Maintenance Mechanic - Manufacturing

As a Maintenance Mechanic in our manufacturing facility in Frederick, MD, you will be responsible for programming and troubleshooting PLC systems, performing routine and preventive maintenance on machinery, and addressing breakdowns swiftly to minimize downtime. You'll also take part in system upgrades and help implement automation solutions to enhance efficiency.

To apply for the Maintenance Mechanic role at our Frederick manufacturing facility, candidates should have a minimum of three years of hands-on experience with Allen Bradley PLC systems. A strong understanding of industrial communication protocols and electrical systems along with experience in industrial automation is also highly valued.

In this position, you'll primarily work with Allen Bradley PLC systems, including ControlLogix and CompactLogix. Proficiency in programming and troubleshooting these systems is essential for success in the Maintenance Mechanic role.

While direct experience with HMI/SCADA systems such as FactoryTalk or WinCC isn't mandatory, it is certainly a plus for your application as it complements the responsibilities you'll take on in the Maintenance Mechanic role.

As a Maintenance Mechanic at our Frederick facility, your role goes beyond maintenance. You will actively contribute to production efficiency by troubleshooting automation issues, integrating new technologies, and identifying cost-saving improvements—ultimately leading to reduced downtime and enhanced product quality.

When answering this question, be specific about your hands-on experience with Allen Bradley systems, mentioning particular models like ControlLogix or CompactLogix. Include any projects where you've programmed, troubleshooted, or upgraded these systems, which demonstrates your familiarity and technical prowess.

Discuss your systematic approach: identifying the symptoms, gathering data, and using diagrammatic and flowchart methods to pinpoint the issue. Emphasize practical examples where you've resolved problems effectively without significantly increasing downtime.

In your response, outline the preventative maintenance schedule you adhere to, such as oil changes, component inspections, and calibration checks. Highlight any benefits you’ve observed, such as increased equipment lifespan or reduced unexpected failures.

Mention your commitment to continuous learning through industry conferences, training courses, or relevant certifications. Highlight specific technologies or advancements in PLC automation that you're currently implementing or interested in.

Bring attention to the importance of communication and collaboration with colleagues in engineering and production. Provide examples of how your teamwork efforts have led to successful projects or quick resolutions to equipment issues.

Share a concise story about a specific challenge you faced while upgrading a system, the solution you proposed, and the measurable outcomes of your effort, such as increased efficiency or decreased downtime.

Refer to the safety standards established in your previous workplaces, such as lockout/tagout procedures, PPE requirements, and training processes, highlighting your commitment to maintaining a safe working environment.

Explain your method for assessing urgent breakdowns versus scheduled maintenance and how you effectively manage your time to accommodate both responsibilities, ensuring that production schedules are not compromised.

Use a specific example where you diagnosed and fixed a challenging automation problem, detailing the steps you took to identify the issue and how your solution positively impacted production.

Detail your process for maintaining logs of repairs, parts used, and routine maintenance conducted. Emphasize the importance of documentation for compliance and for future reference by yourself or your colleagues.