Industrial Maintenance Technician

Working Schedule

• Industrial Maintenance Technicians work full-time, including shifts that cover nights, weekends, and holidays. Overtime is sometimes required, especially during peak production periods or when urgent repairs are needed.

Typical Duties

• Perform routine inspections to ensure machinery is in good working order
• Use hand and power tools to conduct preventive maintenance aimed at preventing breakdowns
• Check equipment fluid levels, as necessary
• Clean, lubricate, and make minor adjustments to machinery, in accordance with manufacturer guidelines
• Use diagnostic equipment to troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues
• Repair or replace defective, damaged, or worn out parts.
• Maintain parts inventories
• Fabricate or grind parts to fit dimensions
• Perform basic wiring and welding as required
• Collaborate with other maintenance staff and production team members
• Assist in the installation of new equipment and machinery, following manufacturer specifications
• Calibrate and test equipment, if authorized to do so, to ensure optimal operation
• Provide training to junior technicians and machine operators
• Keep records of maintenance activities and issues on logs and work orders
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations and standards to avoid workplace injuries
• Mark equipment that is under repair or awaiting parts
• Tear down pieces that need to be moved or taken off-site
• Catalog parts carefully during disassembly

Additional Responsibilities

• Order supplies
• Prepare cost estimates
• Review technical manuals as needed
• Conduct tool and equipment inventory
• Ensure all testing tools are calibrated correctly prior to using them to test machines
• Prepare and use chemical cleaning products
• Practice all safety protocols to mitigate workplace mishaps
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment, as needed
• Report machinery statuses and maintenance activities to supervisors
• Suggest improvements to enhance equipment performance and reliability
• Stay up-to-date on maintenance techniques, tools, and relevant software 

Soft Skills

• Adaptability
• Analytical
• Attention to detail
• Coordination
• Evaluation skills
• Hand and finger dexterity
• Independent
• Observant
• Organization
• Patience
• Problem-solving
• Realistic
• Strength and stamina
• Strong reading skills
• Team player
• Time management

Technical Skills

Industrial Maintenance Technicians must be familiar with:

• Computerized maintenance management systems
• Diagnostic and precision tools
• Equipment maintenance, calibration, and repair
• Facilities management programs
• Industrial safety regulations
• Inventory management software
• Mechanical and electrical systems
• Programmable logic controllers
• Technical manual databases
• Technical manuals and blueprints
• Tools and equipment usage
• Welding and machining

• Automotive factories
• Commercial & industrial repair
• Construction
• Energy production facilities
• Food processing facilities
• Manufacturing plants
• Pharmaceutical plants
• Wholesale trade    

The role of Industrial Maintenance Technicians involves physical labor, working in confined spaces, and being exposed to workplace hazards like noise, smoke, fumes, moving parts, and sharp metal.

Technicians have to stay vigilant to avoid mishaps. They’ve also got to be very knowledgeable about the machines and equipment they work on, so they can keep everything up and running as much as possible.

Since downtime due to breakdowns can be so costly, a lot is riding on the diligence of these workers. They simply can’t afford to lose track of maintenance schedules or to forget to perform some critical preventive fix. When something does go wrong, they’ve got to be ready to address it immediately – or know who to contact to do repairs beyond their scope of duty! 

With advancements in technology, Industrial Maintenance Technicians are increasingly expected to work with sophisticated diagnostic tools and automated machinery.

Predictive maintenance, which uses data analytics to predict equipment failures before they occur, is getting more common every year. Technicians thus have to develop skills in data analysis and digital tools.

At the same time, the rise of automation and smart factories means that Industrial Maintenance Technicians need to be very familiar with programmable logic controllers and other automated systems. This shift is creating new opportunities for those who can combine traditional mechanical skills with knowledge of advanced technology.

Many Industrial Maintenance Technicians enjoyed tinkering with mechanical devices, fixing bikes, or disassembling gadgets to see how they work. They often had a natural curiosity about how things function, as well as a general knack for problem-solving. High school shop classes, science fairs, and hands-on projects likely played a significant role in their early interest in this career field!