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Maintenance Workers, Machinery

SOC 49-9043.00Job Zone 3 · Medium Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers industrial machinery maintenance and repair in manufacturing and production environments, from supervised entry-level tasks through strategic leadership of facility-wide reliability and maintenance programs.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Hand tools and basic lifting equipment — identify and use under direct supervision when dismantling machinery on an industrial shop floor.
  2. Machine components after disassembly — organize and label following established protocols during supervised repair activities.
  3. Lubrication points and approved lubricants — apply to machine parts according to specified procedures under technician guidance in a production facility.
  4. Work orders and maintenance specifications — read and interpret basic instructions to determine which machines require attention on an entry-level shift.
  5. Maintenance and repair records — enter accurately into a logbook or facilities management software following each supervised task.
  6. Machine parts and attachments — assist in replacing or installing components under direct oversight according to production specifications.
  7. Safety hazards and lockout/tagout procedures — recognize and follow consistently before beginning any machinery maintenance task.
  8. Simple machine controls and operating panels — identify functions and monitor basic operational indicators under technician direction.
  9. Repair team tasks and instructions — receive and carry out through active listening and close coordination with experienced mechanics.
  10. Hand steadiness and manual dexterity — demonstrate when handling small machine parts and fasteners during entry-level maintenance assignments.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Machinery components and subassemblies — dismantle and reassemble with reduced oversight using hand tools, jacks, and hoists on routine production-floor repairs.
  2. Lubrication schedules and adhesive application procedures — execute independently for multiple machine types in a mid-sized manufacturing environment.
  3. Replacement parts and machine attachments — install and change according to production specifications with consistent accuracy and minimal rework.
  4. Machine operating controls and adjustment settings — set up and regulate to achieve target output parameters during routine production runs.
  5. Maintenance, repair, and production data — record and update in enterprise resource planning or database software following each completed work order.
  6. Emerging equipment faults and abnormal operating sounds — detect through regular operations monitoring and escalate appropriately before failures occur.
  7. Cross-functional repair efforts — coordinate with operators and fellow mechanics to move or repair equipment efficiently within scheduled downtime windows.
  8. Work orders and technical specifications — comprehend and prioritize across multiple open tasks to meet daily maintenance timelines.
  9. Root causes of common mechanical failures — identify through structured troubleshooting and apply standard corrective repairs in familiar machine types.
  10. Quality of completed repairs — verify through functional testing and visual inspection before returning equipment to production service.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Complex multi-component machinery — dismantle, diagnose, and fully reassemble autonomously using cranes, chain falls, and precision hand tools in a high-throughput industrial environment.
  2. Non-routine mechanical failures across diverse equipment types — troubleshoot independently, applying critical thinking to isolate root causes and select effective repair strategies.
  3. Machine setups and control calibrations — perform and fine-tune across a full range of production equipment to meet tight operational tolerances.
  4. Preventive and corrective maintenance plans — execute and adapt for an entire assigned equipment portfolio, balancing quality standards and production demands.
  5. Maintenance records and work-order histories — analyze using ERP and spreadsheet software to identify recurring failure patterns and drive reliability improvements.
  6. Lubrication, adhesive, and material application specifications — interpret and apply correctly across uncommon or first-time equipment configurations without supervision.
  7. Technical drawings, schematics, and OEM documentation — read and apply to guide correct part selection, installation sequencing, and tolerance verification.
  8. Judgment on repair-versus-replace decisions — exercise independently under time pressure, weighing part cost, downtime impact, and equipment lifespan.
  9. Collaborative repair projects involving multiple crafts or departments — lead task coordination to ensure safe, efficient completion within maintenance windows.
  10. Body mechanics, tool control, and physical precision — apply consistently when working in confined spaces or performing high-dexterity repairs on critical machine assemblies.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Facility-wide machinery maintenance strategy — develop and champion across all production areas, aligning preventive maintenance schedules with organizational uptime goals.
  2. Maintenance technician teams — mentor, coach, and evaluate to build competency at emerging and developing levels across the full scope of industrial repair tasks.
  3. Equipment reliability programs — design and implement using CMMS, ERP, and data analysis tools to reduce unplanned downtime across a large industrial operation.
  4. Organizational maintenance standards, procedures, and safety protocols — author and enforce to ensure consistent, high-quality repair practices facility-wide.
  5. Capital equipment decisions, repair-versus-replace analyses, and parts inventory strategies — lead using cost data, repair histories, and production impact assessments.
  6. Cross-departmental maintenance planning — direct in coordination with production, engineering, and supply chain leadership to align schedules with business priorities.
  7. Complex or novel equipment failures with no established repair protocol — resolve by drawing on deep mechanical knowledge and systematic problem-solving, then codifying the solution for future use.
  8. Maintenance workforce scheduling and workload distribution — manage across shifts and skill levels to ensure coverage, efficiency, and technician development opportunities.
  9. Continuous improvement initiatives targeting maintenance processes — lead by analyzing performance metrics, identifying systemic gaps, and deploying corrective programs.
  10. Organizational safety culture related to machinery maintenance — model and reinforce by integrating dependability, attention to detail, and cautiousness into every team practice and training activity.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors51 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Maintenance Mechanic, General Industrial · Industrial Mechanic · Air Deodorizer Servicer · Aircraft Fueler · Airplane Fueler · Airplane Refueler · Airport Refueling Handler · Alemite Operator (Alemite Op) · Automatic Pinsetter Mechanic (AT Pinsetter Mechanic) · Belt Changer · Belt Dresser · Belt Fixer
RAPIDS apprenticeships
0190 · Maintenance Mechanic, General Industrial · 0207 · Industrial Mechanic
O*NET skills
Operations MonitoringEquipment MaintenanceTroubleshootingRepairingOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical ThinkingCoordinationJudgment and Decision MakingTime Management
Knowledge domains
MechanicalProduction and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageDesign
Abilities
Arm-Hand SteadinessProblem SensitivityManual DexterityNear VisionControl PrecisionExtent FlexibilityVisualizationMultilimb CoordinationInformation OrderingFlexibility of Closure
Work styles
DependabilityAttention to DetailCautiousnessPerseveranceStress ToleranceIntegrity
Technology
Facilities management softwareData base user interface and query softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwarePresentation softwareWord processing softwareOperating system softwareCalendar and scheduling software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Dismantle machines and remove parts for repair, using hand tools, chain falls, jacks, cranes, or hoists.
  2. Reassemble machines after the completion of repair or maintenance work.
  3. Record production, repair, and machine maintenance information.
  4. Lubricate or apply adhesives or other materials to machines, machine parts, or other equipment according to specified procedures.
  5. Install, replace, or change machine parts and attachments, according to production specifications.
  6. Set up and operate machines, and adjust controls to regulate operations.
  7. Collaborate with other workers to repair or move machines, machine parts, or equipment.
  8. Read work orders and specifications to determine machines and equipment requiring repair or maintenance.
CIP education codes
47.0303

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.