Maintenance Mechanic IV

Ascend Performance Materials; Decatur (AL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascend Performance Materials is seeking a skilled maintenance technician to support safe, reliable plant operations. The role emphasizes advanced troubleshooting, mechanical aptitude, and root cause analysis to eliminate failures in rotating and fixed equipment.

You will read blueprints and specifications, perform precision maintenance with dial indicators and micrometers, and participate in outages and continuous improvement initiatives across the site.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or high school diploma (or equivalent).
• Achievement of a 4 or higher in Work Keys Locating Information and Applied Technology.
• Millwright/Mechanical experience in a chemical plant or other industrial facility preferred.
• Experience maintaining rotating and fixed equipment in an industrial setting preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair process equipment and rotating equipment.
• Troubleshoot and diagnose equipment failures to improve reliability.
• Coordinate with Operations and manufacturing to support maintenance needs.
• Read and interpret blueprints, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
• Perform precision maintenance using dial indicators, micrometers, and gauges.
• Support planned outages and emergency repairs.
• Maintain maintenance documentation and complete work orders.
• Respond to off-shift call-ins and overtime as required.

Skills

Maintenance process knowledge

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Measurement tools

Welding (oxy-acetylene, TIG, stick)

Laser alignment

Pipefitting

Teamwork & communication

Education

High school diploma or Associate degree

Tools

Dial indicators

Micrometers

Feeler gauges

Laser alignment equipment

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

This position partners closely with Operations and other site functions to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations. The role requires advanced troubleshooting capability, strong mechanical aptitude, and the ability to identify and eliminate root causes of equipment failures. The successful candidate will perform maintenance and repair activities on a wide range of rotating and fixed equipment while supporting continuous improvement initiatives and plant reliability objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain and repair process equipment, mechanical systems, and associated equipment including pumps, heat exchangers, tanks, valves, vessels, piping systems, and rotating equipment
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment using analytical, step-by-step problem-solving methods, standard maintenance procedures, and troubleshooting guidelines
• Diagnose equipment failures and identify root causes to improve equipment reliability and prevent repeat failures
• Coordinate with equipment owners, Operations, and manufacturing groups to support plant maintenance needs and production objectives
• Read, interpret, and work from blueprints, P&IDs, mechanical drawings, equipment manuals, and specifications
• Perform precision maintenance activities using dial indicators, micrometers, feeler gauges, and other precision measuring tools
• Utilize laser alignment equipment and other predictive or precision maintenance technologies where applicable
• Support planned outages, emergency repairs, and turnaround activities
• Maintain accurate maintenance documentation and complete assigned work orders in a timely manner
• Respond to off‑shift call‑ins and work overtime or unscheduled hours as required to support plant operations
• Follow all safety procedures, quality requirements, and site maintenance standards while promoting a strong safety culture

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

• Associates degree or High School diploma (or equivalent)
• Achievement of a 4 or higher in the following Work Keys Assessments: Locating Information Applied Technology
• Millwright/Mechanical experience in a chemical plant or other industrial facility preferred
• Experience maintaining rotating and fixed equipment in an industrial setting preferred

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Demonstrated knowledge of maintenance work process and maintenance best practices
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause problem‑solving skills
• Demonstrated ownership and initiative to improve systems, processes, and equipment reliability
• Strong bias toward fact‑based, data‑driven decision making
• Demonstrated proficiency using precision measurement and alignment tools
• Strong interpersonal, teamwork, communication, and organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to be certified with oxy‑acetylene torch, TIG and stick welding
• Knowledge and experience with laser alignment instruments preferred
• Demonstrated pipefitting and mechanical repair capabilities
• Ability to complete multiple tasks accurately and timely with minimal direct supervision
• Basic computer skills including MS Windows and MS Office applications
• Knowledge of quality systems and ISO 9001 requirements preferred
• Ability to work effectively in a team‑oriented industrial environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Ability to meet all physical requirements of an industrial manufacturing environment
• Ability to climb ladders, work at heights, walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, and sit for extended periods
• Good hand‑eye coordination and manual dexterity
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying seasonal weather conditions
• Ability to wear required PPE including respirators and breathing air equipment
• Ability to work around industrial equipment, noise, heat, and process environments
• Ability to work overtime, call‑ins, and varying schedules as required to support plant operations

At Ascend Performance Materials, we value transparency and fairness in our hiring process. We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third‑party recruiters, search firms, or staffing agencies. Any resumes received from such entities will be considered the property of Ascend Performance Materials, and we will not be obligated to pay any fees for such submissions. Our Talent Acquisition Team actively engages with preferred recruitment partners who have established agreements with us. We encourage all interested candidates to apply directly through our official channels to be considered for any open positions.

About Us: Ascend Performance Materials is the premium provider of high quality chemicals, fibers and plastics. With world scale integrated manufacturing facilities we are able to develop new products from our core technologies, and provide flexibility to respond to the expanding needs of customers. Ascend has global sales and distribution facilities across the globe and six manufacturing facilities globally. As a privately‑held company, our people do big things and make big decisions, often much earlier in their careers than at larger companies. Ascend Performance Materials offers team members the opportunity to contribute in big, meaningful ways—all within a stable and growing business.

Why work at Ascend? Our vision is to be the recognized leader in the nylon 6,6 value chain, creating new possibilities with PA66 for everyone, everywhere, every day. We achieve that through living our Ascend values. We care. We operate safely with high integrity for our employees, our customers and our communities. Our people are our greatest assets, and our Total Rewards Program extends beyond traditional benefits to include access to on‑site medical clinics at our U.S. facilities, a global wellness rewards program and Performance Matters, an employee‑driven recognition plan. Our Commitment to Zero demonstrates our belief that is it possible to operate with zero personal injuries, zero process safety incidents and zero environmental releases. And the Ascend Cares Foundation, led by Ascend employees, supports Ascend families in times of need, provides inspiring opportunities for community engagement and facilitates community leadership. Customer‑focused. We exist for our customers; they drive our actions. Their success is our success. Our plastics and chemicals are building blocks that help make everyday essentials safer and more sustainable, and we constantly strive to develop new and innovative products to meet the future needs of our customers. And that customer focus doesn’t only apply to the marketplace – it also applies to how we treat our colleagues and our fellow community members. Better every day. We invest in our people and our processes to improve every day. A2E, our continuous improvement program, guides the way we do business. And this way of problem solving applies not only to our manufacturing practices but also to our commitment to developing our people. You’ll see it during your career at Ascend in our leadership development, skills training and mentoring programs Agile. We think broadly and lead proactively in a constantly evolving organization and industry. Agility doesn’t mean simply working quickly – it means critical thinking, creative problem solving and novel approaches to everyday challenges. One Ascend. All together, with a common set of goals and an eye toward the future. We don’t accept silos. We look for ways to share across departments, sites and geography. This means you won’t be boxed into a single role at Ascend – you could get the chance to work with teams across the globe to improve the way we serve our people, our customers and our communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, citizenship, genetic information or other protected status under federal, state or local laws.