Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fitter

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

A Fitter is a skilled tradesperson responsible for assembling, installing, maintaining, repairing and modifying mechanical components, machinery and structural systems in industrial, manufacturing, construction or field-service environments. The Fitter interprets engineering drawings and specifications, uses precision hand and power tools, performs alignments, and applies knowledge of welding, fabrication, hydraulics and pneumatics to ensure equipment reliability, safety and production continuity. This role demands strong mechanical aptitude, adherence to safety and quality standards, and the ability to collaborate with maintenance, engineering and operations teams.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Trade apprenticeship (Mechanical Fitting / Machining)
  • Mechanical Assembler or Fabricator
  • Maintenance Assistant / Apprentice Technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Fitter / Lead Fitter
  • Maintenance Technician / Mechanical Supervisor
  • Shutdown Coordinator / Maintenance Planner
  • Reliability Engineer / Engineering Technician

Lateral Moves:

  • Machinist / Toolmaker
  • Welding Technician / Fabrication Specialist
  • Field Service Technician / Commissioning Engineer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Read, interpret and act on engineering drawings, schematics, bills of materials (BOM), and technical specifications to accurately assemble, fit and install mechanical components and systems to precise tolerances.
  • Perform assembly, fitting and alignment of shafts, bearings, gears, couplings, conveyors and rotating equipment using shims, keys, presses and specialized alignment tools to manufacturer and engineering specifications.
  • Dismantle, inspect, diagnose and repair industrial machinery, pumps, compressors and production lines, identifying worn parts, recommending replacements and performing corrective repairs to restore full functionality.
  • Conduct precision measuring and quality verification using micrometers, vernier calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges and height gauges to ensure parts meet tolerance and geometric requirements.
  • Install, maintain and repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including cylinders, valves, hoses, fittings and actuators, performing leak diagnosis, component replacement and system flushing as needed.
  • Perform basic welding and metal fabrication tasks (MIG, TIG, brazing or stick welding where required) to modify, repair or fabricate machine components and structural supports while ensuring code and quality standards.
  • Machine, grind, cut, drill and finish metal parts using lathes, milling machines, bench grinders and power tools to correct dimensions and surface finish required for assembly and replacement parts.
  • Assemble and fit piping, flanges and fittings for air, water, oil or steam systems, ensuring proper sealing, torqueing, and adherence to piping schematics and pressure ratings.
  • Carry out scheduled preventive maintenance, lubrication, bearing replacement, belt and chain adjustments and other routine servicing to minimize unplanned downtime and extend equipment life.
  • Execute planned shutdown and turnaround work packages, including dismantling, inspection, refurbishment and reassembly of critical assets, while coordinating with planners and electricians for safe sequencing.
  • Balance rotating assemblies, align motors and gearboxes with laser or dial indicator alignment methods, and document alignment readings to ensure vibration and wear reduction.
  • Fabricate and install machine guards, brackets, frames and fixtures to meet safety and ergonomic requirements and support continuous production processes.
  • Replace and fit seals, gaskets, O-rings, and mechanical seals; apply correct torque sequences and record seal material and specifications for traceability.
  • Use rigging equipment (slings, chains, hoists, cranes) to safely lift, position and install heavy components, following proper lifting plans and load calculations.
  • Maintain accurate maintenance records, job cards and parts lists; record serial numbers, part codes and corrective actions in CMMS or maintenance logs for auditability and inventory control.
  • Work with production, engineering and procurement to source replacement parts, recommend design improvements and identify opportunities for cost reduction and reliability gains.
  • Troubleshoot mechanical failures under time pressure using root cause analysis, methodical testing, and collaboration with electrical and control teams to isolate multi-disciplinary faults.
  • Adhere to lockout-tagout (LOTO), confined space, hot work, and other safety procedures; participate in safety audits and pre-task risk assessments to maintain a zero-harm culture.
  • Perform on-site commissioning and start-up support for new or modified equipment, verifying mechanical integrity, clearances and functional operation prior to handover.
  • Train, mentor and assist junior fitters, apprentices and contractors on best practices, correct use of tools and equipment, and organizational standards for workmanship and safety.
  • Inspect, repair and maintain precision tooling, jigs and fixtures; ensure calibration and condition are suitable for high-quality production and rework tasks.
  • Participate in continuous improvement and reliability initiatives such as 5S, Kaizen and root-cause corrective action (RCA) to reduce waste, increase uptime and improve mean time between failures (MTBF).

Secondary Functions

  • Support spare parts inventory management by recommending stock levels, identifying critical spares and assisting with receiving and storing mechanical components.
  • Assist engineering in creating and updating maintenance procedures, mechanical work instructions and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Provide hands-on support during emergency breakdowns and respond to on-call schedules to restore critical equipment quickly and safely.
  • Participate in cross-functional teams for capital projects, providing constructability feedback, installation sequencing and mechanical scope estimations.
  • Conduct periodic safety and condition inspections, report hazards and contribute to incident investigations with factual mechanical assessments.
  • Help coordinate contractors and external service providers during heavy maintenance, ensuring compliance with site processes and quality expectations.
  • Support continuous training programs by documenting best practices, facilitating toolbox talks and providing competency sign-offs for mechanical tasks.
  • Assist with cost-control initiatives by identifying re-usable parts, recommending in-house repairs and suggesting design changes to reduce maintenance complexity.
  • Contribute to environmental and regulatory compliance by ensuring proper disposal of oils, coolants and waste materials and following local environmental procedures.
  • Act as mechanical subject-matter expert during site audits, client walk-downs and handover meetings to communicate technical status and support acceptance testing.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert ability to read and interpret mechanical engineering drawings, assembly drawings, P&IDs, BOMs and schematic diagrams.
  • Proficient use of precision measuring instruments: micrometers, vernier calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges, and height gauges.
  • Hands-on experience with hydraulic and pneumatic systems troubleshooting, repair and component replacement.
  • Welding and fabrication skills (MIG/TIG/Stick/brazing) at a level required for field repairs and structural modifications.
  • Operation and basic programming familiarity with CNC lathes, milling machines or manual machining equipment for machining repairs and part fabrication.
  • Proficiency in mechanical alignment techniques including laser alignment and dial indicator procedures for shafts, motors and gearboxes.
  • Knowledge of rotating equipment maintenance: bearings, seals, couplings, gearboxes, belts and chains.
  • Experience with rigging, lifting plans, hoists and safe handling of heavy components and mechanical assemblies.
  • Competence with torque tools, fastening systems and correct bolting procedures including torque sequencing and tensioning.
  • Familiarity with CMMS (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, MaintStar) for recording work orders, preventive maintenance and parts transactions.
  • Understanding of LOTO procedures, confined space entry and other relevant health, safety and environmental regulations and certifications.
  • Basic electrical and PLC awareness relevant to mechanical interfaces and interlocks (ability to coordinate with electricians/control techs).
  • Ability to fabricate fixtures, jigs and custom parts to support production and maintenance activities.

Soft Skills

  • Strong problem-solving skills with structured troubleshooting and root-cause analysis mindset.
  • Clear verbal and written communication skills to describe mechanical faults, prepare reports and liaise with engineering and operations.
  • High attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship and dimensional accuracy.
  • Team player who collaborates across maintenance, production and engineering teams to meet operational goals.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to manage reactive maintenance, planned work and project tasks effectively.
  • Safety-first attitude with the ability to influence peers and enforce safe work practices.
  • Adaptability and resilience to work in fast-paced production or field service environments, often under tight deadlines.
  • Coaching and mentoring skills to support apprentices and less-experienced technicians.
  • Customer-service orientation when dealing with internal stakeholders or external clients during commissioning and shutdowns.
  • Initiative and continuous improvement mindset to suggest and implement reliability enhancements and cost-saving measures.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent with relevant vocational courses in mechanical trades.

Preferred Education:

  • Trade certificate, technical diploma or completion of an accredited Mechanical Fitter / Millwright apprenticeship program.
  • Additional certifications in welding, hydraulics/pneumatics, rigging, or occupational safety are advantageous.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Industrial Mechanics / Fitting
  • Welding and Fabrication Technology
  • Maintenance Engineering / Millwright Studies

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry-level: 0–2 years (apprentice or trainee)
  • Mid-level: 2–5 years of hands-on fitting, maintenance or fabrication experience
  • Senior-level: 5+ years experience in mechanical maintenance, shutdowns and complex repairs

Preferred:

  • 3–7 years working as a Fitter, Mechanical Technician, Millwright or similar role in a manufacturing, processing plant, construction or field service environment.
  • Demonstrated experience on rotating equipment, conveyors, pumps, gearboxes and pressure systems; experience in planned shutdowns and commissioning preferred.
  • Certifications or coursework in welding, hydraulics, rigging, LOTO, and CMMS usage strongly preferred.
Explore More Careers