What Do Industrial Machinery Mechanics Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Industrial Machinery Mechanics repair, install, adjust, or maintain industrial production and processing machinery or refinery and pipeline distribution systems. They also repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.

Other tasks include:

• Repair or replace broken or malfunctioning components of machinery or equipment.
• Disassemble machinery or equipment to remove parts and make repairs.
• Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.
• Reassemble equipment after completion of inspections, testing, or repairs.
• Clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.
• Examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear.

We asked Industrial Machinery Mechanics how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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67% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 42% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Industrial Machinery Mechanics examine parts for defects, such as breakage or excessive wear. They clean, lubricate, or adjust parts, equipment, or machinery.

A typical day for an Industrial Machinery Mechanic will also include:

• Repair or maintain the operating condition of industrial production or processing machinery or equipment.
• Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.
• Operate newly repaired machinery or equipment to verify the adequacy of repairs.
• Record parts or materials used and order or requisition new parts or materials, as necessary.
• Record repairs and maintenance performed.

We asked some Industrial Machinery Mechanics a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	27% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	44% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	82% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	17% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	56% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Industrial Machinery Mechanics also cut and weld metal to repair broken metal parts, fabricate new parts, or assemble new equipment. They may also enter codes and instructions to program computer-controlled machinery.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Industrial Machinery Mechanics Demonstrate equipment functions and features to machine operators. They might also Study blueprints or manufacturers’ manuals to determine correct installation or operation of machinery.

In addition, they Analyze test results, machine error messages, or information obtained from operators to diagnose equipment problems.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Record repairs and maintenance performed.

To some Industrial Machinery Mechanics, it is also their responsibility to Observe and test the operation of machinery or equipment to diagnose malfunctions, using voltmeters or other testing devices.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as an Industrial Machinery Mechanic, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/installation-maintenance-and-repair/industrial-machinery-mechanics-and-maintenance-workers.htm

http://www.agc.org/

http://www.pmpa.org/