Machine Maintenance Jobs - What Are They and How to Get One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Machine maintenance is an umbrella term that covers a diverse selection of subspecialties. Millwrights, for example, work primarily on the installation and assembly of industrial machinery. In any machinery mechanic career, you focus on repairs and maintenance. Other responsibilities may include diagnostics and adherence to both routine and long-term maintenance schedules. You typically specialize in a particular type of product, working under a title like medical equipment service rep or wind turbine technician. Your duties may center on operations or strictly repairs. A machine maintenance position requires high-intensity labor, so physical stamina is crucial.

Qualifications needed to work in machine maintenance include a high school diploma, but you can also specialize in a particular field with an associate degree. Many in this field start as an apprentice to receive on-the-job training. In these programs, you learn a variety of technical tasks, ranging from welding to computer training. An apprenticeship typically involves instruction in several parts and may include coursework taught by equipment manufacturers. Exceptional mechanical and problem-solving skills are essential to succeed in machine maintenance, as you need to identify issues quickly using advanced diagnostic equipment. It is also helpful to understand blueprints and electronics. You should have excellent hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to work with parts in a myriad of sizes.