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What does a senior maintenance mechanic do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

Senior Maintenance Mechanics are responsible for maintaining, repairing, and installing machines and equipment. Their duties include carrying out diagnostic tests, sound, and visual inspections, repairing faulty parts of machines, undertaking emergency repairs, performing machine alignment and calibration as well as monitoring the progress of a project. Senior Maintenance Mechanics ensure duties adhere to safety regulations and procedures. They also provide mentorship to junior team members in executing required tasks.

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Senior maintenance mechanic responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real senior maintenance mechanic resumes:

  • Manage spreadsheets to track mowing, watering, and tree planting schedules.
  • Follow OSHA guidelines for safety.
  • Maintain a safe environment in compliance with OSHA regulations.
  • Execute start up of conveyor system using PLC on a daily basis.
  • Maintain and repair automate sort system and PLC control conveyors and all relate equipment.
  • Remove defective parts by dismantling devices; using hoists, and hand and power tools.
  • Train in-house staff to take on HVAC responsibilities, bringing about dramatic cost savings by decreasing reliance on outside HVAC contractors.
  • Maintain all plumbing repairs and fix damaged sanitary fittings.
  • Maintain all aspects of facility-relate plumbing requirements; i.e.
  • Develop and implement new calibration program for all HVAC system components, driving efficiency improvements.
  • Provide supervision and direction for all housekeeping/maintenance activities and ensure the highest level of cleanliness to maintain overall guest satisfaction.
  • Provide supervision and direction for all housekeeping/maintenance activities and ensure the highest level of cleanliness to maintain overall guest satisfaction.

Senior maintenance mechanic skills and personality traits

We calculated that 9% of Senior Maintenance Mechanics are proficient in Preventative Maintenance, HVAC, and Plumbing. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Dexterity, and Troubleshooting skills.

We break down the percentage of Senior Maintenance Mechanics that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Preventative Maintenance, 9%

    Aided in conversion to Pfizer procedures and development / refinement of preventative maintenance programs.

  • HVAC, 9%

    Trained in-house staff to take on HVAC responsibilities, bringing about dramatic cost savings by decreasing reliance on outside HVAC contractors.

  • Plumbing, 8%

    Maintained all plumbing repairs and fixed damaged sanitary fittings.

  • Hand Tools, 6%

    Shaped and cut materials to specified measurements, using hand tools, machines, or power saws.

  • Ladders, 5%

    Fabricated access ladders and custom tooling to support manufacturing operations.

  • Mechanical Equipment, 4%

    Work on electrical and mechanical equipment.

Most senior maintenance mechanics use their skills in "preventative maintenance," "hvac," and "plumbing" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential senior maintenance mechanic responsibilities here:

Customer-service skills. One of the key soft skills for a senior maintenance mechanic to have is customer-service skills. You can see how this relates to what senior maintenance mechanics do because "these workers interact with customers on a regular basis." Additionally, a senior maintenance mechanic resume shows how senior maintenance mechanics use customer-service skills: "perform painting, basic carpentry, electrical, hvac, plumbing and customer requests. "

Dexterity. Many senior maintenance mechanic duties rely on dexterity. "many repair and maintenance tasks, such as repairing small devices, connecting or attaching components, and using hand tools, require a steady hand and good hand–eye coordination.," so a senior maintenance mechanic will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways senior maintenance mechanic responsibilities rely on dexterity: "repair fluorescent and hid lighting systems using aerial lifts, bucket trucks, ladders and scaffolding. "

Troubleshooting skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of senior maintenance mechanics is troubleshooting skills. This skill is critical to many everyday senior maintenance mechanic duties, as "workers find, diagnose, and repair problems." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "maintain assigned area, support surrounding areas with electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills. "

Most common senior maintenance mechanic skills

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Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
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Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
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Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume
Senior Maintenance Mechanic Resume

Compare different senior maintenance mechanics

Senior maintenance mechanic vs. Lead mechanic

A lead mechanic coordinates the teams of mechanics and ensures the timely completion of repairs. Lead mechanics supervise their subordinates, order mechanical parts, and inspect their work making sure that the standards are met. They are responsible for repairing, overhauling, and maintaining vehicles or farm equipment. It is their job to provide support and give advice on matters associated with repairs. They also conduct road tests and maintain the repair of equipment. They should also have leadership and strong communication skills.

The annual salary of lead mechanics is $3,192 higher than the average salary of senior maintenance mechanics.Even though senior maintenance mechanics and lead mechanics are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require hvac, hand tools, and mechanical equipment in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a senior maintenance mechanic are more likely to require skills like "preventative maintenance," "plumbing," "ladders," and "electrical equipment." On the other hand, a job as a lead mechanic requires skills like "preventive maintenance," "diagnosis," "landing gear," and "diesel engines." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Lead mechanics tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $60,789. In contrast, senior maintenance mechanics make the biggest average salary, $59,585, in the pharmaceutical industry.lead mechanics tend to reach similar levels of education than senior maintenance mechanics. In fact, lead mechanics are 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Senior maintenance mechanic vs. Maintenance engineer

A maintenance engineer is responsible for the maintenance of industrial machinery and inspects equipment defects for immediate troubleshooting or replacement as needed. Maintenance engineers install and upgrade system components to improve system optimization and perform diagnostic systems to locate any adjustments. They also conduct routine checks, assist clients with technical faults, and ensure that the equipment works safely for certain operations. A maintenance engineer must have excellent knowledge of the mechanical industry to address technical malfunctions immediately.

Maintenance engineer positions earn lower pay than senior maintenance mechanic roles. They earn a $4,146 lower salary than senior maintenance mechanics per year.A few skills overlap for senior maintenance mechanics and maintenance engineers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "hvac," "plumbing," and "hand tools. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, senior maintenance mechanic responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "preventative maintenance," "general maintenance," "gmp," and "safety regulations." Meanwhile, a maintenance engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "guest rooms," "maintenance tasks," "boilers," and "kitchen equipment." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

In general, maintenance engineers achieve similar levels of education than senior maintenance mechanics. They're 2.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Senior maintenance mechanic vs. Maintenance supervisor

A maintenance supervisor is responsible for directing and managing the overall maintenance department, inspecting the safety of operation equipment, and ensuring that everyone follows the standards and regulatory procedures to keep the production area safe and efficient. Maintenance supervisor duties also include delegating tasks to the maintenance personnel, evaluating the site condition regularly, reviewing inventory, and requesting stocks as necessary. They must also keep track of incident reports and connect with the operations management for any concerns and recommendations.

An average maintenance supervisor eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of senior maintenance mechanics. The difference in salaries amounts to maintenance supervisors earning a $6,395 higher average salary than senior maintenance mechanics.senior maintenance mechanics and maintenance supervisors both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "preventative maintenance," "hvac," and "plumbing," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, senior maintenance mechanics are more likely to have skills like "control systems," "gmp," "facilities maintenance," and "sops." But a maintenance supervisor is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "safety standards," "cleanliness," and "maintenance tasks."

Maintenance supervisors earn the best pay in the automotive industry, where they command an average salary of $73,337. Senior maintenance mechanics earn the highest pay from the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $59,585.When it comes to education, maintenance supervisors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to senior maintenance mechanics. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Senior maintenance mechanic vs. Maintenance helper

A maintenance helper performs basic support tasks to assist maintenance technicians in installing and repairing machines and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and handing tools, changing fixtures such as light bulbs and faucets, preparing workspaces, and cleaning work areas and equipment. They may also liaise with vendors or suppliers, build positive relationships with clients, and handle calls and correspondence. Moreover, maintenance helper must utilize their experiences to learn more complex tasks and gain industry insight.

Maintenance helpers typically earn lower pay than senior maintenance mechanics. On average, maintenance helpers earn a $20,455 lower salary per year.According to resumes from senior maintenance mechanics and maintenance helpers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "hvac," "plumbing," and "hand tools. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "preventative maintenance," "general maintenance," "mechanical systems," and "production equipment" are skills that commonly show up on senior maintenance mechanic resumes. On the other hand, maintenance helpers use skills like preventive maintenance, maintenance tasks, grounds maintenance, and a/c on their resumes.maintenance helpers enjoy the best pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $37,360. For comparison, senior maintenance mechanics earn the highest salary in the pharmaceutical industry.The average resume of maintenance helpers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to senior maintenance mechanics. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 3.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.1%.

Types of senior maintenance mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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