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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for an Industrial Mechanic Welder

💰 $55,000 - $90,000

Skilled TradesManufacturingIndustrial MaintenanceFabrication

🎯 Role Definition

The Industrial Mechanic Welder is a highly skilled, hands-on professional who serves as the backbone of industrial operations. This dual-trade role is a blend of a precision welder and an expert mechanic, responsible for ensuring that all plant machinery, equipment, and infrastructure are installed, maintained, and repaired to the highest standards of safety and efficiency. You are the go-to problem-solver, a critical thinker who can diagnose a complex mechanical failure one moment and fabricate a custom replacement part the next. This position is vital for minimizing downtime, maximizing productivity, and upholding a culture of safety and reliability within a demanding manufacturing or production environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Maintenance Technician Apprentice
  • Journeyman Welder or Fabricator
  • Junior Maintenance Mechanic

Advancement To:

  • Lead Industrial Mechanic / Senior Welder
  • Maintenance Supervisor or Team Lead
  • Plant Maintenance Manager or Reliability Engineer

Lateral Moves:

  • Millwright
  • Pipefitter
  • Quality Control / Welding Inspector

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics on a wide range of industrial equipment, including conveyors, pumps, gearboxes, hydraulic presses, and pneumatic systems, to identify root causes of malfunctions.
  • Execute complex mechanical repairs and rebuilds on production machinery, ensuring minimal disruption to operational schedules.
  • Proficiently perform various welding processes, including SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), and GTAW (TIG), on different metals such as carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum for both repairs and fabrication.
  • Read, interpret, and work from complex blueprints, technical drawings, and schematics to fabricate, assemble, and install equipment or structural components.
  • Conduct preventative and predictive maintenance routines on all facility machinery, documenting findings and recommending corrective actions to prevent future breakdowns.
  • Safely install, align, and commission new industrial machinery and equipment according to manufacturer specifications and engineering plans.
  • Perform precision cutting and fitting of materials using tools like plasma cutters, oxy-acetylene torches, grinders, and saws.
  • Maintain and repair hydraulic and pneumatic systems, including troubleshooting valves, cylinders, pumps, and compressors.
  • Strictly adhere to all safety protocols, particularly Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, when performing maintenance and repair tasks.
  • Operate machine shop equipment such as lathes, milling machines, drill presses, and surface grinders to create or modify parts to exact tolerances.
  • Respond promptly to emergency breakdown calls, assess the situation quickly, and implement effective solutions to restore operations safely.
  • Conduct structural steel repairs and fabrication for facility infrastructure, platforms, handrails, and equipment supports.
  • Inspect and test completed welds and repairs to ensure they meet quality standards, structural integrity, and code requirements.
  • Collaborate closely with production supervisors, engineers, and operators to understand equipment issues and contribute to continuous improvement efforts.
  • Manage a spare parts inventory for critical machinery, initiating purchase orders for necessary components to ensure their availability.
  • Assemble and disassemble heavy, complex machinery for major overhauls, repairs, or relocation projects.
  • Document all maintenance activities, repairs, and parts usage meticulously in a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
  • Utilize rigging and lifting equipment, such as overhead cranes, hoists, and forklifts, to safely move and position heavy components and machinery.
  • Conduct root cause analysis investigations on recurring equipment failures to develop and implement long-term solutions.
  • Modify existing equipment to enhance operational efficiency, improve safety features, or adapt to new production requirements.

Secondary Functions

  • Mentor and provide on-the-job training to apprentices and junior-level maintenance technicians.
  • Actively participate in continuous improvement programs, Kaizen events, and 5S initiatives to enhance workplace efficiency and safety.
  • Assist with general facility maintenance and repair projects as directed by the maintenance supervisor.
  • Provide technical input and recommendations during the planning phase for new equipment acquisitions and installations.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced Welding Proficiency: Expertise in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW techniques, with relevant certifications (e.g., AWS D1.1) highly desired.
  • Blueprint & Schematic Interpretation: The ability to read and understand complex mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic diagrams and technical drawings.
  • Mechanical Systems Troubleshooting: Deep knowledge of power transmission systems, including bearings, gearboxes, chains, and belts.
  • Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems: Proven ability to diagnose and repair fluid power systems.
  • Metal Fabrication: Skill in using shears, brakes, torches, and plasma cutters to shape and assemble metal components.
  • Machining: Competency in operating lathes, mills, and grinders to produce precision parts.
  • Rigging & Lifting: Certified or experienced in safely operating cranes, forklifts, and other heavy lifting equipment.
  • Preventative Maintenance (PM) & CMMS: Experience executing PM schedules and using maintenance management software to log work.
  • Industrial Safety Procedures: In-depth understanding and application of LOTO, confined space entry, and hot work permits.
  • Basic Electrical Knowledge: Ability to safely troubleshoot simple electrical circuits, motors, and controls (e.g., using a multimeter).

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: A strong analytical mindset to diagnose complex issues under pressure.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in both mechanical and welding tasks to ensure quality and safety.
  • Self-Motivation: The ability to work independently with minimal supervision and manage time effectively.
  • Teamwork & Communication: Can collaborate effectively with team members, engineers, and operators to achieve common goals.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to pivot between planned maintenance and urgent, unplanned repairs.
  • Safety-First Mindset: A deep-seated commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for oneself and others.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or Associate's Degree from a vocational or technical college in Industrial Maintenance Technology, Welding Technology, or a related field.
  • Completion of a formal apprenticeship program.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Industrial Maintenance Technology
  • Welding Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of demonstrated experience as a mechanic and welder in an industrial, manufacturing, or heavy-duty production environment.

Preferred: 5+ years of experience, including work with conveyors, hydraulic systems, and production machinery. Holding current welding certifications (e.g., AWS, ASME) is a significant advantage.

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