Manufacturing Equipment Technician III

Love's Travel Stops; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Love's Travel Stops in Houston, TX seeks a Manufacturing & Equipment Build Technician to assemble and restore production machinery from designs. You will perform mechanical assembly, electrical wiring, diagnostics, and quality testing across the equipment lifecycle.

The role requires 7+ years in industrial equipment, strong safety training (LOTO/OSHA), and experience with CMMS documentation. Occasional travel and vendor coordination are involved, in a family-owned company with a long-standing

Qualifications

• 7+ years’ experience with industrial, energy, or process equipment (mechanical, electrical, controls/instrumentation).
• Experience managing vendors and subcontractors during start-up/testing, including verifying qualifications and resolving issues.
• Experience with hazardous/classified areas and applying safety programs (LOTO, hot work, confined space) during functional testing.
• Proficient with project documentation systems for test records, punch lists, turnover packages, and progress reporting.

Responsibilities

• New Equipment Assembly: Fabricate, build, wire, and assemble new manufacturing equipment and automated systems from scratch based on engineering designs.
• Diagnostics: Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to identify root causes of equipment failure.
• Disassembly: Take apart complex manufacturing machinery and sub-assemblies safely using appropriate rigging and hand tools.
• Part Restoration: Clean, degrease, sandblast, and resurface salvaged components to prepare them for reassembly.
• Repair & Replacement: Install new or reconditioned parts to refurbish equipment for field deployment.
• Testing & Calibration: Run diagnostic software and test cycles to calibrate machinery to specs.
• Documentation: Log build progress, maintenance actions, parts usage, and test results in CMMS.
• Safety & Compliance: Follow lock-out/tag-out protocols and OSHA regulations at all times.

Skills

P&IDs & wiring diagrams

Electrical troubleshooting

Safety compliance (LOTO/OSHA)

Project documentation (CMMS)

Field leadership

Vendor management

Travel readiness

Education

Highschool diploma

Technical degree or cert in mechanics/industrial maintenance

Commissioning certification or OEM certs

Tools

Procore

Job description

BASIC PURPOSE:

The Manufacturing & Equipment Build Technician builds new production machinery from engineering designs and restores used industrial equipment to like-new operating condition. This role spans the entire equipment lifecycle, involving mechanical assembly, electrical wiring, diagnostic troubleshooting, and rigorous quality testing. The ideal candidate ensures asset longevity, supports new production capacity, and maintains strict adherence to safety standards.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• New Equipment Assembly: Fabricate, build, wire, and assemble new manufacturing equipment and automated systems from scratch based on engineering designs.
• Diagnostics: Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to identify root causes of equipment failure.
• Disassembly: Take apart complex manufacturing machinery and sub-assemblies safely using appropriate rigging and hand tools.
• Part Restoration: Clean, degrease, sandblast, and resurface salvaged components to prepare them for reassembly.
• Repair & Replacement: Install new or reconditioned parts in major equipment to refurbish it to “like new” condition and prepare for field deployment.
• Testing & Calibration: Run diagnostic software and test cycles to calibrate both new and refurbished machinery back to original manufacturer specifications.
• Documentation: Log build progress, maintenance actions, parts usage, and test results in the company’s computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Safety & Compliance: Follow lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) protocols and adhere to OSHA safety regulations at all times.
• Other: Any duties assigned by supervisor to support DC operations, as needed.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education:

• Highschool diploma required
• Technical degree or certification in mechanics, industrial maintenance or related field is preferred
• Commissioning certification (e.g., AABC/BCxA or equivalent) and/or OEM technical certifications related to compressors preferred

Required Experience:

• 7+ years’ experience with industrial, energy, or process equipment (mechanical, electrical, controls/instrumentation).
• Experience managing vendors and subcontractors during start-up/testing, including verifying qualifications, and resolving issues.
• Experience with hazardous/classified areas and applying safety programs (LOTO, hot work, confined space) during functional testing.

SKILLS AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Required Skills:

• Proficient with project documentation systems (Procore) for test records, punch lists, turnover packages, and progress reporting.
• Strong working knowledge of equipment start-up, functional testing methods, and basic controls/instrumentation troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, one-lines, wiring diagrams, control narratives, and OEM manuals.
• Outstanding communication and coordination skills with customers, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple test sequences, track deficiencies, and maintain accurate commissioning documentation.
• Demonstrated leadership in the field with a safety-first mindset; able to stop work and correct unsafe conditions during commissioning.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience operating folk lifts, overhead cranes, and rigging equipment.
• Welding and fabrication skills for custom equipment modifications.
• Familiarity with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and automated systems.

Required Physical Demands:

• 20% travel will be required with this position.
• Requires prolonged sitting, some bending and stooping, occasional lifting of 50 pounds.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to operate a computer keyboard and calculator.
• Requires normal range of hearing and vision.

Our Culture:

Fueling customers' journeys since 1964, innovation leads the way for this family-owned and operated business headquartered in Oklahoma City. With nearly 40,000 team members, travel stops are the core business along with products and services that provide value for professional drivers, fleets, traveling public, RVers, alternative energy and wholesale fuel customers. Giving back to communities and an inclusive workplace are hallmarks of the award-winning culture.

Love's is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Veterans encouraged to apply.