Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Journey-person Millwright

🎯 Role Definition

As a Journey-person Millwright, you are the mechanical backbone of our operations. You will be responsible for the precision installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of all industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. Your expertise ensures that our production lines run efficiently, safely, and with minimal downtime. This position requires a deep understanding of mechanical systems, a commitment to safety protocols, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative maintenance team. You will be instrumental in executing our preventive maintenance strategy and responding to critical equipment failures, directly impacting our facility's productivity and success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Apprentice Millwright
Industrial Mechanic Helper
Machinist with cross-training

Advancement To:

Lead Millwright / Maintenance Team Lead
Maintenance Supervisor or Manager
Maintenance Planner / Scheduler
Reliability Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Industrial Mechanic
Machinist
Stationary Engineer / Power Engineer
Technical Trainer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Install, align, dismantle, and move stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment, such as pumps, fans, tanks, conveyors, and production machines, according to layout plans and blueprints.
Perform precision alignments on rotating equipment, including motors, gearboxes, and pumps, using laser alignment systems and dial indicators to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
Read and interpret complex technical documents, including blueprints, schematics, and detailed repair manuals, to determine work procedures.
Execute advanced troubleshooting and diagnostic procedures on complex mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems to identify root causes of malfunctions and implement effective repairs.
Conduct comprehensive preventive and predictive maintenance tasks, including vibration analysis, oil analysis, and thermography, to proactively identify and address potential equipment failures.
Repair, overhaul, and replace defective machine parts, such as bearings, seals, couplings, gears, and drive chains, ensuring components meet prescribed specifications.
Operate rigging equipment and lifting devices, including mobile cranes, overhead cranes, chain falls, and forklifts, for the safe handling and positioning of heavy machinery and parts.
Fabricate custom parts and components to repair or improve machinery using a variety of machine shop tools, including lathes, milling machines, grinders, and drill presses.
Perform certified welding (SMAW, GMAW, FCAW) and cutting operations for the fabrication and repair of machine components, structures, and guarding.
Maintain and repair material handling and conveyance systems, including belt conveyors, screw conveyors, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
Diligently document all maintenance activities, parts usage, and repair details within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to maintain accurate equipment history.
Adhere strictly to all plant safety and environmental regulations, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, hot work, and working at heights protocols.
Assemble and install a variety of equipment, including pipe systems, valves, and hydraulic and pneumatic circuits, ensuring leak-free and secure connections.
Rebuild and overhaul critical rotating equipment like centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps, and industrial compressors to OEM specifications.
Collaborate effectively with electricians, pipefitters, and other trades professionals to complete multi-faceted repair, installation, and capital projects.
Commission newly installed equipment by conducting operational tests to ensure it meets or exceeds design specifications and safety standards before handover to production.

Secondary Functions

Mentor and provide technical guidance to Apprentice Millwrights and other junior members of the maintenance team to foster skill development.
Participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations to identify underlying causes of recurring equipment failures and help develop permanent solutions.
Recommend and implement modifications to machinery or processes to improve operational efficiency, equipment reliability, and personnel safety.
Assist the engineering department with the planning and execution of capital improvement projects, providing mechanical expertise and hands-on support.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Precision Mechanical Alignment: Mastery of laser alignment tools and dial indicators for coupling, shaft, and pulley alignment.
Blueprint and Schematic Interpretation: Ability to read and understand complex engineering drawings, P&IDs, and hydraulic/pneumatic diagrams.
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Systems: Advanced troubleshooting and repair skills for hydraulic and pneumatic circuits, components, and controls.
Welding and Fabrication: Proficiency in Stick (SMAW), MIG (GMAW), and/or TIG (GTAW) welding for repair and fabrication purposes.
Rigging and Hoisting: Certified or highly experienced in safe rigging practices and the operation of cranes, forklifts, and other heavy lifting equipment.
Predictive Maintenance Technologies: Experience with PDM tools such as vibration analysis, ultrasonic inspection, and infrared thermography.
Machine Shop Operations: Competence in operating lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, and drill presses to fabricate or modify parts.
CMMS Proficiency: Experience using a Computerized Maintenance Management System (e.g., SAP PM, Maximo, EAM) for work order management and documentation.
Pump and Gearbox Overhaul: Demonstrated ability to completely disassemble, inspect, and rebuild various types of industrial pumps and gearboxes.
Troubleshooting & Diagnostics: Systematic and logical approach to diagnosing complex mechanical failures under pressure.

Soft Skills

Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to efficiently resolve equipment issues.
Safety-First Mindset: An unwavering commitment to workplace safety for oneself and colleagues.
Teamwork and Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with a diverse team of tradespeople, engineers, and operators.
Communication: Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills to convey technical information.
Adaptability: Flexibility to work in a fast-paced environment with shifting priorities and handle emergency breakdown situations.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous and precise in carrying out all tasks, from alignment to documentation.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED.
Journey-person Millwright Provincial/State Certification or Red Seal Endorsement (or equivalent recognized trade qualification).
Completion of a recognized Millwright Apprenticeship Program.

Preferred Education:

Technical or Associate's Degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Industrial Mechanics
Mechanical Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 4+ years of post-apprenticeship experience working as a qualified Millwright in a heavy industrial, manufacturing, or processing environment.

Preferred: Experience within a specific sector such as food and beverage, pulp and paper, mining, power generation, or automotive manufacturing is considered a strong asset. Experience in a unionized environment may be beneficial.