Trades Careers: How To Work As A Maintenance Technician

Industrial machinery mechanics repair and maintain factory equipment and other industrial machinery.1 Industrial maintenance technology has its basis in engineering, and industrial maintenance technicians should be familiar with hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems as well as computers.2

Entry into the field of industrial maintenance may be made through higher education, a certificate, or an apprenticeship.

Learn more about industrial maintenance training, jobs, and other important facts.

What is Industrial Maintenance?

Industrial maintenance involves applying best practices to increase equipment uptime in manufacturing. When industrial maintenance, or plant maintenance, techs keep equipment working as required, manufacturers can optimize the production phase of the supply chain.4

Manufacturers know that keeping a team of experts for industrial maintenance services is crucial for running an efficient plant.

What Does an Industrial Maintenance Mechanic Do?

Industrial maintenance mechanics work in a variety of fields, all centered on machinery. They perform basic maintenance and repairs on machines. They check the performance of machinery, clean and lubricate them, perform basic diagnostics, and test damaged machine parts to determine whether major repairs are necessary.3

Machinery maintenance workers are tasked with following machine specifications and must adhere to maintenance schedules.

Day to day, an industrial maintenance mechanic job description may include being required to:4

• Adjust and calibrate machinery and equipment
• Clean and lubricate machinery or equipment
• Detect minor problems by performing basic diagnostic tests
• Disassemble equipment and machinery when there is a problem
• Move equipment and machinery
• Perform tests to make sure that machines are running smoothly
• Read technical manuals to understand controls and equipment
• Repair or replace malfunctioning or broken components
• Test malfunctioning machinery to determine the need for major repairs

Skills for Maintenance Technicians

Besides mechanical abilities and familiarity with tools and industrial equipment, industrial mechanics should be able to display these skills:6

• Attention to detail – They must be familiar with the routine operation of manufacturing equipment and quickly spot unusual occurrences. They must keep accurate and clear records of repairs, routine industrial maintenance testing, and troubleshooting.
• Information technology – They should be familiar with cross-team communication, database upkeep, logs, and reporting.
• Proactivity – They should be prepared to anticipate ongoing needs, carry out preventative checks and routine inspections, see potential issues, and take corrective measures. They may also be required to keep a stock of spare parts, ordering and replacing as necessary.
• Problem-solving – They must be able to work independently, knowing, or being able to source information to resolve issues with machinery. They may have to identify, isolate, and repair issues based on reports from other teams.
• Teamwork – They must be able to work with a maintenance team and others across the company to keep manufacturing line downtime to a minimum.
• Time management – They must be able to plan and execute routine maintenance activities within deadlines. They also must be able to respond quickly to troubleshooting requests and unexpected equipment issues.
• Verbal communication – They must be able to interpret maintenance issue reports and provide clear instruction or update about interventions or repairs.
• Written communication – They must be able to read and interpret maintenance documentation, manuals, and plans. They will also be required to keep documentation up to date to ensure compliance with internal and external manufacturing guidelines.

Why Become a Maintenance Technician

A love of working with your hands and an interest in machinery are good reasons to become an industrial maintenance technician. The job prospects for such workers are also another good reason.

Overall employment of industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights is expected to grow.6 The growth in automated manufacturing machinery will keep the need for maintenance techs high, especially for applicants with a broad range of skills in machine repair.