An Equipment Maintenance Technician is a professional who plays a crucial role in ensuring the smooth functioning of machinery and equipment within various industries. They are responsible for inspecting, repairing, and maintaining a wide range of equipment to minimize downtime and maximize efficiency. In this blog post, we delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Equipment Maintenance Technicians.

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Main Responsibilities of an Equipment Maintenance Technician

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of an Equipment Maintenance Technician:

Adhere to

Adhere to environmental regulations and guidelines during maintenance activities.

Align

• Align actions, behaviors and conversations to what matters most.

• Align repairs, replaces and balances component parts and circuitry.

Alter

Alter existing equipment and determine alternate uses for equipment to improve and enhance results.

Analyze

Analyze and implement corrective action reports and process tracking mechanisms.

Ask

Ask questions and rephrase statements to clarify meaning.

Assist in

• Assist in determining & documenting methods and procedures for new tooling platforms.

• Assist in inspecting, testing and adjusting electronic components.

• Assist in preparing estimates, schedules, specifications and reports.

• Assist in preparing estimates, schedules, specifications and reports Area of Specialization.

• Assist process technicians and engineers with the installation and removal of process equipment.

• Assist with manufacturing when required.

Calibrate

• Calibrate electronic equipment and instruments.

• Calibrate equipment to maintain accuracy and precision.

Changeover

Changeover equipment between the different Automation configurations.

Climb

Climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, bend twist, push and pull.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate in team meetings and activities, including SET team support as appropriate.

• Collaborate with other maintenance technicians and engineers.

• Collaborate with vendors and suppliers to source quality parts and materials.

Collect

Collect, analyze, and summarize complex technical diagnostic data.

Communicate

• Communicate any issues with your manager.

• Communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.

Complete

• Complete and track preventive maintenance activities.

• Complete high complexity tasks with minimal supervision.

• Complete required compliance documentation, log books, timesheets, etc. when executing duties.

Conduct

• Conduct electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.

• Conduct periodic equipment audits and inventory checks.

• Conduct preventive maintenance tasks to prevent breakdowns.

• Conduct special engineering projects and to oversee implementation.

• Conduct training sessions for operators on equipment usage and maintenance.

Coordinate

Coordinate all maintenance efforts with the Quality Management Team.

Correct

Correct sequencing issues on the system using In Control Ware.

Develop

Develop and implement maintenance schedules.

Devise

Devise formulas to solve problems in measurements and calibrations.

Diagnose

• Diagnose mechanical and electrical problems.

• Diagnose mechanical and electrical problems (1 year of experience is required).

• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues.

Direct

Direct and coordinate duties for contractors.

Disassemble

Disassemble instruments and equipment and inspect components for defects.

Ensure

• Ensure proper LOTO compliance.

• Ensure replacement parts in stock.

• Ensure that 5S housekeeping and work area is clean and orderly for a safe environment.

• Ensure that facility maintenance requirements are consistently met.

Evaluate

• Evaluate equipment and create maintenance procedures as requested.

• Evaluate, select and recommend the purchase of new equipment.

• Evaluate tools and equipment.

Execute

Execute and track preventive maintenance activities.

Fabricate

Fabricate parts, as necessary, utilize shop equipment.

Follow

• Follow safety protocol at a customer without deviation.

• Follow safety protocols and procedures at all times.

Foster

Foster Collaboration and Teamwork.

Handle

Handle crisis management of unscheduled asset failures that have a direct impact on production.

Help

• Help implement upgrades to machines.

• Help with process improvement, miscellaneous duties and other tasks as assigned.

• Help with process improvement, miscellaneous duties, and other tasks as assigned.

Implement

• Implement changes in working conditions and use of equipment to increase efficiency.

• Implement upgrades and modifications to enhance equipment efficiency.

Improve

Improve and maintain 5S in your area, make suggestions for improvements.

Install

• Install and troubleshoot control circuits (1 year of experience is required).

• Install and trouble shoots control circuits.

• Install, maintain and service equipment.

• Install missing parts if needed prior to start up.

• Install molds into the injection molding machine.

• Install new equipment and machinery.

Keep

• Keep accurate maintenance and parts inventory records in a database to ensure efficiency.

• Keep detailed records of maintenance activities and repairs.

• Keep maintenance records of all equipment and repairs.

Lead

Lead with Integrity and Respect.

Log

Log work performed in to company task manager.

Lubricate

Lubricate moving parts to ensure smooth operation.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean and organized work area.

• Maintain a clean and safe workstation.

• Maintain an adequately staffed, well qualified, and fully trained Maintenance organization.

• Maintain an assortment of common spare parts.

• Maintain appropriate maintenance and repair logs.

• Maintain certifications current for equipment, safety, and incident response.

• Maintain cleanliness off the shop and equipment.

• Maintain company vehicles and repair records.

• Maintain daily maintenance and repair logs.

• Maintain the spare parts inventory and procurement budget.

Make

Make suggestions for continuous improvement and cost savings.

Manage

Manage technical inventory for area of responsibility with minimal oversight.

Monitor

• Monitor equipment for signs of wear and tear.

• Monitor equipment performance and identify areas for improvement.

Move

Move items within clean room and workshop.

Operate

Operate hand tools, power tools, basic shop tools (grinder, drill press,etc.).

Order

• Order new equipment as needed or directed by GM.

• Order spare parts and tools as necessary.

Outsource

Outsource repair work in specialty areas.

Participate in

Participate in safety training and actively comply with safety policies and practices.

Perform

• Perform calibrations and re-qualifications on equipment at specified intervals and schedules.

• Perform equipment modifications as needed.

• Perform installation, maintenance, and repairs on line manufacturing or plant equipment.

• Perform levelling of the tool using level and necessary tools.

• Perform Lock out, tag out of electricity, water, gases, and pumps.

• Perform machine installations or modification per instructions.

• Perform maintenance duties on the packaging line when the line is running, as necessary.

• Perform major equipment repairs and rebuilds, (some weekends and holidays required).

• Perform mechanical and electrical start-up.

• Perform non-routine corrective maintenance and in depth troubleshooting on area equipment.

• Perform operational checks on equipment and systems.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Perform predictive maintenance tasks based on equipment condition monitoring data.

• Perform preventative and predictive maintenance on facility machinery.

• Perform preventive maintenance at specified intervals and schedules.

• Perform preventive maintenance of electrical systems.

• Perform preventive maintenance on equipment.

• Perform Quarterly PM (preventive maintenance) in the required PPE and in the required timeframe.

• Perform routine inspections of machinery and equipment.

• Perform routine preventative maintenance.

• Perform welding and fabrication tasks as needed.

• Perform work of low-complexity.

Plan

Plan, schedule and coordinate day-to-day activities.

Provide

• Provide a strong technical resource for tool and maintenance system improvement projects.

• Provide a written weekly report to your manager.

• Provide daily equipment functioning activity information.

• Provide day-to-day tasks in support of Manufacturing Engineer or Manager.

• Provide technical assistance to Jr.techs.

• Provide technical support and guidance to junior technicians.

Reach

Reach with hands and arms.

Read

• Read and interpret blueprints.

• Read electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic schematics to troubleshoot machines.

• Read and interpret equipment manuals and work orders to perform required maintenance and service.

Rebuild

Rebuild manufacturing equipment as required.

Recommend

• Recommend countermeasures to prevent repetitive breakdowns.

• Recommend process improvement on both molding and automation.

Record

Record times and problems in equipment logs.

Refer

Refer to Profile B – Operations.

Repair

• Repair and maintain the material handling system.

• Repair and replace defective parts as needed.

• Repair non-MIC equipment such as meters, electrical and mechanical devices.

• Repair the failure mechanism in the most cost-effective manner.

• Repair the failure mechanism in the most cost-effective manner.

Respond

Respond promptly to maintenance requests and emergencies.

Setup

Setup and inspect new equipment.

Source

Source and order replacement parts and supplies.

Start

Start and maintain existing mold processes.

Stay updated on

Stay updated on industry trends and best practices in equipment maintenance.

Suggest

Suggest improvements for tool set.

Supervise

• Supervise the building and testing of prototypes.

• Supervise the Maintenance organization.

Support

• Support and adhere to facility and security procedures / protocols.

• Support equipment testing group.

• Support solder area temperature controller profiling and repair.

Test

Test machinery after repairs to ensure proper functionality.

Track

Track and report daily activities through verbal and written pass down.

Train

Train both existing and new employees.

Troubleshoot

• Troubleshoot and repair automated equipment for Manufacturing.

• Troubleshoot and repair automated equipment in Manufacturing.

• Troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and breakdowns.

• Troubleshoot PLC's and PLC controlled systems.

• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain electronic automated manufacturing systems.

• Troubleshoot technical issues to determine root cause of malfunction.

Undertake

Undertake and complete projects and initiatives as defined and assigned by the upper Management.

Use

• Use a variety of hand, power, and test tools and equipment.

• Use manufacturing systems effectively (MES, Spares Inventory, Issue Tracking).

• Use of electrical test equipment such as a multi-meter.

• Use of hand tools such as pipe cutters, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc..

• Use of power tools including drill-press, bench grinder, cordless drill, reciprocating saw, etc..

• Use optical, mechanical, electrical, and or fluidic experience to perform equipment troubleshooting.

• Use test and diagnostic equipment to perform checks.

Utilize

Utilize computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS) for tracking work orders and maintenance activities.

Work

• Work closely with all departments to improve process improvement.

• Work independently and in a team environment to improve equipment reliability and uptime.

• Work independently to identify and repair equipment issues even before problems are reported.

• Work is completed with minimal supervision.

• Work on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic or computerized systems.

• Work proactively to prevent equipment failure.

Write

Write and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of an Equipment Maintenance Technician:

1. Proficiency in reading technical manuals and schematics.

2. Knowledge of mechanical systems and components.

3. Familiarity with electrical systems and circuits.

4. Skill in troubleshooting hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

5. Ability to use hand and power tools effectively.

6. Experience with precision measuring instruments.

7. Understanding of PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) programming.

8. Knowledge of welding techniques and equipment.

9. Familiarity with predictive maintenance technologies (vibration analysis, thermography).

10. Competence in using diagnostic equipment such as multimeters and oscilloscopes.

11. Ability to interpret equipment diagnostic codes and error messages.

12. Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

13. Proficiency in equipment installation and alignment procedures.

14. Understanding of safety protocols and regulations in equipment maintenance.

15. Skill in performing root cause analysis for equipment failures.

16. Knowledge of machining processes and equipment.

17. Ability to perform basic carpentry and plumbing tasks.

18. Experience with machine shop equipment (lathes, milling machines).

19. Understanding of lubrication techniques and procedures.

20. Competence in performing preventive maintenance tasks according to schedules.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of an Equipment Maintenance Technician:

1. Effective communication skills for interacting with team members and supervisors.

2. Problem-solving abilities to identify and resolve equipment issues efficiently.

3. Attention to detail and accuracy in performing maintenance tasks.

4. Time management skills to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.

5. Adaptability to changing work environments and priorities.

6. Collaboration and teamwork skills to work effectively in a team setting.

7. Initiative and proactive approach to maintenance activities.

8. Stress management skills to remain calm and focused during emergencies.

9. Customer service orientation when dealing with equipment users and operators.

10. Continuous learning mindset to stay updated on new technologies and techniques in equipment maintenance.

Conclusion

Equipment Maintenance Technicians play a vital role in ensuring the reliability and functionality of machinery and equipment across various industries. With a combination of technical expertise and soft skills, they contribute to the smooth operation of facilities and the overall productivity of organizations