Maintenance Lead

Cyclic Materials; Eastern Ontario; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A sustainable cleantech company in Kingston, Ontario is seeking a Maintenance Lead. The role involves supervising a team, managing preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting industrial machinery. Candidates must have a 433A Industrial Millwright license and at least 5 years of experience in industrial maintenance. The company offers a competitive salary and opportunities for growth in a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary package

Health and wellness benefits

Opportunities for growth

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial maintenance, preferably in metal recycling or manufacturing.
• Forklift certification is a must.
• Ability to travel to the USA for job-related training.

Responsibilities

• Supervise maintenance staff and manage spare parts.
• Lead installation and maintenance of machinery.
• Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.

Skills

Mechanical systems understanding

Troubleshooting mechanical issues

Analytical skills

Teamwork and communication

Safety awareness

Education

433A Industrial Millwright license

High school diploma or GED

Technical training in electrical or mechanical systems

Job description

Cyclic Materials is one of the most exciting cleantech companies in North America.

We are addressing environmental, geopolitical, and supply chain challenges by recovering rare earth elements and other valuable materials from many products of the modern world. We provide the market with a secure and regional supply of metals critical to the energy transition, and do so in an ethical, economically viable, and sustainable way.

With the global market for magnet rare earth elements forecast to increase dramatically by 2030, establishing new sources of these critical elements will be vital to support the electrification of transportation and energy across Canada, North America, and around the world. Cyclic Materials is positioned to be a key player in developing a circular economy to support the energy transition.

We are a passionate, driven group of people who bring a dedication to the entrepreneurial spirit paired with a desire to make a meaningful positive impact on the planet. Cyclic Materials believes in fostering a culture of respect and support across all our stakeholders.

Join our team and help build a global recycling cleantech company!

Job Overview

Reporting to the Plant Manager, the maintenance lead will supervise a small team, manage PM programs, optimize spare parts and troubleshoot machinery such as shredders, pumps, and conveyors. The role requires strong technical expertise in industrial machinery, including mechanical and electrical systems used in metal sorting, shredding, and processing operations. The Maintenance Lead plays a key role in maintaining high equipment uptime, safety compliance, and continuous improvement within a dynamic, growing facility.

Key Responsibilities

Preproduction activities include:

• Assist in installation of equipment
• Define equipment PM requirements
• Assist in defining spare parts requirements
• Set-up of Maintenance shop
• Assist in defining work order system requirements
• Assist in writing SOPs and Maintenance work permits
• May assist in completion of Functional Acceptance Tests of equipment
• Complete preproduction training

Postproduction activities include:

• Lead and instruct maintenance staff
• Manage spare parts to ensure parts are available for optimum plant reliability
• Work on the tools required to help maintenance staff in breakdown recovery and planned maintenance activities
• Organize and manage contractor activities as required
• Issue Work Permits as required, and work with site admin to ensure proper tracking
• Collaborate with engineering and site administration to:
  • Manage the maintenance PM plan
  • Maintain the work order tracking system
• Install, assemble, and maintain machinery such as pumps, agitators, shredders, crushers, milling equipment and other mechanical systems used in industry
• Perform routine inspections and preventive maintenance on mechanical equipment to minimize downtime and prevent major failures.
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical issues, including motors, gearboxes, bearings, and hydraulic systems.
• Provide troubleshooting support to diagnose and resolve issues related to both mechanical and electrical failures.
• Utilize diagnostic tools and test equipment to assess equipment performance and identify the root cause of malfunctions.

Safety and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations regarding equipment operation and maintenance.
• Assist with maintaining the facility’s compliance with environmental and safety regulations, particularly related to hazardous materials handling and waste management.
• Follow strict safety protocols, including lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) procedures, to ensure the safety of personnel while working on machinery and electrical systems.

Equipment Installation and Upgrades

• Assist in the installation of new equipment or upgrades to existing systems to improve plant efficiency and productivity.
• Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, parts used, and inspections.

Collaboration and Communication

• Work closely with plant operators, production teams, and other maintenance staff to address operational issues and prioritize maintenance tasks.
• Communicate effectively with supervisors and management to report on equipment status, issues, and required parts.

Qualifications

• 433A Industrial Millwright license
• Education: High school diploma or GED required; technical training in electrical or mechanical systems, or relevant certifications preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in industrial maintenance, preferably in a metal recycling or manufacturing environment.
• Forklift certification is a must.
• Ability to travel to USA for job-related training as required.

Specific Skills

Technical

• Strong understanding and demonstrated experience with mechanical systems (hydraulics, pneumatics, gearboxes, motors, etc.).
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical blueprints and schematics.
• Demonstrated experience in welding, fabrication, and other machining processes is an asset.
• Understanding basic electrical troubleshooting activities, motor control systems, PLCs, and VFDs.

Safety Awareness

• Knowledge of safety standards and procedures for industrial operations.

Problem‑Solving

• Strong analytical skills to identify and resolve issues efficiently.

Physical Demands

• Ability to work in physically demanding conditions, including lifting heavy objects, standing for extended periods, and working in confined spaces.

Teamwork

• Effective communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with colleagues across departments.

Working Conditions

• This position may require working in outdoor or indoor environments, with exposure to noise, dust, and varying weather conditions.
• The job may involve shift work, weekend shifts, or on‑call availability depending on operational needs.
• Personal protective equipment (PPE) is required at all times.

What we can offer you

• An impactful company improving the sustainability of critical materials production.
• The opportunities of a young and fast‑growing company. Your success is our success!
• Opportunities for growth.
• A dynamic work environment that’s focused on learning with accelerated career paths.
• A competitive salary package.
• Health and wellness benefits.

Learn more about Cyclic Materials here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEf6tR-TmAc

An Equal Opportunity employer, at Cyclic Materials, equality is a core tenet of our culture. We are committed to building an inclusive global team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, beliefs, and experiences. The more diverse we are, the richer our community and the broader our impact.

Applicants for employment in the Canada and US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States or Canada and with Cyclic Materials (i.e., H1-B visa, F-1 visa (OPT), TN, L1-A visa or any other non‑immigrant status).