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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Red Seal Millwright

💰 $38 - $52 per hour

Skilled TradesMaintenanceManufacturingIndustrial Mechanic

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly skilled and safety-oriented Red Seal Millwright to join a dynamic industrial team. As a cornerstone of the maintenance department, the Millwright is responsible for ensuring the optimal performance, reliability, and safety of all plant machinery and mechanical equipment. This role involves complex troubleshooting, precision installation, and proactive preventative maintenance to minimize downtime and maximize operational efficiency. The ideal candidate is a proactive problem-solver with a deep understanding of mechanical systems, including hydraulics, pneumatics, and power transmissions, who thrives in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Millwright Apprentice
  • Industrial Mechanic Helper
  • Machinist or Welder with cross-training

Advancement To:

  • Maintenance Supervisor or Lead Hand
  • Maintenance Planner / Scheduler
  • Reliability Engineer
  • Project Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Stationary Engineer
  • Technical Trainer
  • Field Service Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform advanced troubleshooting and diagnostics on complex mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems to identify root causes of equipment failure.
  • Execute the installation, alignment, and commissioning of new industrial machinery and production equipment according to blueprints, schematics, and manufacturer specifications.
  • Conduct preventative and predictive maintenance tasks on all plant equipment, including conveyors, pumps, gearboxes, presses, and automated systems, to ensure operational reliability.
  • Read and interpret complex engineering blueprints, diagrams, and schematics to perform maintenance, repairs, and new installations.
  • Dismantle, overhaul, and reassemble heavy machinery and industrial equipment using a variety of hand and power tools, hoists, and rigging equipment.
  • Fabricate custom parts and components as needed using machine shop equipment such as lathes, milling machines, and grinders to facilitate repairs.
  • Perform precision tasks such as fitting bearings, aligning gears and shafts, and attaching motors, ensuring all components meet exacting tolerances.
  • Execute various welding techniques (MIG, TIG, Stick) for fabrication and repair of machine guards, frames, and structural components.
  • Maintain and repair fluid power systems, including troubleshooting hydraulic and pneumatic circuits, and replacing pumps, valves, and cylinders.
  • Collaborate with the production team to diagnose and resolve equipment issues in real-time, minimizing impact on production schedules.
  • Document all maintenance activities, repairs, and parts usage accurately and thoroughly within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
  • Champion and adhere to all company safety policies and procedures, including Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO), confined space entry, and hot work permits.
  • Operate mobile equipment such as forklifts, scissor lifts, and boom lifts in a safe and efficient manner to access and transport equipment.
  • Analyze recurring equipment failures and participate in root cause analysis (RCA) meetings to recommend and implement permanent corrective actions.
  • Inspect and assess the condition of mechanical components, providing detailed reports and recommendations for replacement or refurbishment.
  • Manage small-scale maintenance projects from conception to completion, including scoping, planning, and execution.
  • Respond promptly to emergency breakdown calls during and outside of regular work hours to restore equipment to service.
  • Mentor and provide technical guidance to apprentices and junior members of the maintenance team.
  • Perform rigging and hoisting of heavy equipment and materials, calculating loads and ensuring safe lifting practices are followed.
  • Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, suggesting process enhancements to improve equipment uptime, safety, and departmental efficiency.
  • Install and maintain power transmission systems, including belts, chains, and gear drives, ensuring proper tension and alignment.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist in managing the inventory of spare parts, tools, and materials, ensuring critical components are on hand to prevent extended downtime.
  • Participate actively in plant safety committee meetings and contribute to the development of safer work procedures.
  • Collaborate with engineers and external vendors on equipment upgrades and capital projects.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area in the maintenance shop and on the plant floor, following 5S principles.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Red Seal Millwright (433A) Certification: Provincial or Interprovincial Red Seal Journeyperson Millwright ticket is mandatory.
  • Blueprint & Schematic Interpretation: Advanced ability to read and understand complex mechanical drawings, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
  • Welding & Fabrication: Proficiency in SMAW (Stick), GMAW (MIG), and GTAW (TIG) welding techniques; CWB certification is a strong asset.
  • Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems: In-depth knowledge of troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining fluid power systems.
  • Power Transmission: Expertise in the installation and maintenance of gearboxes, bearings, couplings, belts, and chain drive systems.
  • Rigging & Hoisting: Certified and experienced in safe rigging practices and the operation of cranes and other lifting devices.
  • Machine Shop Operations: Skilled in using lathes, mills, drill presses, and grinders for fabrication and repair.
  • CMMS Proficiency: Experience using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (e.g., SAP, Maximo, Fiix) for work order management.
  • PLC Troubleshooting: Basic ability to troubleshoot and diagnose faults on PLC-controlled equipment is highly desirable.
  • Precision Alignment: Proficient in using laser alignment tools and dial indicators for aligning shafts, motors, and pumps.

Soft Skills

  • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and diagnostic skills to efficiently resolve complex mechanical issues.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interacting with team members, operators, and management.
  • Teamwork & Collaboration: Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team to achieve common goals.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to respond to changing priorities and emergency breakdown situations.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to tasks to ensure precision, safety, and quality of work.
  • Safety Conscious: A deeply ingrained commitment to following all safety protocols without exception.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Certificate of Qualification as an Industrial Mechanic Millwright (433A) with a Red Seal Endorsement.

Preferred Education:

  • Additional certifications in welding (CWB), rigging, mobile equipment operation, or specific technologies (e.g., laser alignment).
  • Technical diploma in a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-5+ years of post-apprenticeship experience as a Journeyperson Millwright, preferably within a manufacturing, food processing, or heavy industrial environment.

Preferred: 5+ years of experience, including demonstrated expertise in preventative/predictive maintenance programs and experience with automated and robotic systems.

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