Job Description
Job Title:  Equipment Specialist - Richmond, VA
Posting Start Date:  11/12/25
Job Description: 

Together We Innovate. Together We Change.

 

Are you seeking an opportunity to use your hands-on technical skills to diagnose and tackle real world problems in a fast-paced manufacturing environment? Then we have an opportunity for you! 

 

We are seeking an Equipment Specialist (Electrical Support) to join our U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company (USSTC) team in Richmond, VA.  

 

You will be responsible for providing equipment and technical support to manufacturing operations, primarily in our Richmond production facility, assisting in optimization and training efforts, as well as serving as a technical resource for new solutions to meet our business objectives and improve systems and processes for our manufacturing operations maximizing productivity across assets and drive out system losses leveraging Integrated Work Systems (IWS).  

 

What you will be doing:  

  • Apply specific electrical and process knowledge to analyze and troubleshoot process and equipment problems in support of factory maintenance personnel. 
  • Serve as the subject matter expert on processing equipment to support plant operations 
  • Apply problem solving techniques to facilitate design improvements for methods, processes, products, systems, documentation, and/or equipment. 
  • Assist in developing and recommending spare parts lists for machinery, technical alternatives, and design improvements. 
  • Use specialized knowledge of machinery or process to improve the performance of maintenance personnel by providing formal and informal training, writing maintenance alerts, and developing specialized documentation. 
  • Assist in the development and execution of test plans and evaluations. 
  • Help prepare and maintain project schedules, estimates, and documentation. 
  • Participate in technical meetings with OEM's to resolve problems or issues with machinery. 
  • Work with approved contractors and vendors to procure and install equipment and/or sub-components for process improvement, equipment repair and/or replacement.  
  • Perform all job functions and activities in a safe manner. 
  • Accountability for maintenance planning, scheduling, and craft coordination to improve and sustain equipment availability and ensure compliance to preventive maintenance program.  
  • Problem solving complex issues related to mixing and drying equipment, as well as dust collectors, thermal oxidizers, and other specialized and automated equipment. 

 

What we want you to have:  

  • Associates degree in a technical field preferred, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in electrical and process equipment troubleshooting. 
  • A minimum of 5 years’ experience with processing equipment and programmable logic controllers. 
  • Strong familiarity with computer equipment and applications such as spreadsheets, databases, word processors, and computerized maintenance management systems. 
  • Familiarity with common test, measurement and diagnostic equipment. 
  • Ability to troubleshoot PLC controlled processing equipment. 
  • Familiarity with Human Machine Interfaces 
  • Able to bend, crawl and climb to inspect equipment.  
  • Must be willing to work backshift and/or weekend schedule as needed. 

Altria is a Fortune 500 company that has a leading portfolio of products for U.S. adult tobacco and nicotine consumers 21+. For decades we’ve been leaders in the tobacco industry, but the industry is evolving - and so are we. Our Vision is Moving Beyond Smoking™.

At Altria, we celebrate the power of diverse teams working together to shape our future. Each Altria company is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing individuals with criminal records, including formerly incarcerated individuals and individuals with conviction records, a fair chance at employment. Join us as we work together to shape a better future for adult tobacco consumers, our employees, and our shareholders.

Altria is the parent company of Philip Morris USA, John Middleton, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, Helix Innovations, and NJOY. Altria complements its tobacco portfolio with equity investments in Anheuser-Busch InBev and Cronos Group.

Learn more about Altria at www.altria.com and follow us on LinkedIn.