Maintenance Mechanic – Lead

Solenis LLC; Suffolk, Northern (VA, KY); Hybrid; USD 64,000 - 94,000; Full time

Job summary

Solenis LLC is seeking a Lead Maintenance Mechanic to install, maintain, and troubleshoot equipment in the VFA plant, developing weekly maintenance work schedules and supporting shutdown planning. The role supports commissioning and startup of a new plant on site and collaborates with Operations, Engineering, and Contractors to ensure continuous production.

The position offers a 40-hour Monday-Friday daytime schedule with potential up to 48 hours of overtime monthly to cover vacations, and

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years maintenance experience in an industrial plant, preferably chemical operations.
• Good working knowledge of Millwright work, Machining, and/or Pipefitting.
• Knowledge of drive train equipment (gears, bearings, belts).
• Rotating Equipment Alignment experience is preferred.
• Rigging experience is preferred, along with operation of lifting equipment.
• Capability of using various types of measuring instruments necessary for the job.
• Ability to lift 55 pounds, excessive walking, bending, and climbing stairs; operate a forklift and cleaning equipment.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain plant equipment including pumps, valves, scrubbers, agitators, fans, heat exchangers, relief devices, vacuum pumps and systems, and vessels in chemical production and packaging processes.
• Generate weekly work schedule for maintenance technicians in SAP by organizing with various departments.
• Cover shifts for mechanics who are on vacation as needed.
• Assist in commissioning and startup activities on the new plant, including contributing to procedure development, trainings, and troubleshooting.
• Demonstrate safety and environmental responsibility per company policies; follow PPE requirements and regulatory guidelines.

Skills

Millwright work

Machining

Pipefitting

Rotating equipment

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

Solenis is a leading global provider of water and hygiene solutions. The company’s product portfolio includes a broad array of water treatment chemistries, process aids, functional additives, cleaners, disinfectants, and state-of-the-art monitoring, control and delivery systems. These technologies are used by customers to improve operational efficiencies, enhance product quality, protect plant assets, minimize environmental impact, and create cleaner and safer environments. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, the company has 78 manufacturing facilities strategically located around the globe and employs a team of over ~23000 professionals in >160 countries across six continents. Solenis is a 2025 Best Managed Company Gold Standard honoree. For additional information about Solenis, please visit www.solenis.com or follow us on social media.

At Solenis, we understand that our greatest asset is our people. That is why we offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits which include medical, dental, vision & 401K, and numerous opportunities for professional growth and development.

The Lead Maintenance Mechanic will be responsible for installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting equipment in the VFA plant to allow for safe and continuous operation, along with developing weekly maintenance work schedules for mechanics and E/I trades on the VFA plant during normal operation. This role will also work with other plant personnel to develop shutdown schedules. This role will work with Operations, Engineering, and Contractors on a daily basis to support continuous production, once the VFA plant is commissioned. Prior to that milestone, the mechanic will support plant testing, commissioning, and startup, by working alongside existing site mechanics and contractors. This role will support the commissioning and startup of a new plant on site.

While the role will be a 40 hour Monday-Friday daytime schedule, this person should be willing to work up to 48 hours (4 days) overtime monthly as required to cover vacation on day and/or night shift.

Principal Accountabilities

Troubleshoot, repair, and maintain plant equipment including pumps, valves, scrubbers, agitators, fans, heat exchangers, relief devices, vacuum pumps and systems, and vessels in chemical production and packaging processes, including assisting in identifying root causes, and proposing solutions

Perform testing, troubleshooting, calibration, configuration, repair, and replacement of site process mechanical equipment for both simple and complex systems. Includes gathering and analyzing data to determine cause using technical manuals, configuration documents, and drawings

Generate weekly work schedule for maintenance technicians in SAP by organizing with various departments

Cover shifts for mechanics who are on vacation as needed.

Conduct work activities in a manner that protects the safety and health of employees, visitors and the environment as established by company policies and procedures.

Demonstrate basic understanding of how equipment works and the fundamentals of preventive and predictive maintenance

Utilize blueprints, lay‑out drawings, mechanical drawings, schematics, manufacturer specifications and manuals to troubleshoot and repair equipment

Complete and update documentation in equipment records, databases, and drawings to meet regulatory and Solenis requirements.

Assist in commissioning and startup activities on the new plant, including contributing to procedure development, participating in trainings, walking down equipment on the plant post-construction, and troubleshooting issues

Recommend tools, equipment, or methods to improve the safety or timeliness of system repairs or improve reliability.

Able to follow written and verbal instructions with minimal direct supervision to meet daily goals.

Manage all waste streams (non hazardous, hazardous and recyclable material) properly under RCRA and plant guidelines.

Perform basic operation tasks for utility and services equipment including chillers, cooling towers, generators, air compressors, and steam utilization equipment.

Success Criteria

Ensure the integrity and reliability of plant mechanical equipment by developing a full working knowledge of the equipment and processes associated with the plant, offload operations, and packaging

Able to perform maintenance work (install, maintain, repair) on mechanical equipment at a skilled level.

Can recognize safety hazards and support a zero-incident mindset for self and others

Can thrive within a fast-paced, commercially driven environment

Maintain high standards of housekeeping in work area

Stay clean-shaven daily for respirator usage.

Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent experience.

5+ years maintenance experience in an industrial plant, preferably chemical operations.

Possess a good working knowledge of Millwright work, Machining, and/or Pipefitting.

Knowledge of and experience with all types of drive train equipment (gears, bearings, belts)

Rotating Equipment Alignment experience is preferred.

Rigging experience is preferred, along with the operation of lifting equipment.

Capability of using various types of measuring instruments necessary for the job.

Ability to lift 55 pounds, excessive walking, bending, continuous climbing of stairs, operate a forklift and cleaning equipment

Capability to perform basic mathematics, including fractions, decimal, and understanding of different units of measure

Ability to follow direction, and communicate across multiple departments

Able to perform duties in all types of PPE up to an incapsulated suit, able to work in confined spaces and elevated heights.

Strong problem solving and troubleshooting experience.

Must be capable of meeting respiratory protection physical standards and fit test requirements, and become qualified under the site Respiratory Protection program.

Must complete HAZWOPER training and serve on site Emergency Response Team (ERT).

Prior experience with Preventive and Predictive Maintenance preferred.

Experience using PCs and Microsoft Office

Preferred working knowledge of SAP #LI- DS1 #LI-Onsite

The expected compensation range for this position is between $63,830.00 and $93,610.00 plus discretionary bonuses.

Solenis is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability.