Industrial Mechanic Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

This post provides detailed information on the industrial mechanic job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the important requirements you may be expected to fulfill to be hired for the industrial mechanic role by most recruiters/employers.

What Does an Industrial Mechanic Do?

An industrial mechanic who can also be called an industrial machinery mechanic is a technician who installs and maintains machinery and equipment related to industry, and also does repairs.

Troubleshooting of complex mechanical systems, routine maintenance, and ensuring machinery operates safely and efficiently are their responsibilities.

According to Entreprises HARtech, the field of industrial mechanics is quite broad. It involves the manufacturing, construction, and maintenance of machines that are primarily used in the industries in transforming raw materials into large scale products.

The industrial mechanic job description usually encompass installation and setup, routine maintenance and inspection, diagnosis and repair of mechanical problems, replacement of defective parts and components, maintenance of safety and regulatory standards, and record-keeping activities for the maintenance performed.

Other non-core responsibilities that industrial mechanics may be required to perform include preparing schedules and procedures related to maintenance, training junior mechanics or apprentices, cooperating with engineers to improve machinery performance, maintaining the inventory of spare parts and tools, and assisting in designing and laying out new equipment installations.

They would normally report to the maintenance manager or supervisor.

This also includes close coordination with the engineers and production managers to ensure minimum machinery downtime and thereby achieve desired production goals.

They deal in industries that include manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, energy, and utilities.

Industrial mechanics may deal with anything ranging from huge industrial plants to the smallest manufacturing shop.

They are indispensable to any industry that relies upon machinery or processes.

The typical requirement to qualify as an industrial mechanic is a High School Diploma or GED.

Most of the jobs demand completion of formal training, and the training is offered by programs related to industrial maintenance or similar studies in technical schools or community colleges.

Certification by a professional organization such as the National Institute for Metalworking Skills or equivalent organizations is desirable.

Relevant work experience through internships or on-the-job training will be an added advantage.

The tasks attributed to the work of an industrial mechanic vary from country to country with the prevailing conditions of the industry and the regulations involved.

However, their importance is vital in ensuring safety and efficiency in industrial operations all over the world.

Employers usually look for a resourceful individual who can solve problems independently and is fairly mechanically adept.

Many employers consider prior experience with specific machinery or technologies pertinent to the employer’s industry.

The national regulating body for industrial mechanics is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, better known as OSHA.

Other States and municipalities may also have a separate set of regulations or licensure requirements.

Industrial Mechanic Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The industrial mechanic job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

• Inspect machinery and equipment to diagnose malfunctions
• Perform routine preventive maintenance on machines, including cleaning and lubricating machine parts
• Repair or replace broken parts and components
• Adjust machinery and equipment to operate within prescribed operating parameters
• Make all necessary records of the maintenance and repairs
• Consult with engineers to help diagnose and resolve major machine problems
• Install new equipment and machinery
• Calibrate machinery and equipment to meet regulatory requirements and production specifications
• Maintain inventory of spare parts
• Follow all safety codes and regulations to ensure a safe working environment
• Carry out train for junior mechanics or apprentices
• Plan and perform maintenance schedules
• Deal with emergencies, breakdowns, and repairs as quickly as possible
• Carry out routine inspections so that potential problems can be dealt with
• Apply and ensure that the area follows industry standards and regulations
• Liaise with the production teams to minimize the time that equipment is not available
• Assist in the mechanical design and layout of new machinery installations
• Discover mechanical problems using diagnostic tools and equipment
• Keep accurate record of repairs and maintenance activities that have been done
• Perform adjustments and modifications to keep equipment running efficiently
• Oversee the installation of new machinery, ensuring proper setup is followed. This will include any necessary technical support for other departments in areas of need
• Troubleshoot electrical systems that pertain to machinery
• Maintain clean and organized work areas
• Keep up to date with industry trends in regards to machinery technology advancement.

Industrial Mechanic Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before in the position of an industrial mechanic or are presently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, then you can create a detailed and effective Professional Experience for your resume by applying the sample industrial mechanic job description provided above.

You can utilize the industrial mechanic duties and responsibilities provided in the job description example above in expressing  the work you have done or doing as an industrial mechanic in your resume’s Professional Experience.

This will show that you have been successful working as an industrial mechanic, which can greatly enhance your chances of being hired for the new job that you are seeking, especially if it requires someone with some industrial mechanic work experience.

Industrial Mechanic Requirements: Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Here are major competencies that most employers/recruiters would require when hiring for an industrial mechanic position, which are also important for achieving success in the career:

• Mechanical aptitude and the ability to troubleshoot
• Knowledge of industrial machinery and equipment
• Ability to apply diagnostic tools and equipment
• Problem-solving and analytical skills
• Knowledge of safety protocols and regulatory standards
• Communication and teamwork skills
• Physical stamina and dexterity in handling heavy machinery and components
• Ability to read, comprehend, and interpret technical manuals and blueprints.

Industrial Mechanic Employment

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, 412,650 industrial machinery mechanics were in employment in 2023 in the United States.

However, survey data on Zippia shows that the current number of employed industrial mechanics in the United States is  more than 95,286.

Employment by Industry

The industries with the highest number of employments for industrial machinery mechanics, according to the BLS, include:

• Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance: 46,110
• Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers: 42,500
• Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only): 17,950
• Plastics Product Manufacturing: 15,060
• Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing: 12,700

Employment by State

The States with the most employment for industrial machinery mechanics, according to data on BLS include Texas and California, with 49,510 and 28,450 employments respectively.

Industrial Mechanics Salary

Also, according to report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS, the annual median salary for industrial machinery mechanics was $63,690 in May 2023.

On the other, Zippia gives the current average salary for industrial mechanics in the United States as $53,333 per year.

Salary by Industry

The highest paying industries for industrial mechanics, according to Zippia include:

• Transportation: $56,878
• Construction: $55,126
• Retail: $54,915
• Manufacturing: $54,504
• Automotive: $54,279.

Salary by State

Also, data on Zippia shows that the highest paying States for industrial mechanics in the U.S. include West Virginia and Idaho, with average yearly  salary of $64,128 and $63,835 respectively.

Industrial Mechanic Job Satisfaction

In a survey conducted by CareerExplorer, the job satisfaction or career happiness of industrial machinery mechanics is graded at 3.0 out of 5.

This therefore ranks them in the lower 29 percent of all careers.

The survey is based on a number of dimensions of job satisfaction, including:

• Satisfaction with Salary

The mean for the expression of mechanics about their satisfaction with salary is 3.2 / 5, generally positive though very concerned about fair compensation.

• Meaningfulness of Work

The rating of meaningfulness in the work for them was also low, standing at 2.6/5.

This means that a great number of mechanics hardly find great value in their work.

• Personality Fit

Personality fit falls on the positive side, as industrial machinery mechanics rated their personality fit for their work as 3.6/5.

This means that the greater part of them feels that they are very well-suited to their respective roles.

• Work Environment

The enjoyment of work environment was not depicted in the given results.

However, this is a big determinant of whether industrial machinery mechanics feel satisfied with their job or not.

Conclusion

This post has given a great overview of the role of an industrial mechanic and is recommended for both those who plan to work in this career and employers desiring to create an accurate job description.

Whether you are looking to start a career as an industrial mechanic or you want to make an effective job description for the role, it is important to understand what the key duties and responsibilities are.