Maintenance mechanics are responsible for the upkeep of an organization’s machinery – ensuring it keeps operating smoothly and delivers maximum uptime. For such an important job, finding the right candidate can be tough. However, if you work out a comprehensive maintenance mechanic job description, it will allow you to attract the most suitable jobseekers.
Since maintenance departments have an overlap of roles and responsibilities for their job titles, it is important to know what the maintenance mechanic job description entails.
In this article, we’ll walk you through a typical maintenance mechanic job description and list the duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications that follow the job title.
Let’s get started.
What Does a Maintenance Mechanic Do – Typical Roles in Organizations
In most organizations, maintenance mechanics are expected to test, assemble, install, repair, and disassemble machinery and equipment. However, some larger organizations also demand their maintenance mechanics to document maintenance work and train new mechanics.
Even though maintenance mechanics are often confused with maintenance technicians, both positions have more differences than similarities.
While maintenance technicians have a narrow but in-depth skillset into specific machines, maintenance mechanics are the jack of all trades (master of none) when it comes to equipment and machinery. The former are equipment specialists, needed only in critical moments when the troubleshooting of machinery cannot be handled by the latter – who are equipment generalists.
However, maintenance mechanics are critical to every organization. They have a wide skillset that allow them to always be on their feet, dealing with anything from emergency repairs to prompt disassembly and moving of heavy equipment when needed.
Maintenance Mechanic Job Description Template
Creating a job description for maintenance mechanics, especially when the position varies from industry to industry, can be a difficult task. Especially when you have job titles like industrial maintenance mechanic, mechanical maintenance technician, and more.
However, with the right guidelines and some patience, you can easily break down the job title into multiple sections.
Without getting specific, your job brief should clearly communicate the overall job responsibilities and objectives of the organization to your ideal candidate.
Here’s a typical maintenance mechanic job summary that should work for most organizations with a bit of a tweak (replace “X” with your -specific demands):
“We are currently seeking suitable candidates for the role of maintenance mechanic in our maintenance department. The ideal candidate should have at least X years of experience in a similar role, where they were responsible for routine maintenance, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting for various mechanical equipment including hand tools, power tools, pneumatics etc.
Additionally, you will be responsible for documentation through maintenance report forms, ensuring timely maintenance and repair of assets, along with following the necessary safety procedures. Furthermore, you will directly consult X with maintenance reports, and are expected to be available for emergencies.
The role also requires a keen attention to detail and excellent time management and problem solving skills.”
Again – this is a general job brief. You are advised to add/subtract job functions from it according to your organization’s needs and demands.
Maintenance Mechanic Job Description – Duties and Tasks
Once you’ve written the job summary, next up in creating a maintenance mechanic job description is to list down all the duties and responsibilities the role entails.
Here are some typical maintenance mechanic duties and responsibilities:
- Assemble, install, and test new machines and equipment.
- Schedule, perform and report costs of routine preventative maintenance.
- Carry out routine inspection of production machines for potential malfunctions, identify defective parts, and assess maintenance needs.
- Implement guidelines and follows safety rules during mechanical maintenance and use of tools.
- Complete the repair and replacement work of all mechanical systems and electrical systems on time.
- Collaborate effectively with team members in all general maintenance tasks in a loud work environment.
- Document and maintain record of maintenance and all major and minor repair work orders.
- Train new mechanics in general maintenance work and convey company’s procedures, rules and regulations
You will find most of the duties and responsibilities listed above in a maintenance mechanic job description, however, you can add more to the list (or subtract a few, if you want) according to your company’s requirements.
Maintenance Mechanic Job Description – Required Qualifications
Since every job title demands the ideal candidate to have a specific list of credentials, in this section of a maintenance mechanic job description, we’ll specify the academic and professional criteria for the role.
- The candidate should at least have a high school diploma/GED along with a diploma/certification of trade from a vocational school. An associate’s degree in a relevant field (like mechanical or electrical engineering, etc.) is a huge plus.
- Professional certification from organizations such as the International Maintenance Institute (IMI) can help.
- They should at least have 3-5 years of experience in preventative maintenance or other relevant mechanical and manufacturing work areas.
- Physical fitness is a must.
Apart from the above stated requirements, since maintenance mechanics are always on the move, a valid driver’s license is a given.
Maintenance Mechanic Job Description – Typical Skills and Abilities
Maintenance mechanics need to have a wide array of hands-on skills.
Here are the most in-demand skills for this job role:
- Comprehensive knowledge of production machines and equipment, general maintenance activities and procedures.
- Ability to use a variety of hand tools (including calipers, hammers, micrometers, etc.).
- Strong attention to detail, time management, and problem-solving skills.
- Adept at working in a stressful, loud, and physically demanding environment.
- Strong demonstrated ability and knowledge of manufacturing plants and its electrical, pneumatic and mechanical systems.
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, and machinery repair/maintenance manuals.
- Ample troubleshooting skills for prompt resolution of emergency malfunctions and repair needs.
- Quick at responding to assistance requests and is accepting of a varied working schedule.
- Good communication skills to ensure smooth dealing with organization’s tenants and employees.
Above all, maintenance mechanics should have knowledge of OSHA guidelines and must implement all safety rules and departmental procedures.
Becoming the Ideal Maintenance Mechanic
With all the information provided above, you can easily create a perfect maintenance mechanic job description.
However, it is important to remember, not all potential candidates will tick all the boxes for your organization.
Therefore the focus should be attracting a competent employee that falls short on a few requirements but has the relevant skillset and qualifications that fit best in your company.
Josh is a partner at Maintenance Manager HQ.
