Industrial machinery maintenance keeps equipment (and entire businesses and sectors) running smoothly, making it a highly important field. As a result, it attracts some of today’s finest technical and mechanical problem-solvers.[1]
If you want to make a difference in a deeply technical and hands-on field, you could have a bright future as an industrial maintenance mechanic. Be prepared to commit to intense training, complete with complex coursework and thousands of hours of hands-on experience. You’ll emerge feeling confident and capable of working in fast-paced industrial environments.
In this guide, we’ll show how to become an industrial machinery mechanic, all while revealing what makes this role so compelling and explaining: what do industrial machinery mechanics do?
What Does an Industrial Machinery Mechanic Do?
At its core, industrial maintenance involves the systematic inspection and upkeep of the diverse equipment used in modern manufacturing and production, with the goal of boosting performance and avoiding breakdowns.[2]
So, what does an industrial machinery mechanic do, exactly? Every day brings new challenges, but the following tasks and competencies are both common and important:
Mechanical Aptitude
Some people are naturally drawn to-or naturally gifted with machinery, showing an inherent desire to understand various components and how they interact. This curiosity drives industrial machinery mechanics, who quickly uncover how parts move and how they can be manipulated using the right tools and equipment.
Manual dexterity allows mechanics to work with precision, drawing on mechanical reasoning to anticipate how systems might work under ideal circumstances. These mechanical abilities form the basis for everything that mechanics do or accomplish on the job: troubleshooting, diagnosing problems, performing repairs and beyond.
Troubleshooting and Diagnosing Issues
As skilled problem-solvers, industrial machinery mechanics bring a methodical approach to troubleshooting, which allows them to identify and analyze a wide range of machinery problems. This, in turn, helps them develop tailored strategies that enhance repair strategies and limit downtime.
Welding, Rigging and Alignment Skills
Industrial maintenance mechanics may need to fabricate or reinforce metal parts via welding, which addresses wear in components or equipment.
Rigging focuses on safety when lifting or moving heavy machinery, thereby limiting damage to potentially vulnerable equipment. Alignments, meanwhile, precisely position machinery to reduce vibrations and minimize overall wear and tear.
Blueprints and Technical Documentation
Blueprints serve as valuable guides, allowing mechanics to discern how industrial machinery might function under ideal circumstances. This provides a valuable point of comparison, elevating troubleshooting by quickly revealing deviations that could indicate mechanical failures or other concerns.
Where Do Industrial Machinery Mechanics Work?
We’ve answered the question, “What do industrial mechanics do?” Now it’s time to look at where they work.
Industrial machinery mechanics can be found in any environment that requires complex or heavy machinery to function. In general, as the field’s name indicates, this role focuses on the industrial sector — the many areas of the economy that revolve around large-scale production. Examples include:
Manufacturing Plants and Factories
Although the industrial maintenance field is broad, it’s closely tied to the manufacturing sector, which is responsible for transforming raw materials into finished products. Given manufacturing’s increased reliance on automated systems (typically involving conveyors and robotics), there is a heightened need for maintenance experts who can inspect and repair advanced machinery.
Construction Sites and Industrial Sites
Responsible for inspecting and troubleshooting machinery such as compressors or generators, construction-focused mechanics make on-site diagnoses and, when necessary, conduct emergency repairs to keep crucial machinery (and entire construction projects) running smoothly. This helps develop new infrastructure and commercial buildings that fuel economic growth.
Power Plants and Utilities
Focused on the mechanical systems responsible for producing electricity, industrial maintenance mechanics serve power plants by inspecting and maintaining a wide range of equipment. This includes everything from turbines to compressors.
More specifically, industrial maintenance mechanics conduct precision alignments and lubrication to ensure that equipment and entire power plants run reliably. Not only does this improve output, but it also supports the entire energy grid.
Why Should I Become an Industrial Machinery Mechanic?
If you’re wondering, “Is industrial maintenance a good career?” the answer is yes. Beyond the intrinsic benefits, there are many practical reasons to work in industrial maintenance as a mechanic. Because there is such a strong need for mechanics’ services, this role lends an element of stability that many find appealing.
Aspiring mechanics can also expect to find open opportunities as the industrial maintenance workforce ages, with an upcoming retirement boom creating workforce gaps that employers are determined to fill.[3]
Is a Career as an Industrial Machinery Mechanic Right for Me?
Industrial maintenance can be gratifying, but this field also presents a few significant challenges. Concerns worth exploring include:
Working Conditions
Industrial machinery mechanics mostly work inside. However, indoor settings are not necessarily comfortable. Noisy settings are to be expected, along with variable temperatures.
Safety risks also abound, but mechanics go to great lengths to protect themselves and their teams.[4] Strict safety protocols involve personal protective equipment (PPE) and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures that prevent machines from accidentally starting up during maintenance procedures.
Hands-on and Mechanical Work
The work of an industrial machinery mechanic is highly tangible. Many mechanics enjoy working with their hands and seeing their efforts yield immediate results. For example, it can be rewarding to get jammed lines moving again with new conveyor belts or restore fluid flow by replacing faulty valves.
Physical Requirements
Industrial maintenance can be a physically demanding field — often in unexpected ways. Mechanics may find themselves navigating tight spaces and contorting their bodies into uncomfortable positions to reach the right areas or components. Heavy lifting is a common part of the job, along with long periods of time spent standing.
Irregular Hours
Industrial maintenance services are required all hours of the day. Machinery can malfunction at any time, and prompt attention is key to limiting downtime. Many industrial maintenance mechanics work overtime, putting in extra hours based on maintenance windows or production peaks.
Sense of Accomplishment and Job Satisfaction
Despite the physical demands and long hours, industrial maintenance mechanics are deeply passionate about their work and take great pride in their contributions. They recognize that, without their hard work, crucial machinery would fail, and production would come to a halt.
So, with that said, is industrial maintenance a good career? According to the many mechanics with high job satisfaction, the answer is a definitive yes — but it’s important to understand the potential downsides before seeking training.
How Do I Start My Training to Become an Industrial Machinery Mechanic?
Are you excited to achieve your true potential as an industrial machinery mechanic? Your path to success begins with a targeted education, as well as conceptual, classroom-based exploration and hands-on training.
Education Requirements
There are many ways to gain industrial maintenance skills, but educational requirements for entering this field are generally straightforward: a high school diploma (or equivalent) and a year or more of training after high school. Some professionals may also choose to pursue a certificate from a relevant trade school or vocational program.
College-based maintenance technician programs provide a thorough overview of relevant concepts: industrial electricity, pneumatic principles and programmable logic controllers. This can provide a solid start, helping students further extend their knowledge via real-world training opportunities.[5]
Technical Training and Hands‑On Experience
Hands-on experience is a vital part of preparing for a career as an industrial machinery mechanic. Technical and trade school programs offer a flexible approach to developing the practical skills needed for the field, combining classroom instruction with guided, experiential learning.
These programs are designed to help students bridge theory and practice, with access to the same tools and technologies used in the workplace. Coursework often integrates relevant software and diagnostic systems, such as RSLogix, to help students build confidence and proficiency with modern industrial systems.
Certification and Licensing
One of the best ways to gain credibility in the industrial maintenance space is by acquiring journeyman status. Equipped with a journeyman card, you can inspire confidence among a diverse range of clients or employers. Requirements may vary depending on industrial specialization or geographic location, with many aspiring mechanics seeking state-specific licensure.
Gain On-the-Job Experience
Aspiring industrial maintenance mechanics often start their careers as industrial maintenance technicians or assistants. These roles introduce machinery mechanics to the realities of the field while providing ongoing guidance, helping novice industrial maintenance professionals gain both confidence and tangible skills. In addition to developing key mechanical skills, you can expect to build strength and hone problem-solving abilities.[6]
As you search for early job opportunities, be mindful of your preferred specialization and how it relates to your long-term career goals. If possible, choose employers or environments that feel relevant to your interests and ambitions.
Continuous Learning and Advancement
Industrial maintenance is quickly changing in response to emerging technologies and other industry trends. Mechanics are expected to keep up with often rapid changes. To accomplish this, it’s important to adopt a spirit of continuous learning early on.
There are many ways to continue to advance critical skills long after joining the profession; professional associations, for example, offer workshops and training opportunities, while trade publications keep mechanics in the know about emerging technologies and other cutting-edge solutions.
Begin Your Industrial Maintenance Journey Today
Wondering how to become an industrial maintenance mechanic? Discover a bright future in the field of industrial maintenance at SJVC. Our Maintenance Technician (M-Tech) program provides a valuable introduction to industrial machinery, offering a solid starting point for aspiring mechanics. Learn more about our M-Tech program or take the next step and apply today.
Sources:
[1] Indeed. “What Is Industrial Maintenance? A Definitive Guide.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-industrial-maintenance
[2] Industrial Hygiene in the Workplace. “Industrial Maintenance for Workplace Safety.” https://industrialhygienepub.com/news-headlines/industrial-maintenance-for-workplace-safety/
[3] Engineered Systems News. “What the Wave of Retiring Machinists Means to Plant Safety.” https://www.achrnews.com/articles/162448-what-the-wave-of-retiring-machinists-means-to-plant-safety
[4] Christiansen, B. “5 Steps to Ensuring Maintenance Techs’ Safety.” American Machinist. https://www.americanmachinist.com/shop-operations/article/21248546/5-steps-to-ensure-a-safe-work-environment-for-maintenance-techs
[5] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Industrial Machinery Mechanics, Machinery Maintenance Workers, and Millwrights.” https://www.bls.gov/ooh/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers-and-millwrights.htm#tab-4
[6] Indeed. “How to Become an Industrial Mechanic.” https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-industrial-mechanic