Preventive Maintenance Technician
Department: Maintenance / Facilities
Reports To: Maintenance Supervisor
Employment Type: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
About the Role
The Preventative Maintenance Technician is responsible for performing scheduled preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of production equipment throughout the facility, with particular expertise in millwork machinery (saws, routers, handheld pneumatic tools, and related woodworking equipment) and CNC equipment (CNC routers, machining centers, and associated controls). This role works to maximize equipment uptime, extend asset life, and ensure a safe and efficient manufacturing environment. Reporting to the Maintenance Supervisor, the Preventative Maintenance Technician partners closely with production, operations, and safety teams to minimize unplanned downtime and support consistent, high-quality output.
Responsibilities
- Preventative Maintenance Program
- Perform scheduled preventative maintenance (PM) on all production equipment according to established PM calendars and manufacturer specifications
- Inspect, lubricate, adjust, and replace worn components on machinery to prevent unplanned breakdowns
- Maintain accurate PM schedules and update the CMMS (computerized maintenance management system) with completed work orders
- Identify early signs of equipment wear or failure through routine inspections and predictive maintenance techniques (e.g., vibration analysis, thermal imaging)
- Coordinate PM activities with production scheduling to minimize impact on output
- Millwork Equipment Maintenance
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair millwork production equipment including saws, pneumatic tools, machining centers, and dust collection systems
- Perform blade, knife, and belt changes, alignments, and calibrations on woodworking machinery
- Diagnose and repair mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues on millwork equipment
- Ensure proper function of feed systems, conveyors, and material handling equipment associated with millwork production lines
- Coordinate with machine operators to identify recurring performance issues and implement corrective actions
- CNC Equipment Maintenance & Calibration
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair CNC routers, machining centers, and related automated equipment
- Perform routine calibration, homing, and alignment of CNC axes, spindles, and tooling systems
- Diagnose and resolve issues with CNC controllers, servo drives, and PLC-based control systems
- Update and back up CNC machine programs, parameters, and offsets as needed in coordination with programming staff
- Monitor spindle performance, tool changers, and vacuum/hold-down systems for proper operation
- Partner with CNC operators and programmers to troubleshoot production issues tied to equipment performance
- Troubleshooting & Emergency Repairs
- Respond promptly to equipment breakdowns and production line stoppages to minimize downtime
- Diagnose root causes of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic failures
- Perform emergency repairs and implement temporary fixes when needed to keep production running safely
- Escalate complex issues to outside vendors, equipment manufacturers, or engineering as required
- Maintain an adequate inventory of critical spare parts for high-priority equipment
- Safety & Compliance
- Follow all lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures when servicing or repairing equipment
- Maintain compliance with OSHA regulations and company safety policies during all maintenance activities
- Identify and report unsafe equipment conditions or safety hazards
- Properly use and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) required for maintenance tasks
- Participate in safety audits and equipment risk assessments
- Documentation & Reporting
- Complete work orders, PM checklists, and repair logs accurately and in a timely manner
- Maintain equipment history records, including parts used, repairs performed, and downtime incurred
- Track and report on equipment reliability metrics such as MTBF (mean time between failures) and downtime trends
- Document recommended improvements or capital equipment needs based on maintenance history
- Maintain organized records of equipment manuals, wiring diagrams, and maintenance procedures
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with production supervisors to schedule maintenance activities around production needs
- Coordinate with the parts/inventory team to ensure timely availability of replacement parts and supplies
- Work with engineering and equipment vendors on installations, upgrades, and retrofits
- Train and mentor operators on basic equipment care and troubleshooting
- Support new equipment installation, commissioning, and validation
- Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, reduce downtime, and lower maintenance costs
- Support root cause analysis and corrective action initiatives for recurring equipment failures
- Recommend and help implement preventative maintenance program enhancements
- Participate in lean/5S and continuous improvement initiatives within the maintenance and production areas
- Stay current on new millwork and CNC technology, tooling, and maintenance best practices
Requirements
- Education
- High school diploma or GED required
- Technical/vocational training in industrial maintenance, electro-mechanical technology, or a related field preferred
- Associate's degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology or a related field a plus
- Experience
- Minimum 3–5 years of experience in industrial maintenance, preferably within a millwork, cabinetry, or wood products manufacturing environment
- Hands-on experience maintaining and repairing CNC routers or CNC machining centers
- Experience performing preventative maintenance programs in a manufacturing setting
- Experience working with mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems
- Skills & Competencies
- Strong working knowledge of millwork equipment
- Solid understanding of CNC equipment, controllers, and basic programming/offset adjustments
- Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, hydraulic/pneumatic diagrams, and equipment manuals
- Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring instruments
- Basic understanding of PLC systems and industrial controls
- Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
- Effective communication skills for coordinating with production and cross-functional teams
- Basic computer skills for CMMS work order entry and equipment documentation
- Certifications & Licenses
- Industrial maintenance certification (e.g., NIMS, MSSC) preferred
- Electrical or millwright certification a plus
- Forklift operator certification a plus
- Valid driver's license required
Physical Requirements
- Physical Activity Frequency
- Standing / Walking Continuously (up to 8+ hours)
- Lifting / Carrying Up to 50 lbs regularly; team lifts for heavier components
- Bending / Stooping / Kneeling Frequently
- Climbing Ladders / Working at Heights Occasionally
- Working in Confined Spaces Occasionally
- Exposure to Shop Environment Regularly (noise, dust, temperature variations, moving machinery)
Pay
Competitive hourly wage
Benefits
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) with company match
- Paid time off (PTO) and paid holidays
- Life and disability insurance
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- Tool allowance and ongoing technical training support
- Opportunities for career advancement within maintenance and engineering
Schedule
Monday – Friday; rotating on-call coverage for off-shift and weekend equipment emergencies as required