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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Internal Technician

💰 $40,000 - $70,000

MaintenanceFacilitiesTechnical SupportEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

An Internal Technician is a hands-on technical professional responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing, and optimizing facility equipment, production machinery, and internal systems. This role blends mechanical, electrical, and basic IT skills to ensure uptime, safety, and efficiency across facilities. Ideal candidates are detail-oriented, safety-conscious, and capable of translating business needs into pragmatic maintenance actions. Keywords: internal technician, maintenance technician, equipment repair, preventive maintenance, CMMS, troubleshooting.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Junior Maintenance Technician or Apprentice Maintenance Mechanic
  • Facilities Helper or General Laborer with cross-training
  • Electronics or HVAC Technician with basic field experience

Advancement To:

  • Senior Maintenance Technician
  • Facilities Supervisor or Maintenance Supervisor
  • Reliability Technician / Maintenance Planner
  • Maintenance Engineer / Process Technician

Lateral Moves:

  • Field Service Technician
  • Controls/PLC Technician
  • Safety & Compliance Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance on production equipment, HVAC systems, electrical panels, and plumbing systems using established checklists and manufacturer specifications to reduce unplanned downtime and extend equipment life.
  • Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical failures, electrical faults, PLC logic errors, and pneumatic/hydraulic issues using multimeters, oscilloscopes, portable calibrators, and diagnostic software, then implement corrective repairs with minimal disruption to operations.
  • Complete accurate work orders and maintenance logs in the company CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System), recording root-cause analysis, parts used, labor hours, and recommendations for corrective action or capital replacement.
  • Perform scheduled and emergency repairs to motors, pumps, conveyors, gearboxes, bearings, belts, and couplings, ensuring repairs meet OEM tolerances and factory safety specifications.
  • Calibrate instrumentation and process sensors (temperature, pressure, flow, level) to ensure product quality and process control, documenting calibration certificates and traceability where required.
  • Install, wire, and test electrical equipment up to specified voltage levels, following lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and local electrical code; coordinate with licensed electricians for high-voltage or permit-required work.
  • Troubleshoot and repair basic PLC and control system issues, working with controls engineers to implement firmware updates, ladder logic changes, and I/O diagnostics.
  • Fabricate and modify brackets, guards, and small components on-site using hand tools, MIG/TIG welding, grinders, and conventional machine shop equipment to support rapid repairs and safety improvements.
  • Manage spare parts inventory for assigned systems: track critical spares, reorder levels, and lead times; coordinate with procurement to ensure parts availability and cost-effective stocking.
  • Perform root cause failure analysis (RCFA) for recurring equipment problems, propose countermeasures, and drive continuous improvement projects to increase overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
  • Support facility projects, including equipment moves, new equipment installations, and process changeovers by providing technical input, pre-installation checks, and final validation testing.
  • Conduct safety inspections of tools, ladders, scaffolding, and PPE; immediately report hazards, remove defective equipment from service, and participate in incident investigations with safety teams.
  • Lead or participate in shutdowns and turnarounds: plan tasks, sequence activities, coordinate subcontractors, and ensure work completed to quality and safety standards within the allotted downtime.
  • Provide technical guidance and on-the-job training to operators and junior technicians on proper use, troubleshooting, and basic maintenance procedures to reduce operator-induced failures.
  • Maintain building systems including lighting, emergency power systems, access controls, and environmental control systems; coordinate with vendors for warranty and specialized repairs.
  • Implement energy-saving and reliability initiatives such as motor upgrades, VFD installations, and insulation improvements; collect and analyze data to demonstrate cost and uptime benefits.
  • Respond to internal service requests and prioritize work based on safety, operational impact, and regulatory compliance; escalate issues that require engineering or management decisions.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements (OSHA, NFPA, local building codes) and environmental controls (spill response, wastewater, emissions) by maintaining documentation and participating in audits.
  • Prepare and maintain technical documentation: wiring diagrams, as-built drawings, service manuals, and SOPs (standard operating procedures) so that technical knowledge is preserved and accessible.
  • Support IT/AV and low-voltage infrastructure in collaboration with IT staff: troubleshooting networked devices, access control readers, and manufacturing execution systems that interface with equipment.
  • Coordinate and supervise external contractors and vendors for specialty services; verify scope, safety orientation, insurance, and quality of delivered work before acceptance.
  • Conduct periodic lifecycle assessments and recommend capital investments or refurbishment plans that align with budget cycles and long-term reliability roadmaps.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and 5S-compliant work area; ensure tools and consumables are properly stored, labeled, and secured to improve technician efficiency and safety.

Secondary Functions

  • Support facility documentation requests, including parts lists, BOM updates, and maintenance history for regulatory audits or insurance inquiries.
  • Assist in ad-hoc project work such as layout reconfigurations, minor construction tasks, and ergonomic improvements to workstations.
  • Contribute to the organization’s preventive maintenance program by suggesting schedule adjustments based on runtime data and failure trends.
  • Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams to translate operational pain points into sustainable technical solutions.
  • Participate in continuous improvement (Kaizen) workshops and provide technical expertise to quantify benefits and implement small-scale process improvements.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Preventive maintenance planning and execution on mechanical, electrical, and HVAC systems.
  • Hands-on troubleshooting of motors, pumps, gearboxes, bearings, belts, and conveyor systems.
  • Electrical wiring, motor control circuits, and starter/VFD installation and troubleshooting.
  • Experience with PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent) and basic ladder logic diagnostics.
  • Use of CMMS (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, UpKeep, Maintenance Connection) for work order management.
  • Instrument calibration and use of test equipment: multimeter, clamp meter, thermometer, manometer, and oscilloscope.
  • Pneumatics and hydraulics maintenance: valve replacement, seal repair, pressure troubleshooting.
  • Welding and fabrication skills (MIG/TIG, oxy-fuel cutting) and basic machine shop competencies.
  • Familiarity with lockout/tagout (LOTO), NFPA 70E electrical safety, and OSHA regulatory requirements.
  • Reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and P&IDs.
  • Basic network and low-voltage troubleshooting for connected devices and building automation systems.
  • Inventory and spare parts management, including understanding lead times and critical spares.
  • Use of standard hand and power tools safely and efficiently; familiarity with torque specs and alignment procedures.

Soft Skills

  • Strong troubleshooting mindset with methodical problem-solving and root-cause analysis abilities.
  • Clear verbal and written communication: create concise work order notes, SOPs, and handover documents.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance emergency repairs with scheduled maintenance.
  • Team-oriented attitude with the ability to work cross-functionally with production, engineering, and safety teams.
  • Attention to detail and quality focus when performing repairs, testing, and documentation.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new equipment, controls platforms, and diagnostic tools.
  • Customer-service orientation when supporting internal stakeholders and production teams.
  • Proactive safety mindset; capable of identifying hazards and stopping unsafe work.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or GED with relevant technical coursework or vocational training.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or technical diploma in Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, HVAC, or Electronics.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology
  • Industrial Maintenance / Mechatronics
  • HVAC / Refrigeration
  • Electronics and Controls

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of hands-on maintenance, facilities, or production support experience.

Preferred:

  • 3–5 years in a manufacturing, warehousing, or facilities maintenance role with documented experience in preventive maintenance and CMMS use.
  • Certifications such as OSHA 10/30, NFPA 70E, EPA refrigerant handling, forklift operator, or relevant trade certifications (electrical, HVAC, welding) are a plus.
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