Controls & Maintenance Technician - TPM & Automation

Handytube Corporation; Delaware; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

HandyTube Corporation in Camden, Delaware, is seeking a Controls & Maintenance Technician to support manufacturing operations with troubleshooting, repair, and reliability improvements. This hands-on role emphasizes equipment uptime, automation support, and operator-driven maintenance.

You will work with Maintenance, Engineering, Production and vendors to diagnose issues, implement corrective actions, and drive TPM adoption while developing equipment care standards and training operators to

Qualifications

• Associate degree or technical certification in Industrial Maintenance or related field (e.g., Electrical Technology, Mechatronics).
• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance and troubleshooting experience in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of electrical systems, motor controls, VFDs, PLCs, sensors, and industrial automation.
• Experience with CMMS and maintenance work order processes.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical manuals.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, and industrial control systems.
• Support commissioning, startup, and validation of new equipment and systems.
• Diagnose communication issues involving Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and other industrial protocols.
• Maintain and update electrical schematics and controls documentation.
• Collaborate with Maintenance, Engineering, Production and external vendors to resolve complex controls issues.
• Document repairs, troubleshooting findings, and corrective actions within the CMMS system.

Skills

Electrical systems

Motor controls

PLCs

Industrial automation

Troubleshooting

Education

Associate degree or technical certification in Industrial Maintenance

Tools

CMMS

Allen-Bradley PLCs

Siemens PLCs

Job description

Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (NYSE: SPLP; www.steelpartners.com) is a publicly traded diversified global holding company that has significant interests in leading companies in various industries including diversified industrial products, energy, defense, banking, insurance, food products and services, oilfield services, sports, training, education, and the entertainment and lifestyle industries.

As long-term investors, Steel Partners has focused on enhancing value through the implementation of operational excellence, corporate strategic restructuring programs and other components of the Steel Partners culture - what we call “The Steel Way.” Together, Steel Partners businesses generate $3.4 billion in revenue and employ more than 13,000 people in 18 countries.

To find out more about the company, please visit www.SteelPartners.com.

HandyTube Corporation is a seamless specialty tubing manufacturer based in Camden, Delaware. As a premium manufacturer, HandyTube provides customer-specific solutions for the flow of gas, steam, and liquids in the most harsh and demanding environments. The Company’s process allows it to produce made-to-order, seamless, stainless steel and specialty alloy tubing ranging from one inch in diameter to finer than a human hair, and in continuous lengths that can exceed a mile. Dedicated to high-quality service and products. HandyTube’s highly experienced engineers provide expertise on new product development through continuous improvement and lean manufacturing and work successfully with customers globally to take products and projects from initial concept to full scale implementation.

Customers rely on the Company’s team of engineers to refine ideas, explore options, create new solutions, analyze values, and deliver on commitments.

Reporting to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager, the Controls & Maintenance Technician will be responsible for supporting manufacturing operations through troubleshooting, repair, equipment reliability improvements, and control system support. This position combines industrial maintenance and controls responsibilities with a focus on equipment uptime, corrective maintenance, automation support, operator-driven equipment care, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The Controls & Maintenance Technician will work closely with Maintenance, Engineering, Production, and external vendors to diagnose equipment issues, implement corrective actions, support capital projects, and improve overall equipment performance. The position will also support the facility's transition from a traditional Preventative Maintenance (PM) program to a Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) system by developing equipment care standards, training operators, improving equipment ownership at the production level, and driving reliability improvements throughout the organization.

This role is hands-on and requires strong mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls troubleshooting skills.

Note: This position is not responsible for performing scheduled Preventative Maintenance (PM) activities. Preventative Maintenance scheduling and execution responsibilities remain assigned through the Maintenance Planning and Scheduling function. This role focuses on equipment reliability, corrective maintenance, TPM implementation, and operator engagement.

Key Responsibilities

Controls System Support

• Troubleshoot and repair PLC, HMI, VFD, servo, and industrial control systems.
  • Assist with modifications to existing control programs and machine interfaces.
  • Support commissioning, startup, and validation of new equipment and systems.
  • Diagnose communication issues involving Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and other industrial protocols.
  • Work with Engineering and external vendors to resolve complex controls issues.
  • Maintain and update electrical schematics and controls documentation.

Equipment Reliability & Corrective Maintenance

• Respond to equipment breakdowns and perform corrective maintenance activities.
  • Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and process-related equipment failures.
  • Identify root causes of recurring equipment issues and implement corrective actions.
  • Repair and maintain production equipment, support systems, and facility infrastructure.
  • Support machine rebuilds, equipment upgrades, and reliability improvement projects.
  • Assist in maintaining spare parts inventories and identifying critical replacement components.
  • Document repairs, troubleshooting findings, and corrective actions within the CMMS system.
  • Utilize equipment history and failure analysis to improve equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.

Total Productive Maintenance (TPM)

• Support the transition from Preventative Maintenance (PM) to Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) methodologies.
  • Develop and implement operator-based equipment care standards.
  • Train and coach operators on basic equipment inspections, cleaning, lubrication, adjustment, and condition monitoring activities.
  • Assist in establishing autonomous maintenance programs throughout manufacturing operations.
  • Identify opportunities to improve Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE), equipment reliability, and asset utilization.
  • Develop visual controls, inspection standards, TPM documentation, and equipment ownership processes.
  • Participate in focused improvement activities targeting chronic equipment losses and downtime.
  • Collaborate with Production to establish equipment ownership and accountability at the operator level.
  • Support predictive and condition-based maintenance initiatives where applicable.

Manufacturing & Continuous Improvement

• Analyze equipment performance and identify opportunities to reduce downtime.
  • Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and reliability.
  • Collaborate with Production and Engineering to improve equipment performance and process capability.
  • Assist with installation and integration of new manufacturing equipment.
  • Participate in root cause investigations and corrective action implementation.
  • Support Lean Manufacturing, TPM, Operational Excellence, and reliability improvement initiatives.

Project Support

• Assist Engineering and Maintenance Management with capital projects and equipment installations.
  • Coordinate contractor activities during equipment upgrades and maintenance projects.
  • Support project planning, equipment layout reviews, and startup activities.
  • Maintain project documentation and technical records.
  • Participate in equipment acceptance testing, commissioning, and validation activities.

Qualifications

• Associate degree, technical certification, or equivalent experience in Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Technology, Mechatronics, Controls Technology, or related field.
  • Minimum 3–5 years of industrial maintenance and troubleshooting experience in a manufacturing environment.
  • Strong knowledge of electrical systems, motor controls, VFDs, PLCs, sensors, and industrial automation.
  • Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and technical manuals.
  • Experience troubleshooting hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
  • Familiarity with CMMS systems and maintenance work order processes.
  • Working knowledge of TPM principles, autonomous maintenance, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement practices preferred.
  • Working knowledge of industrial safety standards including Lockout/Tagout procedures.
  • Experience with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar PLC platforms preferred.
  • Welding, machining, fabrication, and machine rebuilding experience is a plus.

Other Requirements

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to train and mentor operators in TPM and equipment care activities.
  • Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds and working in industrial environments.
  • Ability to work occasional overtime and support emergency equipment repairs as required.
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills.
  • Positive attitude, good judgment, and commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned.

Position Objectives

Success in this role will be measured by:

• Reduction in unplanned equipment downtime.
  • Improvement in equipment reliability and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
  • Increased operator participation in TPM and autonomous maintenance activities.
  • Reduction in recurring equipment failures.
  • Improved equipment availability and manufacturing throughput.
  • Successful implementation of TPM principles throughout manufacturing operations.
  • Enhanced collaboration between Maintenance, Engineering, and Production.

Requirements

Other Requirements

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities.
  • Ability to train and mentor operators in TPM and equipment care activities.
  • Ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
  • Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds and working in industrial environments.
  • Ability to work occasional overtime and support emergency equipment repairs as required.
  • Strong communication and teamwork skills.
  • Positive attitude, good judgment, and commitment to continuous improvement.
  • Performs all other duties as assigned.

Salary Range

Hourly - General (Resume Optional)

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