Equipment Installation Lead III

The Fountain Group; Newton (NC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Fountain Group is seeking a Mechanical Equipment Installation Lead for a Newton, NC project. You will provide on-site leadership for complex mechanical installations, directing crews, coordinating vendors, and ensuring safety and quality in line with engineering specs.

Responsibilities include leading multi-line equipment installations, debugging production lines, and mentoring junior technicians. Strong knowledge of mechanical systems and problem solving are essential for success in this

Qualifications

• Associate degree or substantial hands-on experience in mechanical installations.
• Minimum of three years installing new equipment in manufacturing environments.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and schematics.
• Experience leading installation crews and coordinating projects.

Responsibilities

• Maintain safe work practices and report hazards.
• Lead installation and debugging to meet milestones.
• Design and implement mechanical solutions to improve equipment capability.
• Resolve mechanical issues through data analysis and collaboration with SMEs.
• Manage spare-parts and inventory across plants.
• Create and maintain engineering/operations documentation.
• Train operations personnel on equipment/process changes.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting of pumps, motors, conveyors, hydraulics, pneumatics.
• Align, test, and calibrate mechanical systems after installation.
• Diagnose complex failures and recommend solutions.
• Use blueprints, schematics, and manuals for troubleshooting.
• Identify opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, safety.

Skills

Leadership

Reading drawings/schematics

Mechanical aptitude

Problem-solving

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Associate degree

High school diploma with hands-on experience

Mechatronics trade credentials (preferred)

Tools

Hand tools

Power tools

Diagnostic equipment

CMMS

Measurement tools

Job description

The Fountain Group iscurrently seeking an Mechanical Equipment Installation Lead for a prominent client of ours. This position is located in Newton, NC.

Details for the position are as follows:

Title: Mechanical Equipment Installation Lead

Location: Newton, NC 28658

Duration: 12 months (Possible extension/conversion based on performance and budget)

Hourly Rate on W2: $40-51/hr.

Job Description

The Equipment Installation Lead is a senior technical role responsible for directing and performing complex mechanical equipment installations. This position provides on-site leadership, technical expertise, and project coordination to ensure installations are completed safely, on schedule, and in accordance with engineering specifications, quality standards, and customer requirements. The Lead Technician also serves as a subject matter expert and mentors' junior technicians.

• This Engineering Project role focuses on capacity expansion and the mechanical installation and debugging of associated production lines.
• Lead or participate in manufacturing engineering projects and teams involving capacity installations, equipment debugging, and preparation of production lines and related components for Operations acceptance.
• Apply advanced mechanical expertise to identify root causes and implement robust, production-ready solutions during line installations and debugging.
• Apply knowledge of mechanical and electrical engineering, machining, and design processes to improve equipment and manufacturing performance.
• Lead and support project planning and execution to provide timely, error-free mechanical support for multi-line equipment installations.
• Work effectively with vendors and suppliers to resolve technical issues while protecting project scope, schedule, and cost.
• Collaborate across functional groups and apply best practices to achieve daily project goals.
• Interpret and work from detailed engineering drawings, schematics, blueprints, and installation manuals.
• Perform advanced mechanical work, including rigging, leveling, precision alignment, torquing, piping, and mechanical integration.
• Troubleshoot and resolve installation problems, equipment malfunctions, and mechanical interferences.
• Verify that installations comply with OEM specifications, safety codes, and quality standards.

Team Leadership & Coordination

Serve as the on-site Lead Technician, directing the daily work of installation crews and subcontractors.

Assign tasks, track progress, and ensure labor and resources are used efficiently.

Train and mentor junior technicians through hands-on guidance and technical instruction.

Act as the primary technical liaison among field teams, engineers, project managers, and customers.

Quality & Documentation

Perform inspections and quality checks throughout installation.

Complete installation reports, checklists, punch lists, and as-built documentation.

Support equipment testing, startup, and customer acceptance.

Project Support

Support installation planning, sequencing, and scheduling.

Coordinate the materials, tools, and equipment required for installation.

Promote continuous improvement and best practices in installation methods.

Daily Responsibilities

• Maintain safe work practices and promptly report hazardous conditions or unsafe behaviors to the project team.
• Lead installation and debugging activities to meet milestones and schedules for successful capacity expansions.
• Design and implement mechanical solutions and process changes that improve manufacturing equipment capability.
• Resolve mechanical and process issues through data analysis, experience, and collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Manage spare-parts identification and storeroom entry based on supplier or engineering recommendations, accounting for available inventory across both plants.
• Create and maintain engineering and operations documentation.
• Train operations personnel on equipment and process changes.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting, diagnosis, and repair of mechanical systems and equipment, including pumps, motors, conveyors, hydraulics, and pneumatics.
• Align, test, and calibrate mechanical systems after installation.
• Diagnose complex mechanical failures and recommend effective solutions.
• Use blueprints, schematics, and technical manuals to support troubleshooting and repairs.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, efficiency, and safety.
• Partner with other departments to implement process improvements.

Qualifications

Required Education:

Associate degree.

A high school diploma may be accepted with substantial hands-on experience.

Required Experience:

At least three years of experience installing new equipment in a manufacturing environment; startup experience is preferred.

Experience managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, changing environment.

Strong knowledge of mechanical systems, industrial equipment, and installation methods.

Demonstrated ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation.

Experience leading crews in industrial, manufacturing, semiconductor, energy, or similar environments.

Required Skills:

Ability to quickly learn new technologies and processes.

Strong technical foundation and mechanical engineering skills.

Ability to independently prioritize and manage multiple tasks in a fast-paced manufacturing installation environment.

Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Expertise in pneumatics, bearings, gear systems, conveyors, and other mechanical systems.

Ability to interpret technical drawings, blueprints, and schematics.

Proficiency with hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment.

Strong problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking abilities.

Knowledge of industrial safety regulations and practices.

Basic computer skills for recordkeeping and use of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).

Certifications:

Mechatronics trade credentials are highly preferred.

Relevant mechanical or industrial certifications, such as Millwright, or Welding, are a plus.