Mechanical Helper

Position Summary

The Mechanical Helper supports skilled trades personnel—including mechanics and electricians—with preventive maintenance, equipment repairs, machine cleanouts, and reactive maintenance calls. This position is designed as an apprentice-level opportunity for an individual who wants to build foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in industrial maintenance while working under the direction of qualified tradespeople.

The Mechanical Helper contributes to a safe, clean, and reliable production environment by assisting with assigned work, preparing tools and materials, performing basic support tasks, and learning proper maintenance practices.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist mechanics and electricians with preventive maintenance (PM) activities, inspections, adjustments, lubrication, parts replacement, and other assigned maintenance tasks.
• Support skilled trades with repairs to production equipment, machinery, facility systems, and related components, as directed.
• Respond to reactive maintenance calls by helping diagnose issues, gathering tools and parts, securing the work area, and supporting corrective repairs.
• Perform machine cleanouts, including removing debris, buildup, scrap, and other materials from equipment and surrounding work areas.
• Prepare work areas, tools, equipment, parts, and materials before and during maintenance activities.
• Use basic hand tools and equipment under appropriate direction and training.
• Assist with disassembly, cleaning, reassembly, and functional checks of equipment and components.
• Follow instructions, standard work, maintenance procedures, and established safety requirements.
• Maintain good housekeeping around equipment, work areas, and maintenance shops.
• Identify and promptly report unsafe conditions, equipment abnormalities, leaks, damage, or other concerns to the assigned skilled tradesperson or supervisor.
• Support lockout/tagout and other energy-control practices as instructed and only within the employee’s level of training and authorization.
• Learn to recognize common mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and equipment-related conditions.
• Document completed work and communicate job status, parts needs, and follow-up items as required.
• Perform other related duties in support of the maintenance organization.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, or equivalent practical experience.
• Interest in developing a career in industrial maintenance, mechanical repair, electrical work, or the skilled trades.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and work effectively under the direction of skilled trades personnel.
• Basic mechanical aptitude and willingness to learn how industrial equipment operates.
• Ability to work safely in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Reliable attendance, punctuality, and a team-oriented approach.
• Ability to communicate clearly with mechanics, electricians, supervisors, and other team members.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in manufacturing, maintenance, construction, automotive repair, facilities, or a related hands-on environment.
• Technical coursework, vocational training, apprenticeship experience, or military training related to mechanics, electricity, industrial systems, or maintenance.
• Familiarity with basic hand tools, power tools, shop equipment, or maintenance terminology.
• Experience working around production equipment or responding to maintenance-related work requests.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Willingness to learn from experienced mechanics and electricians and accept coaching.
• Ability to work cooperatively while supporting multiple skilled trades and priorities.
• Attention to detail when cleaning, preparing, inspecting, and reassembling equipment.
• Ability to recognize when a task is outside the employee’s training or authorization and seek assistance.
• Basic problem-solving skills and a dependable approach to assigned work.
• Commitment to safe work practices, housekeeping, and continuous improvement.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Ability to work in a manufacturing or industrial environment with exposure to moving equipment, noise, dust, lubricants, and varying temperatures.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, kneel, climb, reach, and work in awkward positions as required by maintenance activities.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull tools, parts, and materials within established safety guidelines.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), which may include safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, protective footwear, and other task-specific equipment.
• Ability to work scheduled shifts and provide support during reactive maintenance situations, including overtime or nonstandard hours when required by business needs.

Success in This Role

Success in this role means consistently working safely, supporting skilled trades effectively, completing assigned tasks accurately, maintaining clean and organized work areas, and steadily developing the knowledge and skills needed for advancement within the maintenance organization.