Plant Maintenance Tech Principal

Vulcan Materials Company; Avondale (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Vulcan Materials Company seeks a Senior Plant Technician to troubleshoot, disassemble, and rebuild plant equipment on-site, applying welding, cutting, and fabrication skills to maintain reliability. The role requires strong mechanical aptitude and experience with heavy quarry equipment, plus adherence to MSHA/OSHA safety protocols and efficient record-keeping of maintenance logs.

Candidates should have a technical degree/apprenticeship and 5+ years in operations, ideally in aggregate

Qualifications

• Two-year technical degree or accredited apprenticeship preferred.
• High School diploma or GED required.
• Minimum of 5+ years in operations, preferably within aggregate industry.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on welding/cutting experience.

Responsibilities

• Inspect equipment before and after shifts; perform preventive maintenance.
• Troubleshoot and replace basic mechanical components (belts, idlers, pulleys, pumps).
• Perform structural repairs and heavy wear-part replacement with welding and grinding.
• Rebuild and fabricate parts as needed.
• Order parts from approved vendors and manage pickups.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Welding

Power tools

Maintenance planning

Education

Two-year technical degree or apprenticeship

High School diploma or GED

Tools

Welding equipment

Cutting torches

Grinding tools

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Senior Plant Technician is a highly skilled individual contributor responsible for troubleshooting, tearing down, and rebuilding all equipment on-site. With a strong mechanical aptitude, this role involves using advanced tools, welding, and cutting to maintain and repair plant machinery. The technician plays a critical role in ensuring site reliability and operational efficiency.

Essential Functions

• Conduct pre‑shift and post‑shift equipment inspections, lubricate moving parts, and complete scheduled preventative maintenance tasks to prevent component failures.
• Troubleshoot and replace basic mechanical components, including conveyor belts, idlers, pulleys, and water pumps.
• Perform structural repairs, hard facing, and replace heavy wear‑parts (such as crusher liners and shaker screens) using welding, cutting, and grinding equipment.
• Rebuild and fabricate parts.
• Order parts from approved vendors and drive the Company pick‑up/repair truck to pick up parts.
• Strictly adhere to MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) and OSHA regulations, execute Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols, and maintain a hazard‑free work area.
• Observe aggregate crushing, washing, and screening areas during operation to identify anomalies by sight or sound and perform minor adjustments.
• Record and maintain service logs, lubrication reports, and maintenance records for plant equipment.
• Assist in the maintenance and repair of mobile equipment.
• Perform other duties as directed by supervisor.

Critical Competencies

• Communication – Ability to clearly and effectively convey information, ideas, and messages to others in both written and verbal formats; can express one’s thoughts clearly but also demonstrate active listening, understand the needs of the audience, and adapt the message for comprehension.
• Safety Awareness – Ability to recognize, understand, and adhere to safety protocols and procedures in the workplace; proactive in identifying potential hazards, taking steps to mitigate risks, and ensuring that both personal and collective safety are maintained in all tasks and environments.
• Work Ethic – Demonstrates commitment and dedication toward completing tasks with high standards of quality, responsibility, and diligence; demonstrates reliability, professionalism, and a strong sense of personal responsibility in fulfilling job duties.
• Attention to Detail – Ability to thoroughly and accurately complete tasks, ensuring that no aspects or elements are overlooked; meticulous and precise when handling information, performing tasks, or delivering work, and is critical in ensuring the quality, accuracy, and integrity of the results.
• Collaboration – Ability to work effectively with others to achieve common goals by fostering teamwork, open communication, and mutual respect; involves actively listening, sharing ideas, problem‑solving collectively, and leveraging diverse skills and perspectives. Strong collaboration requires adaptability, conflict resolution, and a willingness to support team members, ensuring productivity and a positive work environment.
• Technical Expertise – Solid mechanical understanding of mobile equipment, including basic maintenance checks and troubleshooting minor issues. Ability to identify signs of equipment malfunction, understand and report them to the maintenance team.

Education

• Two‑year technical degree or accredited apprenticeship program or the equivalent in a technical field is preferred.
• High School diploma or GED equivalent required.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 plus years of experience in operations, preferably within the aggregate industry.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Strong mechanical aptitude with hands‑on experience in welding (stick, flux‑core), cutting torches, and using power/hand tools.
• Familiarity with heavy equipment commonly found in quarries, like jaw/cone crushers, vibrating screen decks, material screws, and heavy‑duty pumps.
• Understanding of plant operations, processes, and performance goals.
• Knowledge of inspection procedures for critical areas of the site.
• Knowledge of routine maintenance tasks and troubleshooting techniques.
• Understanding of larger maintenance tasks and repair processes.

Other Requirements

• Strong mechanical aptitude with hands‑on experience in welding (stick, flux‑core), cutting torches, and using power/hand tools.
• Knowledge of a wide variety of hand and power tools, cutting torches and welding equipment.
• MSHA Certified (or willingness to complete required MSHA training).
• An active valid driver’s license.

JD Disclaimer

Vulcan Materials Company is an equal opportunity employer.