Industrial maintenance technician

Industrial maintenance technician
industrial maintenance agent, maintenance mechanic, industrial maintainer
This technician occupies a key position in all industrial companies and in companies specializing in maintenance. Its objective: to guarantee the continuity of production and make the equipment more reliable. Doing everything to avoid stopping production is his obsession. He takes great care of the equipment (regular visits, changing parts, etc.); in the event of a breakdown, he repairs it urgently. Opportunities are good for holders of professional baccalaureate, BTS or DUT.

Professional life
Growing needs
Essential in all industrial sectors: automotive, aeronautics, mechanical engineering, transport, food processing, chemistry, biomedical, nuclear... maintenance is recruiting. Production companies are the main recruiters, followed by subcontracting companies. Nearly two thirds of the offers are in the provinces.
A wide range of positions
Maintenance technicians can occupy a whole range of positions within a company: security manager, customer manager, studies and development, computer-assisted maintenance specialist, etc. Certain sectors (aeronautics, refrigeration) require professionals trained in their specific techniques.
Development possibilities
Two imperatives to progress in maintenance: be versatile and have experience. An experienced technician can become a team leader. He can also progress to managerial positions in manufacturing or quality. In all cases, continuing education is a major asset.
Beginner's salary
Between 1500 and 1900 euros gross/month
Working conditions
On production facilities
The industrial maintenance technician mainly works on factory production facilities and on transport equipment (automobile, aeronautical, railway, naval). Always part of a team, he is in permanent contact with the company's internal services and external partners.
On site or remotely
With the advent of industrial computing, working conditions have changed significantly. Today we can troubleshoot without having to travel: this is remote maintenance. The diagnosis is then carried out remotely, by telephone or on the internet. In the event of an emergency, you must be available and ready to intervene at any time. Beware of irregular schedules: breakdowns don't wait.
With computer tools
The maintenance technician works on automated equipment, following the instructions of a computer program. Diagnosis by interposed expert system, management of documentation or spare parts,... this expert in MAO (computer-assisted maintenance) benefits from specialized IT tools.
SKILLS
A taste for technology
Companies are looking for professionals with technical knowledge in the following disciplines: automation, mechanics, hydraulics, pneumatics, industrial electricity. Room for curious profiles, always looking for the latest technologies and ready to constantly stay up to date.
The meaning of communication
In maintenance, being a technical expert is not enough. Knowing how to inform is also a priority. Being able to listen, communicate and convince are valuable assets for a future maintenance “pro”. Doors open to those who like to work in a team, to solve complex problems.
Knowing how to adapt
Today, companies are looking for professionals who are flexible, available and ready to question themselves in order to better evolve. Red carpet for “maintenance” technicians, capable of constantly adapting, both to new equipment and to new breakdowns. Routine profile, refrain!
Nature of the work
Anticipate the breakdown
Everything to avoid breakdowns and interruption of production is the priority objective of the “pros” of preventive maintenance. Since the slightest technical failure can lead to high additional costs, it is better to focus on the control, monitoring and regular maintenance of the equipment. Close-up on the intervention planning.
Troubleshoot
If, despite everything, a breakdown occurs, you must intervene as quickly as possible. Using tests and measurements, the maintenance technician establishes a diagnosis and carries out the necessary operations. It's up to him to change a defective part, modify settings, correct certain data in the computer program that controls the automated machines... and put it back into service.
Optimize the production tool
Seeking to make the production tool more reliable and better: this is also the role of this technician who seeks by all means to reduce costs. Always on the lookout for technological developments, it designs and proposes solutions with a view to optimizing security.