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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Technician

💰 $40,000 - $80,000

MaintenanceField ServiceManufacturingTechnical SupportEngineering

🎯 Role Definition

A Technician performs hands-on work to install, maintain, troubleshoot, calibrate, and repair equipment, systems, and facilities to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient operation. Technicians apply technical knowledge across electrical, mechanical, instrumentation, or HVAC domains to execute preventive maintenance, respond to breakdowns, support continuous improvement initiatives, and document work in CMMS and SOPs. This role often involves field service, direct customer interaction, and working under time-sensitive production or service-level requirements.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Entry-level Maintenance Technician, Apprentice, or Junior Field Service Representative
  • Vocational/technical certificate graduate or trade school alumnus
  • Equipment operator with hands-on mechanical/electrical maintenance exposure

Advancement To:

  • Senior Technician / Lead Technician
  • Maintenance Supervisor / Field Service Supervisor
  • Reliability Engineer / Maintenance Planner
  • Technical Trainer or Specialist (PLC, Instrumentation, HVAC)

Lateral Moves:

  • Quality Technician
  • Calibration / Metrology Technician
  • Process Technician
  • Electronics Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Perform routine and scheduled preventive maintenance on mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems using defined PM checklists and CMMS work orders to maximize uptime and extend asset life.
  • Troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair complex failures on production equipment, HVAC units, motors, drives, and control systems by applying schematic reading, multimeter testing, and logical fault isolation techniques.
  • Install, align, and commission new machines and equipment according to manufacturer specifications and installation drawings, including mechanical anchoring, electrical hookups, and functional testing.
  • Replace, calibrate, and adjust instrumentation and sensors (pressure, temperature, flow, level) to ensure measurement accuracy within required tolerances and regulatory standards.
  • Execute electrical work including wiring, conduit, panel wiring, motor starters, circuit breakers, and control cabinets while following lockout/tagout (LOTO) and electrical safety protocols.
  • Perform preventative lubrication, belt and chain replacement, bearing changes, and mechanical adjustments to maintain conveyors, gearboxes, pumps, and rotating equipment.
  • Respond to emergency break/fix incidents and service calls within defined SLAs, coordinating with operations and engineering to restore production or service quickly and safely.
  • Read and interpret technical drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, and vendor manuals to determine correct parts, procedures, and cause for failures.
  • Utilize PLC and HMI troubleshooting skills to diagnose program and I/O issues, perform firmware updates, and implement minor logic changes in coordination with control engineers.
  • Document all maintenance actions, parts used, and time spent accurately in CMMS, generate service reports, and provide clear handover notes for shift changes.
  • Perform alignment and balancing of rotating equipment using dial indicators, laser alignment tools, and vibration analysis to reduce wear and prevent failure modes.
  • Conduct functional safety checks, verify interlocks, emergency stop systems and safety circuits, and escalate hazards to management while maintaining compliance with OSHA and internal safety programs.
  • Support root cause analysis and corrective action programs by collecting failure data, photographing damage, and participating in incident review meetings to drive permanent fixes.
  • Manage spare parts inventory levels and reorder points, coordinate with procurement for critical components, and kit parts for upcoming projects to minimize downtime.
  • Execute building maintenance tasks including lighting replacement, plumbing troubleshooting, HVAC filter changes, and minor carpentry to support facility operations.
  • Perform on-site calibrations and verification of test equipment, maintain calibration records, and ensure traceability to national or company standards when required.
  • Train and mentor junior technicians, apprentices, and cross-functional staff on safe work practices, troubleshooting techniques, and standard operating procedures.
  • Participate in continuous improvement projects such as 5S, Kaizen events, and reliability upgrades, contributing technical input and implementing engineering changes under supervision.
  • Liaise with vendors and external service providers for specialized repairs, warranty work, and OEM maintenance visits, ensuring scope and quality meet company expectations.
  • Adhere to environmental, health, and safety regulations, maintain proper PPE usage, complete permit-to-work documentation, and contribute to safety audits and toolbox talks.
  • Perform diagnostic testing and preventive maintenance on electronic assemblies, PCBs, and control modules including solder rework, connector replacement, and component-level troubleshooting where permitted.
  • Coordinate planned outages and shutdowns by developing job plans, estimating labor and materials, and leading execution to minimize production impact.
  • Ensure accurate disposal or segregation of hazardous materials and waste in compliance with environmental regulations and company policies.

Secondary Functions

  • Support continuous data collection for predictive maintenance programs by installing sensors and assisting with vibration, thermal, and oil analysis sampling.
  • Assist engineering teams with small design modifications and retrofits to improve equipment reliability or maintainability.
  • Contribute to the development and update of maintenance procedures, SOPs, and equipment manuals based on field experience.
  • Support ad-hoc production, facilities, or customer requests, providing technical guidance or temporary modifications to meet urgent needs.
  • Participate in cross-training activities to expand multi-disciplinary capabilities across electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation domains.
  • Help track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as mean time between failures (MTBF), mean time to repair (MTTR), and preventive maintenance compliance.
  • Provide input on capital expenditure requests by offering realistic installation and lifecycle considerations for proposed equipment purchases.
  • Support remote diagnostics and field support calls, leveraging video, photos, and digital collaboration tools to reduce travel and accelerate fixes.
  • Assist in pre-shipment inspections and factory acceptance testing (FAT) activities for equipment leaving the facility.
  • Maintain clean, organized, and safety-compliant work areas consistent with 5S standards.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Electrical troubleshooting: single-line diagrams, AC/DC circuits, breakers, starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and motor control.
  • Mechanical maintenance: bearings, couplings, belts, chains, pumps, gearboxes, and precision alignment techniques.
  • Instrumentation & calibration: pressure, temperature, flow, level sensors, transmitters, and calibration equipment with traceable documentation.
  • PLC & HMI basics: ladder logic reading, I/O testing, commissioning support, and working knowledge of common PLC platforms (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Schneider).
  • Use of diagnostic tools: multimeter, clamp meter, oscilloscope, insulation tester, thermal camera, vibration analyzer, and laser alignment tools.
  • Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS): creating and closing work orders, recording labor and parts, and scheduling preventive maintenance.
  • Reading technical drawings: electrical schematics, P&IDs, mechanical assembly drawings, and wiring diagrams.
  • Pneumatics and hydraulics maintenance: valves, actuators, compressors, and leak diagnosis.
  • Soldering and electronic assembly repair for basic PCB-level troubleshooting where permitted.
  • Basic networking and industrial communications: Ethernet/IP, Modbus, serial communications for troubleshooting connected equipment.
  • Knowledge of safety systems and standards: lockout/tagout (LOTO), NFPA, OSHA, PPE selection, and confined space awareness.
  • Basic welding, brazing, or fabrication skills for onsite repairs and modifications (as applicable).

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical problem-solving with a methodical approach to root cause analysis and corrective action.
  • Clear verbal and written communication, including the ability to prepare concise service reports and handover notes.
  • Customer service orientation, able to interact professionally with operators, supervisors, and external customers.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to handle multiple reactive and planned tasks under production pressure.
  • Teamwork and collaboration across maintenance, operations, engineering, and procurement functions.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn new technologies, equipment, and processes.
  • Attention to detail and quality focus to ensure repairs are complete and compliant with standards.
  • Initiative and ownership: proactively identify improvement opportunities and drive small projects to completion.
  • Resilience under pressure and ability to remain composed during urgent failure events.
  • Training and coaching aptitude to upskill junior staff or apprentices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent; vocational certificate or trade school training in a technical field preferred.

Preferred Education:

  • Associate degree or diploma in Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Electronics, HVAC, Mechatronics, or related technical discipline.
  • Relevant industry certifications (see below).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Technology / Electrical Engineering Technology
  • Mechanical Engineering Technology / Industrial Maintenance
  • Electronics / Instrumentation
  • HVAC / Refrigeration Technology
  • Mechatronics / Automation
  • Welding / Fabrication (if applicable)

Preferred Certifications (examples):

  • OSHA 10/30 or national safety certification
  • EPA 608 (HVAC roles)
  • Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CMRT) or equivalent
  • Manufacturer-specific PLC or equipment training
  • NCCER / journeyman / trade certifications
  • First Aid / CPR

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1 to 5 years of hands-on experience in maintenance, field service, or technical support roles; entry-level technicians may start with 0–2 years plus technical training.

Preferred:

  • 3+ years of relevant equipment maintenance or field service experience with demonstrated troubleshooting and preventive maintenance competency, experience with CMMS, and exposure to PLC/HMI systems.
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