Mechanical Technician

Mechanical Technician

Location: Peoria, IL (on-site, rotating shift)

Assigned Areas: Arc Shop, Rod Mill, Buildings and Grounds, Auto Shop, and Wire and Drawing Mill

Reports to: Maintenance Supervisor / Maintenance Manager

Employment type: Full-time

Hourly Wage: $28.00 - $36.00

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Medical, dental, vision, additional voluntary benefits (accident insurance, critical illness, and employee, spouse, and child whole life). Flexible spending account (healthcare and dependent daycare), long term disability, and participation in employee assistance program (EAP).


Paid Time Off - vacation, sick leave, personal, holidays

Retirement Plans- 401(k) with company match.

Organizational Overview

Liberty Steel USA is a leading American steel manufacturer grounded in sustainability, innovation, and community. We forge steel that supports critical infrastructure and industrial growth while honoring a long-standing tradition of craftsmanship and an unwavering commitment to safety.

We strive to be the employer and supplier of choice in American steelmaking, driven by empowered people, advanced technology, and continuous improvement. Steelmaking has always evolved, and we view change as an opportunity to strengthen our operations, invest in our workforce, and improve how we work.

Safety is not a policy-it is a promise. In every decision, we prioritize the well-being of our people. We believe our strength lies in one another and in the communities we serve. Through responsible stewardship, we are committed to sustainable practices that protect our environment, support our workforce, and ensure long-term vitality for future generations.

Position Overview

Perform hands-on inspection, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, repair, and rebuilding of production machinery, facility systems, and mobile equipment across assigned areas. Restore equipment safely, reduce repeat failures and unplanned downtime, and support scheduled maintenance and plant outages. Work assignments are based on operating needs and the technician's training and qualifications.

Core Responsibilities:

Maintenance Responsibilities by Area

Arc Shop

• Maintain and repair furnace mechanical mechanisms, hydraulic cylinders and power units, cooling water pumps and piping, valves, conveyors, scrap and material handling equipment, and overhead crane mechanical components. *
• Support furnace and crane outage work. Perform crane repairs and inspections only within assigned qualifications and approved procedures; coordinate structural repairs and specialized inspections with Engineering and qualified providers.

Rod Mill

• Maintain and repair reheat furnace mechanical systems and skid piping, rolling stands, rod blocks, gearboxes, bearings, couplings, spindles, shears, pinch rolls, laying heads, conveyors, cooling equipment, and coil handling systems.
• Support scheduled furnace outages, equipment rebuilds, alignment, and mechanical setup checks.

Wire and Drawing Mill

• Maintain and repair wire drawing machines, capstans, die box assemblies, payoffs, take-ups, spoolers, straighteners, cutters, coilers, conveyors, and associated mechanical drives.
• Service lubrication, cooling, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems. Identify wear, misalignment, leaks, and mechanical conditions affecting wire quality or machine reliability.

Buildings and Grounds

• Maintain facility doors, gates, dock equipment, building hardware, plumbing, drainage, water and compressed air piping, and general facility equipment. Perform minor fabrication and repairs to guards, platforms, handrails, and supports within approved scope.
• Assist with grounds equipment, seasonal upkeep, and snow removal as assigned. Report structural, utility, or building conditions requiring specialized repair.

Auto Shop

• Inspect, service, troubleshoot, and repair assigned fleet vehicles and mobile equipment, such as forklifts, plant trucks, loaders, and grounds equipment.
• Perform fluid and filter service, lubrication, and repairs to cooling, hydraulic, steering, brake, and drivetrain systems within qualifications.
• Document defects and coordinate specialized repairs and required inspections with authorized personnel.

General Duties and Responsibilities

• Inspect equipment, diagnose mechanical problems, and disassemble, repair, rebuild, and install bearings, shafts, seals, gears, pumps, cylinders, valves, couplings, belts, chains, and other components.
• Complete preventive maintenance, lubrication, alignment, adjustment, and condition checks according to work orders, equipment manuals, and approved maintenance instructions.
• Use hand and power tools, precision measuring instruments, and alignment equipment. Assist with vibration readings, oil sampling, thermal inspections, and other condition monitoring when trained.
• Read mechanical drawings, hydraulic and pneumatic schematics, piping diagrams, and manufacturer instructions. Perform machining, fitting, cutting, and welding only when trained and authorized.
• Use approved lifting equipment and rigging practices to remove and install components. Verify equipment isolation and control stored hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, thermal, and gravity energy before work.
• Coordinate with Operations, planners, electricians, engineers, contractors, and other trades to prepare work, identify parts, and complete repairs and outages. Refer electrical and PLC work to qualified electrical personnel unless separately trained and authorized.
• Record findings, labor, parts, measurements, repairs, and follow-up needs in work orders or the maintenance management system. Report critical defects promptly and support failure investigations and corrective actions.
• Inspect completed work, reinstall guards, maintain housekeeping, and participate in controlled testing and return to service with Operations. Follow site permit, hazardous energy control, confined space, hot work, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Assist with spare parts identification, equipment improvements, and training of less experienced personnel. Perform other related maintenance duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Candidates interested in this role should have the following qualifications:

Preferred:

• Experience supporting steelmaking equipment, industrial automation, motor drives, and electrical reliability improvements
• Experience in a unionized environment
• Experience using a computerized maintenance management system

Required:

• High school diploma or GED required; relevant technical school training, apprenticeship, or journeyman qualification
• Five or more years of industrial mechanical maintenance or machine repair experience preferred, ideally in steelmaking, rolling, wire drawing, facilities, or fleet maintenance
• Experience in one or more assigned areas is valuable; additional area-specific training may be provided.
• Practical knowledge of mechanical power transmission, hydraulics, pneumatics, lubrication, alignment, and equipment troubleshooting.
• Ability to interpret technical documents, use precision tools, maintain clear work records, and communicate with Operations and Maintenance.
• Welding, machining, millwright, or mobile equipment repair qualifications are preferred where relevant to assignment.

Success In This Role

Success in this role requires strong mechanical troubleshooting skills, a proactive approach to preventive maintenance, and the ability to safely repair and restore equipment across multiple plant areas. The technician must identify the root causes of equipment failures, reduce unplanned downtime, and complete quality repairs that improve long-term reliability. Effective communication and coordination with Operations, Maintenance, and other trades are essential, along with accurate work order documentation, attention to detail, and adherence to safety procedures. Flexibility to support different equipment needs, scheduled outages, and urgent repairs within assigned qualifications is critical to keeping equipment reliable and production running efficiently.