Arc welding can be done during industrial maintenance.
An industrial maintenance technician services equipment used in industrial settings, such as factories and processing facilities. Training may be available on the job through apprenticeship programs or at technical schools, where students receive a combination of hands-on and classroom learning. Job prospects in this area can depend on skill level, as well as industry and region. In some cases, you may need to move to get the best job opportunities.
Industrial maintenance technicians often maintain factory equipment.
Facilities may have industrial maintenance technicians on permanent staff to maintain their equipment, or they may call on them as consultants when needed. Part of the job involves installing and testing new equipment. Staff may need to receive some training before they start using the equipment, and this may also be part of the job. The industrial maintenance technician confirms that personnel know how to use the equipment safely and properly to reduce the risk of injury or equipment malfunction.
An industrial maintenance technician may need to make urgent repairs to keep the factory running smoothly.
Routine maintenance is also part of the job. Industrial equipment needs regular cleaning, lubrication, and other services to keep it in good working order. Equipment problems can create safety risks or shut down a production line. Routine maintenance may include safety checks or equipment breakdowns for blockages and other problems. This may need to be done quickly or after hours to minimize downtime on the production line.
When equipment malfunctions or breaks down, the industrial maintenance technician fixes and repairs it. This can include sophisticated equipment, which may require a knowledge of industrial computer programming, as well as skills such as welding, plumbing, and electrical wiring. If there are broken components, the industrial maintenance technician may need to repair or replace them, for example, if a machine’s central processing unit is malfunctioning. The job may include working in teams in a factory setting to ensure companies have spare parts available if manufacturing machines fail in the future.
The hours can be long for an industrial maintenance technician. Some facilities are open 24 hours a day or have extended hours and may call technicians to deal with immediate problems on the line. The job may require completing complex tasks under pressure, communicating information to workers and supervisors, and developing creative solutions to problems to keep a line running smoothly. Continuing education may also be required to keep up with developments in the field, including new equipment that may be introduced in the workplace.