Maintenance Technician Lead

Maintenance Technician Lead

At Darnel Group, we focus on what truly matters—environmental, economic, and social sustainability. The Maintenance Technician Lead provides hands-on technical support and day-to-day guidance to maintenance technicians to help keep manufacturing equipment, utilities, and facility systems operating safely and efficiently. This role supports preventive and corrective maintenance, assists with troubleshooting and repairs, helps coordinate work priorities, and serves as a key resource for safe work practices, equipment reliability, and shift communication.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide hands-on maintenance support and day-to-day guidance to maintenance technicians to help ensure production equipment, utilities, and facility systems remain operational.
• Assist with planning, scheduling, and completing preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, repairs, equipment inspections, and work orders.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and controls-related equipment issues and provide hands-on technical support when needed.
• Coordinate with production, quality, engineering, EHS, and leadership teams to prioritize repairs, communicate equipment status, and reduce production interruptions.
• Ensure all maintenance work is performed safely and in compliance with company policies, lockout/tagout requirements, PPE standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Coach and support maintenance team members by sharing technical knowledge, safe work practices, troubleshooting methods, equipment procedures, and maintenance standards.
• Review completed work orders, maintenance logs, downtime information, and parts usage to identify trends, recurring issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support continuous improvement efforts related to equipment reliability, maintenance processes, spare parts management, and overall operational efficiency.
• Maintain appropriate communication during shift changes, breakdowns, project work, and urgent maintenance situations.
• Support company initiatives, strategic goals, and team collaboration efforts.
• Perform other duties as required.

Requirements

Required Skills/Experience:

• 5+ years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment, including hands-on troubleshooting and repair experience.
• Previous lead, senior technician, or team coordination experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and industrial equipment systems.
• Ability to read and interpret equipment manuals, schematics, blueprints, work instructions, and technical documentation.
• Experience using maintenance systems, work order systems, or CMMS tools to document work and track maintenance activity.
• Ability to work outside standard work hours as needed to support breakdowns, equipment issues, shutdowns, projects, or urgent business needs.
• Strong problem-solving, organization, communication, and follow-up skills.
• Proficient Microsoft Office skills.
• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification or associate degree in Industrial Maintenance, Electrical Technology, Mechanical Technology, or a related field preferred.
• Ability to make sound decisions regarding equipment repairs, troubleshooting priorities, safety concerns, and production support needs.
• Ability to use hand tools, power tools, diagnostic equipment, and measurement instruments safely and effectively.
• Ability to read, write, and communicate effectively in English

Preferred Skills/Experience:

• Experience with PLC troubleshooting, automated equipment, extrusion or thermoforming equipment, and/or food packaging manufacturing equipment.
• Bilingual English and Spanish skills.
• Typical/Expected Overnight Travel: Limited travel expected.