What does a controller mechanic do?
Controller mechanic responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real controller mechanic resumes:
- Maintain commercial and industrial heating, ventilation, HVAC equipment, and controls including individual systems feeding into the EMCS.
- Perform scheduled preventive maintenance on HVAC EMCS installation-wide.
- experience and some Allen Bradley PLC experience.
- Certify to operate cranes, lifts and power industrial trucks.
- Comply with FAA and manufacturer airworthiness directives and advisory circulars.
- Apply technical knowledge of airframe systems in determining equipment malfunctions and apply required expertise in restoring equipment condition to operating status.
- Maintain assembly-line machinery consisting of pneumatic, hydraulic and electrical PLC.
Controller mechanic skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Controller Mechanics are proficient in Test Equipment, CNC Machines, and HVAC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Manual dexterity, Troubleshooting skills, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Controller Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Test Equipment, 10%
Diagnosed malfunctions using technical orders, schematics, wiring diagrams, built-in-tests (BIT), and other test equipment.
- CNC Machines, 10%
Performed all levels of repair on multiple 5-axis CNC machines at an Aero-structural fabrication facility
- HVAC, 9%
Advised and trained Facilities HVAC mechanics on system configuration and component selection and operation.
- Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Perform routine preventive maintenance on highly specialized production equipment used for toxic chemicals and hazardous materials.
- Ventilation, 8%
Use machines such as grinders, solvent cleaner tubs, ventilation hoods and load tester.
- Ladders, 7%
Work from ladders, scaffolds, and roofs to install, maintain or repair electrical wiring, equipment, and fixtures.
"test equipment," "cnc machines," and "hvac" are among the most common skills that controller mechanics use at work. You can find even more controller mechanic responsibilities below, including:
Manual dexterity. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a controller mechanic to have is manual dexterity. Their role and responsibilities require that "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must have a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination when handling very small parts." Controller mechanics often use manual dexterity in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "maintain, interpret and update blueprints, floor plans, mechanical drawings, logic diagrams and manuals. "
Troubleshooting skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling controller mechanic duties is troubleshooting skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights must observe, diagnose, and fix problems that a machine may be having." According to a controller mechanic resume, here's how controller mechanics can utilize troubleshooting skills in their job responsibilities: "performed troubleshooting on programmable logic controllers integrated with the steamgenerators and turbines. "
Mechanical skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of controller mechanics is mechanical skills. This skill is critical to many everyday controller mechanic duties, as "industrial machinery mechanics, machinery maintenance workers, and millwrights use technical manuals and sophisticated diagnostic equipment to figure out why machines are not working." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "interpreted electrical and mechanical drawings, and reviewed contractors' work to satisfy terms of the contract. "
The three companies that hire the most controller mechanics are:
- Uline143 controller mechanics jobs
- Harvard University6 controller mechanics jobs
- Lockheed Martin3 controller mechanics jobs
Compare different controller mechanics
Controller mechanic vs. Fixer
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a controller mechanic are more likely to require skills like "test equipment," "cnc machines," "hvac," and "preventive maintenance." On the other hand, a job as a fixer requires skills like "production machines," "safety rules," "repair machines," and "continuous operation." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that fixers earn slightly differ from controller mechanics. In particular, fixers are 2.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a controller mechanic. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Controller mechanic vs. Repairman
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, controller mechanic responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cnc machines," "ventilation," "ladders," and "electronic control systems." Meanwhile, a repairman has duties that require skills in areas such as "safety procedures," "safety rules," "pry bars," and "aar." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, repairmen earn a lower salary than controller mechanics. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, repairmen earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $44,834. Whereas controller mechanics have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $79,133.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Repairmen tend to reach similar levels of education than controller mechanics. In fact, they're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Controller mechanic vs. Chemical processing equipment repairer
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, controller mechanics are more likely to have skills like "cnc machines," "preventive maintenance," "ventilation," and "ladders." But a chemical processing equipment repairer is more likely to have skills like "decontamination equipment," "damage assessment," "mos," and "ait."
Most chemical processing equipment repairers achieve a similar degree level compared to controller mechanics. For example, they're 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Controller mechanic vs. Machine repairman
Types of controller mechanic
Updated January 8, 2025
