Senior Mechanical Technician

Ian Martin Group; Hopkinsville (KY); On-site; USD 71,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

Ian Martin Group is assisting a client in Hopkinsville, KY with a Senior Mechanical Technician role at a battery anode materials pilot plant. You will set up, align, and commission new process equipment, supporting startup and troubleshooting as the team scales toward a larger facility.

Responsibilities include installation, rigging, flange work, and equipment documentation while maintaining safety and quality standards. Strong blueprints and measurement skills are required for success.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; trade school or apprenticeship preferred.
• Hands-on millwright or mechanical maintenance experience in industrial/manufacturing settings.
• Ability to perform laser alignment for motors and driven machinery.
• Proven ability to safely perform hand rigging and hoisting.
• Experience with safe flange joint makeup.
• Ability to read blueprints, diagrams and repair manuals; use precision instruments.

Responsibilities

• Set, install, and align new process equipment on site, including laser alignment of motors to pumps and driven machinery.
• Perform hand rigging and hoisting to move and position equipment during installation and maintenance.
• Make up and break flange joints safely and to specification.
• Inspect, maintain, repair, and adjust pumps, seals, bearings, valves, and related equipment.
• Troubleshoot mechanical problems during commissioning and startup; recommend fixes.
• Assist with equipment procedures and checklists; translate vendor manuals into usable steps.

Skills

Millwright experience

Mechanical maintenance

Laser alignment

Hoisting

Blueprint reading

Precision measuring

MS Word & Excel

Safety compliance

Education

High school diploma

Trade school or apprenticeship

Tools

Calipers

Micrometers

Levels

Global Reliability Tool (GRT)

Job description

Senior Mechanical Technician

• Pay Rate: $51.18 - $58.86/hour (on W2)
• Contract Length: 12 months
• Location: Onsite | Hopkinsville, KY 42240

Raise is currently hiring a contract team member on behalf of our client. They’re expanding their team to meet growing needs, making this a unique opportunity to work with an industry leader.

Job Overview

We are seeking a Senior Mechanical Technician to join the startup team for a new battery anode material pilot plant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Following its acquisition of Superior Graphite, they are expanding the Hopkinsville site to produce graphite anode material for lithium-ion batteries, with pilot equipment arriving in late 2026 and startup targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The Senior Mechanical Technician will set, align, and maintain new process equipment as it lands, support commissioning and troubleshooting, and help build the procedures the long-term team will rely on. Lessons from the pilot will carry into a larger commercial facility planned at the same site, so this role has a direct hand in shaping how a new business runs.

Responsibilities

• Set, install, and align new process equipment as it arrives on site, including laser alignment of motors to pumps, blowers, and other driven machinery.
• Perform hand rigging and hoisting to safely move and position equipment during installation and maintenance.
• Make up and break flanged joints safely and to specification.
• Inspect, maintain, repair, and adjust process equipment such as pumps, mechanical seals, compressors, mixers, grinders, ovens, conveyors, valves, and hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical problems during commissioning and startup, and recommend fixes to plant leadership.
• Help write equipment procedures and checklists by translating vendor manuals and documentation into clear, usable steps.
• Train alongside equipment vendors during installation, then share that knowledge with operators and new permanent hires.
• Review job packs, identify safety hazards, and ensure they are removed or mitigated before work begins.
• Champion safe work by actively using all on-the-job safety tools and following site safety, environmental, and quality procedures.
• Request work permits and notify the supervisor if a permit cannot be issued within 30 minutes of the requested time.
• Verify dimensions and alignment of components using blueprints, repair manuals, calipers, micrometers, levels, and precision alignment tools.
• Record technical history in maintenance systems such as the Global Reliability Tool (GRT) and equipment data sheets.
• Provide feedback to the execution supervisor on job pack improvements.
• Estimate workload and completion dates, and support engineers with equipment planning, testing, and cost estimates.
• Operate forklifts and other industrial mobile equipment as needed.
• Assist operators with hands-on material handling during breakdowns, and keep work areas clean and organized.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma plus completion of a trade school or apprenticeship program, or equivalent professional experience.
• Hands-on millwright or mechanical maintenance experience in an industrial or manufacturing setting (union or non-union).
• Ability to perform laser alignment for motors and driven machinery.
• Proven ability to safely perform hand rigging and hoisting.
• Experience with safe flange joint makeup.
• Working knowledge of pumps, seals, bearings, utility system components, piping and valves, and material processing equipment.
• Ability to read blueprints, diagrams, and repair manuals and to use precision measuring instruments.
• Competent Microsoft Word and Excel skills, and comfort documenting work on a computer.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly describe field conditions and recommend remediation steps.
• Team player who works well with people outside their direct reporting line and willingly helps others.
• Ability to adapt to tight deadlines, heavy workloads, and frequent changes in priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience writing maintenance or operating procedures, checklists, or training materials.
• Experience with pilot plant startup, commissioning, or new equipment installation.
• Familiarity with a quality management system (QMS).

We strive to build teams that reflect the diversity of the communities we work in. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including people from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, veterans, and people with visible/nonvisible disabilities.

We have a dedicated webpage for accommodations where you can learn more about what we offer, and request accommodation: https://raise.jobs/accommodations/