Blow Mold Maintenance Technician

Job Title: Blow Mold Technician III Salary Status: DOE FLSA: Non-Exempt Employment Type: Full-Time Location: Reports to: Technician Supervisor   Job Overview: The Blow Mold Technician III is responsible for the setup, operation, troubleshooting, repair, and optimization of blow molding equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality production. This senior-level technician possesses advanced knowledge of blow molding processes, machine controls, PLC troubleshooting, and process optimization. The Technician III serves as a technical resource for operators and junior technicians while supporting continuous improvement initiatives to maximize equipment performance and minimize downtime.   Essential Responsibilities: * Set up, start up, and optimize blow molding machines for production. * Perform mold changes, tooling changes, and machine changeovers safely and efficiently while minimizing production downtime. * Install, align, secure, and verify molds, tooling, and auxiliary equipment to ensure proper operation and product quality. * Verify proper mold setup, cooling connections, and machine functionality prior to production startup. * Develop, monitor, and optimize processing parameters to improve cycle times, reduce scrap, and maintain product quality. * Troubleshoot mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and processing issues. * Diagnose and troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment using ladder logic, HMI interfaces, alarms, and machine diagnostics. * Assist with PLC programming modifications under engineering or manufacturer guidance. * Read and interpret electrical schematics, hydraulic diagrams, and machine blueprints. * Perform preventative and predictive maintenance on blow molding equipment and auxiliary systems. * Repair and replace motors, sensors, valves, heaters, thermocouples, drives, relays, and electrical components. * Calibrate machine settings and ensure proper process documentation is maintained. * Monitor product quality and make process adjustments to ensure compliance with specifications. * Troubleshoot resin flow, parison programming, temperature profiles, cooling systems, and extrusion performance. * Support root cause analysis for downtime, quality defects, and equipment failures. * Train and mentor operators and lower-level technicians on equipment operation, mold change procedures, troubleshooting, safety, and best practices. * Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, and Production to improve equipment reliability and manufacturing efficiency. * Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, mold change documentation, and process sheets. * Participate in continuous improvement, Lean Manufacturing, 5S, TPM, and Kaizen initiatives. * Ensure compliance with all company safety policies, GMP requirements, and OSHA regulations. * Perform other duties as assigned.   Minimum Requirements: * High school diploma or GED required. * Technical degree or vocational training in Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology, or related field preferred. * Minimum of 5 years of blow molding processing and maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment. * Extensive experience with extrusion blow molding equipment. * Advanced knowledge of machine setup, processing, troubleshooting, and optimization. * Experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled machinery. * Ability to interpret PLC fault codes and diagnose machine control issues. * Strong understanding of electrical systems (24VDC, 120VAC, 480VAC). * Experience working with hydraulic and pneumatic systems. * Ability to read electrical schematics and technical drawings. * Experience with preventive maintenance systems and CMMS software preferred. * Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office.   Physical Requirements: Requirements include, but are not limited to: * Frequently stand and walk for extended periods (up to 12-hour shifts). * Lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds regularly and up to 75 pounds with assistance. * Frequently bend, squat, kneel, climb ladders, and reach overhead. * Work around moving mechanical equipment, heat, compressed air, and industrial chemicals. * Ability to wear required PPE, including hearing protection, safety glasses, steel-toe footwear, and gloves. WORK ENVIRONMENT * Manufacturing facility with exposure to heat, noise, dust, and moving machinery. * May require overtime, weekends, holidays, and on-call support as business needs dictate. * Fast-paced production environment requiring quick response to equipment issues.     Education/Experience: * High School diploma or equivalent required. * 5+ year of experience in similar role. * Basic knowledge of electrical and mechanical repair is a plus. * Experience in a manufacturing environment preferred.   Competitive Benefits: * Medical (HMO), dental and vision insurance premium. * 401k plan. * Company offers vacation and sick pay * Holiday Pay: Eight (8) paid holidays per year * Basic Life Insurance Paid (25K policy)   We are an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Employer and do not discriminate against applicants due to veteran status, disability, race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.