An industrial maintenance technician, also known as an industrial machinery mechanic or an industrial service technician, installs, troubleshoots, repairs, and maintains complex, industrial electrical and mechanical equipment.
Through best practices and preventative operational upkeep, industrial maintenance technicians ensure machines are functioning correctly and efficiently for the production phase of the supply chain.
Day-To-Day Tasks of Industrial Maintenance Technicians
Still wondering — “What does an industrial maintenance technician do, exactly?”
Industrial maintenance technicians are responsible for the installation and inner workings of commercial and industrial machinery. On a daily basis, these professionals can be found installing, maintaining, diagnosing, and repairing equipment for production. Industrial service technicians may conduct preventive maintenance, or carry out routine inspections to ensure safe and operational equipment.
Below are examples of routine responsibilities that industrial service technicians will handle:
- Install industrial and commercial machinery
- Adjust, clean, and calibrate equipment components for optimization
- Inspect and measure various instruments of machinery
- Disassemble and examine malfunctioning machinery for repair
- Perform regular diagnostic and maintenance tests
- Prepare maintenance reports by collecting and analyzing patterns and performance
- Maintain inventory of equipment parts and supplies
- Comply with regulations and wear proper PPE, to maintain a clean and safe working environment
- Complete continual technical training to stay up to date on modern machinery controls and processes
- Train other production workers on routine maintenance and machine safety
Where Do Industrial Maintenance Technicians Work?
Advanced manufacturing employs 12 million people nationwide, and according to the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), careers in advanced manufacturing pay 12 percent more than other industries in the United States.
Industrial equipment is applied and assessed in various businesses and trades. As a result, industrial maintenance technicians can find state-of-the-art careers in the following sectors:
- Appliance fabrication
- Assembly and packaging
- Automobiles
- Aviation
- Construction
- Defense
- Electronics
- Energy (electric, gas, mining, oil)
- Food and beverage processing
- Maritime manufacturing
- Medical equipment
- Plastics, and
- Space exploration
What Skills Do Employers Seek in Industrial Maintenance Technicians?
Currently, the state of Connecticut is facing an advanced manufacturing skills gap. While 48 percent of jobs in the Nutmeg State require skills training more advanced than high school (but less than a four-year degree), only 38 percent of Connecticut workers are adequately prepared for manufacturing professions.
To minimize the manufacturing skills gap and maximize their potential, future industrial maintenance technicians can enroll in an industrial maintenance program, like the one offered at Goodwin University, and become adequately prepared for employment in their industry of choice.
Once working in the field, industrial maintenance technicians can earn respectable salaries, work with cutting-edge technology, and, by obtaining a valued career and technical education, become eligible for future career advancement.
Employers typically prefer to hire industrial maintenance technicians who are:
- Adaptable — With the ability to switch projects and priorities, flexible industrial maintenance technicians keep on top of regulatory compliance requirements, all the while triaging tasks as needed.
- Communicative — With clear correspondence across departments and databases, helpful industrial maintenance techs are pivotal when interpreting maintenance instructions and updating coworkers on service interventions.
- Creative — With functional, forward-thinking methodologies, industrial maintenance technicians must tackle problems from a unique perspective while solving production issues and reviving outdated processes of the industry.
- Detail-oriented — With the capacity to troubleshoot issues as they arise and keep a precise record of any repairs performed, industrial maintenance technicians with attention to detail also audit machinery and ensure the safety of the workplace.
- Effective and efficient employees — With the capability to consistently meet deadlines, maintain production, and respond swiftly to urgent requests, proficient advanced manufacturing professionals minimize waste while saving time and unnecessary steps in the production process.
- Proactive problem-solvers — Industrial maintenance technicians who anticipate organizational needs and keep preventative measures in mind are typically the go-to employees in advanced manufacturing environments.
- Technical team players — Collaborators who utilize individual employee strengths predictably summon the success of production teams.
Benefits of Becoming an Industrial Maintenance Technician
In 2021, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that industrial machinery mechanics earned a median annual wage of $59,380.
The same year, industrial machinery mechanics in Connecticut made $66,190 — making the return on investment for an industrial service technician certification an advantageous accreditation for any prospective graduate.
The U.S. Department of Labor also projects that overall employment for industrial machinery mechanics is estimated to grow 14% from 2021 to 2031, with the industry increasing much faster than the average of all occupations — 53,200 in-demand job openings are expected each year over the decade.
Preparing for a Career as an Industrial Maintenance Technician
In a study by the Department of Education, eight years after students’ expected graduation date, it was found that learners who focused more on a career and technical education (CTE) had higher median annual earnings than those who did not.
At Goodwin University, students earning an Industrial Service Technician certificate receive hands-on technical training in computer-aided design (CAD), electrical and hydraulic functions, mechanical drives, mechatronics, properties of motion, and more!
With a flexible curriculum format that is worry-free and workforce-ready, students enrolled in the University’s Industrial Service Technician certificate program can complete their studies on their schedule — with part-time or full-time options available.
Advanced manufacturing employers and the Connecticut economy are looking for manufacturing learners and leaders like you.
Be inspired.
Be innovative.
Be workforce ready for a wide range of industries.
Practice the industrial service technician trade and propel yourself into a worthwhile career.
Are you ready to start fabricating your future?
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.