extended from body to complete repairs.
- Lift, carry, position and use tools and/or equipment (weighing up to 50 lbs.) in awkward positions, swing various weights of sledgehammers, stoop and bend to reach valves, pull on chain-falls or come-a-longs.
- Ability to twist the body and neck while driving company vehicles or operating company equipment.
- Performance of duties may cause frequent jarring of the body.
- Must be able to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) as required i.e....steel-toed boots, respirators, goggles, safety glasses etc.
- Have ability to discern and respond to verbal and auditory signals.
- Ability to discern assorted colors.
NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Protected Veteran Status/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.
EEO is the Law Poster (The poster can be found at http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/poster_screen_reader_optimized.pdf)
Official description on file with Talent.
Key skills/competency
- Electrical Maintenance
- Power Plant Operations
- Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
- Leadership
- Safety Procedures
- Blueprint Reading
- Equipment Installation
- Preventative Maintenance
- Technical Training
- Electrical Systems
Skills & topics
- Head Electrician
- Electrical Maintenance
- Power Plant Electrician
- Industrial Electrician
- Journeyman Electrician
- Electrical Repair
- Troubleshooting
- Diagnostics
- Leadership
- Safety
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight your 10+ years of industrial electrical maintenance experience, power plant knowledge, and safety record.
- Showcase leadership: Emphasize any experience in supervising teams or training junior electricians.
- Demonstrate technical skills: Detail your proficiency with troubleshooting, diagnostics, installation, and repair of power plant electrical equipment.
- Understand the environment: Be prepared to discuss your experience working in demanding power plant conditions and your commitment to safety.
- Apply online: Visit the NRG Energy careers page to submit your application for the Head Electrician role.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What are the minimum experience requirements for the Head Electrician position at NRG Energy?
- The minimum requirement for the Head Electrician role at NRG Energy is ten years of industrial electric maintenance experience, including apprenticeship, focused on the repair, inspection, testing, installation, and/or maintenance of power plant equipment. This includes experience with inspection, preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and diagnostics.
- What kind of working conditions can I expect as a Head Electrician at NRG Energy?
- As a Head Electrician at NRG Energy, you will work in a power plant environment, both inside and outside, in all temperatures and climate conditions. This includes exposure to loud noise, working at heights (up to 250 feet), in confined spaces, and around energized electrical equipment and hazardous materials. You must also be prepared for irregular shifts and 24/7 emergency callouts.
- Does NRG Energy require a valid driver's license for the Head Electrician role?
- Yes, a valid Driver's License is a minimum requirement for the Head Electrician position at NRG Energy. You may also be required to operate company vehicles and maintain operating licenses and certifications.
- What level of education is required for the Head Electrician job at NRG Energy?
- A High School diploma, GED, or equivalent is the minimum educational requirement for the Head Electrician position at NRG Energy. Your extensive experience will be the primary focus.
- What are some key skills and abilities needed for the Head Electrician role at NRG Energy?
- Key skills include a strong knowledge of electricity, plant operations, and electrical systems; the ability to troubleshoot and repair complex equipment; leadership capabilities; strong interpersonal and communication skills; attention to detail; and the ability to work independently and in a team environment. Proficiency with testing equipment and basic mathematics is also crucial.
- Will I be expected to train other electricians as a Head Electrician at NRG Energy?
- Yes, as a Head Electrician, you will be expected to assist in providing skill enhancement training to personnel in the program and to journeymen electricians, demonstrating your leadership and mentoring capabilities.
- How does NRG Energy approach safety for its Head Electrician role?
- NRG Energy places a strong emphasis on safety. Head Electricians are expected to recognize safety hazards, follow all safety guidelines for personal and team protection, and apply knowledge of environmental rules and regulations to all work situations.