Technical Service Specialist

OTC Industrial Technologies; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

OTC Industrial Technologies in Grand Rapids seeks a Technical Service Specialist to provide hands-on diagnostic, preventive maintenance, testing, balancing, commissioning support, and technical service for industrial finishing systems at customer facilities.

You will work independently and with IFM operations, engineering, and customer maintenance teams to identify deficiencies, document measurable findings, recommend corrective actions, and deliver safe, responsive service while traveling to

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical diploma or associate degree preferred.
• Three+ years of hands‑on experience with industrial finishing systems, paint booths, ovens, or related process equipment.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills and ability to read technical drawings and manuals.
• Ability to use calibrated measurement tools and prepare clear technical reports.
• Excellent customer communication, problem‑solving, and safety awareness.

Responsibilities

• Inspect and optimize industrial finishing equipment and related systems at customer facilities.
• Establish and document booth baselines; compare against design criteria and historical data.
• Measure airflow and assess pressure, temperature, and humidity conditions.
• Record VFDs, fan speeds, damper positions, and other operating data.
• Diagnose issues and coordinate repairs or escalation as needed.
• Prepare field reports with findings and recommendations for customers.

Skills

Mechanical troubleshooting

Electrical troubleshooting

Airflow measurement

Reading technical drawings

Technical report writing

Customer communication

Safety compliance

Valid driver's license

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Technical diploma or associate degree

Tools

Pitot tubes

Manometers

Anemometers

Pressure gauges

Temperature/humidity instruments

Job description

OTC Industrial Technologies | Finishing, Dispensing & Filtration (FDF) – Industrial Finishing Maintenance (IFM)

Location: As assigned | Travel: Customer-site and regional travel as required

Position Summary

The Technical Service Specialist provides hands-on diagnostic, preventive maintenance, testing, balancing, commissioning support, and technical service for industrial finishing systems at customer facilities. The role supports reliable performance of paint booths, prime and hardcoat applications, curing ovens, ventilation and filtration equipment, and related process systems. Working independently and with IFM operations, engineering, and customer maintenance teams, the Specialist identifies equipment and process deficiencies, documents measurable findings, recommends corrective actions, and delivers safe, responsive service. This is an individual-contributor technical role without direct employee supervisory or departmental P&L responsibility.

Essential Responsibilities

• Inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, test, and optimize industrial paint booths, prime and hardcoat booths, curing ovens, air-handling equipment, exhaust systems, filtration units, fans, dampers, and related finishing infrastructure.
• Establish and document paint booth operating baselines based on customer priorities and observed performance concerns; compare results with approved design criteria and historical operating data.
• Measure downdraft airflow using appropriate velocity matrices; evaluate crossdraft conditions, booth pressurization relative to adjacent flash zones, and overall airflow distribution.
• Assess dry scrubber performance, differential pressure, impaction and air/solid separation; inspect supply plenum filters, perforated plates, exhaust split flows, and filter bank pressure drops.
• Record variable-frequency-drive (VFD) operating conditions, fan speeds, damper positions, booth temperatures, relative humidity, static pressures, and air volume measurements using calibrated instruments.
• Perform oven airflow and thermal balance assessments, including supply-air temperature and flow, air changes by zone, longitudinal air speed, entrance/exit conditions, fan operation, air seals, and damper settings.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, ventilation, filtration, and control-related issues; perform authorized adjustments and repairs or coordinate escalation to qualified specialists.
• Support startup, commissioning, system validation, preventive maintenance, and continuous improvement projects; verify performance following approved corrective actions.
• Review drawings, airflow diagrams, technical data, operating manuals, and startup records to understand design intent and troubleshoot discrepancies.
• Use calibrated diagnostic equipment, including pitot tubes, manometers, anemometers, pressure gauges, temperature/humidity instruments, and other approved test devices.
• Produce accurate field reports with test methods, readings, conditions, findings, recommendations, and customer follow-up actions; complete service documentation within established timelines.
• Communicate technical findings clearly to customers and IFM stakeholders; coordinate with engineering, operations, vendors, and customer maintenance or production personnel.
• Follow applicable OSHA requirements, lockout/tagout procedures, confined-space and fall-protection rules where applicable, customer safety protocols, and company procedures; perform specialized work only when trained and authorized.
• Travel to customer facilities as required and perform other related technical service duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; technical diploma, associate degree, or equivalent relevant training preferred.
• Three or more years of hands‑on experience with industrial finishing systems, paint booths, ovens, industrial ventilation, air handling, or comparable process equipment.
• Demonstrated skill in mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, airflow measurement, pressure testing, and interpreting equipment operating data.
• Ability to read technical drawings, schematics, airflow diagrams, equipment manuals, and test specifications.
• Ability to use and care for calibrated measurement tools and prepare clear technical reports.
• Strong customer communication, independent problem‑solving, organizational, and safety skills.
• Valid driver's license and ability to meet applicable company driving requirements; willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with automotive or industrial prime, topcoat, and hardcoat systems, dry scrubbers, filtration, VFDs, HVAC/air‑makeup systems, and oven balancing.
• Experience supporting equipment commissioning, process optimization, industrial maintenance contracts, or OEM technical service.
• Familiarity with PLC/process controls and relevant finishing‑system safety and environmental requirements.

Performance Expectations

Technical accuracy and quality of testing; equipment reliability and reduced downtime; timely completion of preventive maintenance and service reports; customer satisfaction; adherence to safety requirements; and effective resolution or escalation of technical issues.

OTC Core Values: Integrity Achievement Expertise Partnership Investment Balance