Senior Equipment Maintenance Technician - C Shift

Illuminate USA; Pataskala (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Illuminate USA in Pataskala, OH is hiring an Equipment Maintenance Technician Senior to ensure safe, efficient operation of production and facility equipment. You will troubleshoot, perform preventive/predictive maintenance, and mentor junior technicians while driving reliability improvements.

Join a fast-growing, collaborative environment supporting a 1.1 million-square-foot factory with a goal of minimizing downtime and maximizing equipment uptime.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; associate degree is preferred.
• 4+ years of maintenance experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
• Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills.
• Familiarity with PLCs, automation systems and industrial controls preferred.
• Proficiency reading schematics, blueprints and manuals.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance to maximize uptime.
• Assist installation and upgrades of equipment.
• Lead root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Document maintenance activities in CMMS/EAM systems.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical troubleshooting

Leadership

Root cause analysis

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree preferred

Tools

PLCs

Automation systems

Industrial controls

Job description

Job Description

Located in the heart of Central Ohio, Illuminate USA is transforming solar panel manufacturing from our cutting-edge facility in Pataskala. As a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, we’ve rapidly grown to over 1,500 associates and are now fully operational in our 1.1 million-square-foot factory. Our vision is to establish one of the largest solar panel manufacturing operations in the Western Hemisphere. This is an exciting time to join Illuminate USA as we continue to grow and innovate. We’re not just building solar panels—we’re building a team of dedicated, passionate associates eager to make a real impact. If you’re looking to be part of a collaborative, people-focused, and forward-thinking workplace, we want to hear from you! We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and continuous opportunities for career growth. Come join us on this journey to create a brighter, more sustainable future in the Columbus area.

Position Overview

The Equipment Maintenance Technician Senior is responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of production and facility equipment. This role combines advanced troubleshooting, preventive/predictive maintenance, and mentoring of junior technicians. The Senior Technician serves as a subject matter expert on critical equipment, supports root cause analysis of chronic issues, and drives continuous improvement initiatives to minimize downtime and maximize equipment reliability.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform advanced troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems on production and facility equipment.
• Execute preventive and predictive maintenance tasks to ensure equipment uptime and reliability.
• Support installation, commissioning, and upgrades of new or modified equipment.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex equipment failures.
• Lead and participate in root cause analysis (RCA) and corrective action implementation.
• Maintain accurate documentation of maintenance activities in the EAM/CMMS system.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment performance, reduce downtime, and extend asset life.
• Partner with engineering and operations teams to implement reliability-centered maintenance strategies.
• Recommend spare parts stocking levels and support vendor management.
• Mentor and train junior technicians on troubleshooting techniques, safety standards, and best practices.
• Act as a role model for adherence to company policies, safety procedures, and quality standards.
• Support cross-functional collaboration with production, engineering, and EHS teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical certification or associate degree preferred.
• 4+ years of maintenance experience in a high-volume manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong background in electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.
• Familiarity with PLCs, automation systems, and industrial controls preferred.
• Proficiency in reading schematics, blueprints, and technical manuals.
• Demonstrated knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis skills.
• Effective communication, teamwork, and leadership abilities.
• Ability to work rotating shifts, weekends, and respond to emergency calls as needed.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, and work on equipment for extended periods.
• Lift up to 50 lbs safely.
• Work in environments with noise, dust, heat, or vibration.

Performance Metrics

• Accountable For Equipment availability and downtime reduction.
• First-pass repair success rate.
• Compliance with PM schedules and documentation accuracy.
• Contributions to safety, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity

At Illuminate USA, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace. We proudly embrace equal opportunity for all, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Your unique background and experiences are valued here, as we believe they strengthen our team and drive our mission forward. Illuminate is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Additional Information

Illuminate USA, a new standalone joint venture established by two global leaders in renewable energy, is building one of the largest solar panel manufacturing factories in the Western Hemisphere. This 1.1 million-square-foot factory is currently in advanced stages of preparation in the Columbus, Ohio area. Illuminate USA is seeking highly motivated team members to help the company grow from startup to a full scale, industry leading manufacturer with $1B - $2B expected annual revenue and over 1,200 employees in less than two years. This will be a fast-paced and exciting time in our history as we are building something great from the ground up here in central Ohio. We offer competitive pay, benefits, and ongoing career development opportunities. Come join our collaborative, people-focused, and innovative workplace as we embark upon this unique and exciting journey!