Principal Industrial Reliability Maintenance Technician

Role Overview

Imagine starting your shift with a quick scan of the plant’s CMMS backlog, prioritizing a PLC fault on a high-speed line, and wrapping the day by coaching a teammate through a vibration analysis trend. As a Principal Industrial Reliability Maintenance Technician, you blend expert hands-on maintenance with systems thinking—keeping complex mechanical, electrical, and control systems stable, safe, and optimized.

A Day in the Life

• Arrive on the floor, verify safety conditions, and lead a brief huddle focused on 5S, situational awareness, and critical work orders.
• Diagnose control system issues—diving into advanced PLC logic, firmware/configuration conflicts, and networked I/O to restore line performance.
• Execute predictive diagnostics and interpret results (infrared thermography, ultrasonic testing, power quality, laser interferometry, ball bar checks, vibration analysis) to prevent failures before they surface.
• Perform expert break-fix and preventive maintenance across mechanical, electrical, fluid power, and control systems; document work and update CMMS history with actionable insights.
• Engineer practical reliability upgrades—identifying alternative parts, recommending engineered solutions, and supporting cost-benefit analyses for repairs, rebuilds, or new equipment.
• Lead and participate in CI initiatives, track results and savings, and standardize improved procedures across the site.
• When needed, operate shop equipment (lathe, drill press, grinder) and perform welding to fabricate or repair parts to spec.
• Provide technical input for T&M activities and sales quotations as requested.
• Coach and mentor less experienced technicians; step into project management responsibilities when assigned.
• Invest in your own growth through on-the-job training and self-directed technical study.

What You Bring

• Education: High school diploma or GED. Plus either an associate degree with a technical focus and 7+ years of related, industry-specific experience; or 10+ years of directly related industry experience.
• Expertise in predictive maintenance technologies: vibration analysis, laser interferometer work, precision alignment, and care of process equipment.
• Fluency in electrical, mechanical, fluid power, and controls—able to analyze problems, synthesize options, and execute repairs to industry standards.
• High proficiency with hand and specialty tools; comfortable programming, troubleshooting, and analyzing sophisticated control systems.
• Six Sigma exposure is a plus; willingness to travel on occasion.

Tools and Technologies

• PLC platforms: Allen-Bradley, Siemens
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
• Servo systems and conveyor technologies
• High-voltage distribution (120/208/240/480), power quality instrumentation

Core Competencies

• PLC programming and troubleshooting
• Electrical schematics and repair
• Mechanical troubleshooting
• Hydraulics
• Preventive maintenance planning
• High-voltage and industrial power systems

Safety, 5S, and Work Environment

Safety is foundational. You follow all policies, regulations, technical instructions, and guidelines while actively identifying unsafe conditions and behaviors. 5S and housekeeping standards are part of your routine.

Physical Demands and Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands/fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb, ascend/descend or balance to heights that may require a ladder or lift; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl in confined spaces; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds. The employee is regularly required to use close vision and color vision. The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions and risk of electrical shock. Work is typically performed in a factory environment and is usually very loud. In the factory environment, the employee may be exposed to hazardous materials and/or greasy or slippery factory floors.