Forklift Mechanic

Job Type


Full-time

Description

Position Summary

Whirlwind Steel Buildings is seeking a skilled and motivated Forklift Mechanic to join our Maintenance Team. This position is responsible for maintaining the reliability, safety, and operational readiness of forklifts and other material handling equipment supporting manufacturing operations.

The Forklift Mechanic will perform preventive maintenance, predictive inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, rebuilds, and emergency service on a wide range of equipment, including electric, LP, gasoline, and diesel-powered forklifts, as well as aerial lifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts, personnel carriers, golf carts, and other mobile equipment.

This position plays a critical role in supporting production by minimizing equipment downtime and ensuring all equipment is maintained in a safe and reliable operating condition.

Reports To: Maintenance Supervisor

Essential Responsibilities

Maintenance & Repairs

• Perform preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on forklifts and material handling equipment.

• Troubleshoot and repair electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, steering, braking, charging, and powertrain systems.

• Diagnose and repair mast assemblies, lift chains, forks, carriages, side shifters, rotators, clamps, and other attachments.

• Repair and maintain LP, gasoline, diesel, and electric-powered forklifts.

• Perform battery maintenance, charging system inspections, and battery replacements.

• Perform tire, wheel, brake, steering, and suspension repairs.

• Conduct equipment inspections and identify safety concerns before failures occur.

• Rebuild components including hydraulic cylinders, pumps, motors, brakes, and drive assemblies.

• Perform welding and light fabrication as needed to support repairs.

Reliability & Equipment Availability

• Maintain high equipment availability and support efforts to reduce downtime.

• Participate in root cause analysis activities for recurring failures.

• Identify opportunities for reliability improvements and cost reduction.

• Assist with implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance programs.

• Support equipment improvement projects and modifications.

Documentation & CMMS

• Complete all work orders accurately and in a timely manner.

• Document labor, parts, failure causes, corrective actions, and recommendations within the CMMS.

• Maintain accurate maintenance records and inspection reports.

• Assist with inventory identification and spare parts recommendations.


• Communicate equipment status and repair progress to supervisors and operations personnel.


Safety

• Follow all OSHA, NFPA, environmental, and company safety requirements.

• Perform all work in accordance with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures.

• Conduct safety inspections before returning equipment to service.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area.

• Promote safe work practices and participate in safety initiatives.

Team Support

• Support maintenance activities on other equipment when forklift workload permits.

• Assist with repairs of aerial lifts, boom lifts, scissor lifts, golf carts, and other facility equipment.

• Participate in training programs and continuously develop technical skills.

Perform other duties as assigned


Requirements

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED.

• Minimum of 2 years of experience repairing industrial forklifts or similar mobile equipment.

• Ability to read electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical schematics.

• Ability to troubleshoot complex equipment failures.

• Basic computer skills and ability to use maintenance software systems.

• Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Hyster, Yale, Combilift, Toyota, Kalmar, Cat, Crown, or similar equipment.

• Experience with forklifts ranging from 3,000 lbs. to 60,000 lbs. capacity.

• Experience with industrial battery systems and chargers.

• Experience using diagnostic software and electronic service tools.

• Experience with CMMS systems such as EMaint.

• Welding and fabrication experience.

• Technical school, military maintenance, automotive, diesel, or industrial maintenance background.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

• Strong sense of urgency and accountability.

• Excellent communication and documentation skills.

• Ability to prioritize work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Ability to manage multiple repair activities simultaneously