Job description
Summary of Position
The Facilities Technician Lead Hand is responsible for operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing facility equipment and systems to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient manufacturing operations. This position serves as a senior technical resource within the Facilities team, providing hands-on leadership, technical guidance, and support to Facilities Technicians while assisting in the coordination of daily operations and maintenance activities.
The Facilities Technician Lead Hand must possess a strong understanding of facility systems, equipment operations, and critical operating parameters. Key responsibilities include performing preventive and predictive maintenance, conducting electrical and mechanical troubleshooting and repairs, monitoring equipment performance, and ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements. Additionally, this role supports the Facilities Supervisor by reviewing operational data, prioritizing work orders, verifying completed maintenance activities, and identifying continuous improvement opportunities to minimize downtime, optimize system performance, and maximize equipment reliability.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain facility equipment and systems to maximize operating performance, reliability, and efficiency while minimizing unplanned downtime.
- Perform troubleshooting, maintenance, and repairs on mechanical, electrical, and facility process systems to restore equipment to proper and safe operating conditions.
- Serve as a senior technical resource and provide guidance, training, and hands-on support to Facilities Technicians.
- Assist the Facilities Supervisor with coordinating daily maintenance activities, assigning work priorities, and ensuring timely completion of work orders.
- Review and audit preventive and predictive maintenance activities completed by other technicians to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with established procedures.
- Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on facility equipment in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and established maintenance schedules.
- Troubleshoot facility process operations and make necessary adjustments to maintain optimal performance.
- Maintain and troubleshoot facility systems, including wastewater treatment (WWT), mechanical chillers, cooling towers, emission scrubbers, boilers, industrial air compressors, HVAC systems, pumps, valves, and water treatment equipment.
- Take equipment and process data readings and maintain accurate operational logs and documentation in accordance with local, state, and federal requirements.
- Utilize handheld instruments such as voltage meters, LEL meters, gas detection meters, pH meters, and other diagnostic tools to monitor and troubleshoot facility systems.
- Support electrical and mechanical repairs, installations, modifications, and improvement projects as directed by the Facilities Supervisor or Facilities Manager.
- Identify equipment deficiencies, recurring failures, and opportunities for process improvements; recommend corrective and preventive actions.
- Assist with maintaining spare parts inventory levels and identifying critical replacement parts needed to support facility operations.
- Ensure facility equipment breakdowns or unsafe operating conditions do not unnecessarily jeopardize production schedules.
- Follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures when servicing equipment or addressing unsafe operating conditions.
- Ensure compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM), Risk Management Program (RMP), and applicable permit requirements, including maintaining equipment records and documentation associated with regulated processes.
- Maintain organized work areas in accordance with housekeeping and 5S requirements.
- Promote a strong safety culture by demonstrating safe work practices and ensuring adherence to company safety policies, environmental regulations, and applicable OSHA requirements.
- Support emergency response activities and participate as an on-site Emergency Response Team (ERT) member when required.
- Assist with training and onboarding new Facilities Technicians, including equipment operation, troubleshooting procedures, preventive maintenance, and safe work practices.
- Communicate equipment status, maintenance concerns, and operational updates to the Facilities Supervisor and other relevant departments.
- Support small facility improvement projects and coordinate maintenance activities as assigned.
- Perform other duties, projects, and special assignments as directed by the Facilities Supervisor or Facilities Manager.
- Ensure all facility systems operate within established operational parameters and performance standards
Qualifications
Skills
- Strong knowledge of industrial facility equipment, maintenance practices, and process operations.
- Experience troubleshooting and maintaining wastewater treatment systems, mechanical chillers, cooling towers, emission scrubbers, boilers, industrial air compressors, HVAC systems, pumps, valves, and related facility equipment.
- Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting skills, including the ability to use hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic instruments.
- Experience with chemical handling and safe work practices associated with industrial chemical systems.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical diagrams, mechanical drawings, equipment manuals, and technical documentation.
- Knowledge of preventive and predictive maintenance practices and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
- Understanding LOTO, PSM, RMP, environmental compliance, and industrial safety requirements.
- Ability to provide technical guidance, mentor team members, and assist with coordinating daily maintenance activities.
- Strong problem-solving, organizational, and troubleshooting abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work effectively across departments.
- Ability to prioritize multiple maintenance activities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
Traits
- Self-motivated, dependable, and team-oriented.
- Demonstrates leadership through technical expertise, accountability, and a hands-on approach.
- High degree of attention to detail, precision, and follow-through.
- Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
- Ability to work independently while providing guidance and support to other team members.
- Adaptable and capable of responding effectively to changing operational priorities.
- Willing and able to work rotating shifts, weekends, and overtime as required.
Education and/or Experience
- Minimum 3-5 years of experience within a related field
Preferred:
- At least 8 years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment working within a Facilities or Maintenance department.
- Previous experience as a Lead Technician, Senior Facilities Technician, or similar technical leadership role.
- Licensed operator of a wastewater treatment system (South Carolina Physical/Chemical).
- Advanced knowledge of mechanical chillers, cooling towers, emission scrubbers, boilers, industrial air compressors, water treatment systems, and HVAC equipment.
- Associate degree or certificate from a technical trade school in Industrial Maintenance, Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, or a related field.
- Military experience in a mechanical, electrical, or facilities maintenance role.
- Experience with CMMS systems, preventive maintenance planning, and maintenance work order coordination.
- Experience in safe chemical handling and management
Additional Information
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive Market Wages
- Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, and holiday)
- Employee Assistance Program
- Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Reimbursement Program
- Employee Recognition Programs
- Employee PV Panel Purchase Program
Additional Information
Silfab Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Any information provided during the application process will be maintained in accordance with applicable privacy laws and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) requirements.
Pay & benefits
Typical pay for similar roles
EstimateThe middle half of pay advertised on Rejobs for this group over the last 24 months. This employer has not stated a salary.
About this role
About Silfab Solar
Company Overview
Silfab Solar
Fort Mill, SC, United States
2010
Approximately 800 employees and estimated revenue of $217.3 million in 2023 (source: zoominfo.com).
What They Do
Silfab Solar focuses exclusively on photovoltaic module design, development, and manufacturing, producing high-efficiency solar panels tailored for North American conditions. The company utilizes advanced technologies such as TOPCon cells at its South Carolina plant and integrates proprietary SABC methods via recent patent acquisitions to enhance electrical performance (source: cbinsights.com). Its product lineup includes the premium Silfab Elite Series modules, which have received an "Excellent" rating on EnergySage.com and were recognized as a 2024 Kiwa PVEL Top Performer, emphasizing maximum power density, reliability, and compliance with Buy American standards for various applications (source: silfabsolar.com). The company targets installers, distributors, and businesses across North America, delivering modules from automated lines that prioritize domestic content to meet regional demand and policy incentives (source: cbinsights.com). Silfab differentiates itself through its leadership in premium-quality PV modules, operational experience as the largest private U.S. manufacturer, and rapid technology integration, positioning it ahead of competitors reliant on imports (source: silfabsolar.com).
Projects & Track Record
While specific completed project names and capacities are not detailed in available records, Silfab Solar supplies modules for utility-scale and community solar developments. Notably, the company has partnered with Pivot Energy for next-generation U.S.-made panels and has a supply agreement with Nexamp, one of the largest U.S. community solar developers, announced on December 17, 2024 (source: zoominfo.com). Ongoing expansions include scaling the Fort Mill, South Carolina cell manufacturing facility to operational status by late 2024, with a capacity of 1 GW for cells and 1.3 GW for modules, supported by recent financing (source: silfabsolar.com). Key clients encompass Pivot Energy and Nexamp, with partnerships involving technology providers like EnPV for patent acquisitions enabling SABC integration (source: cbinsights.com). Geographically, Silfab maintains a strong North American footprint across Canada and the U.S., with expansions focused on reshoring production to meet domestic demand (source: silfabsolar.com).
Recent Developments
In the last two years, Silfab Solar closed a $100 million financing round on November 21, 2024, which included $50 million in equity led by ARC Financial Corp. and a $50 million senior secured Green Loan to scale its Fort Mill cell plant, bringing total funding to $230 million (source: silfabsolar.com). The company also announced supply agreements with Pivot Energy and Nexamp in 2024 for U.S.-made panels targeting community solar projects (source: zoominfo.com). Additionally, Silfab acquired patents and trademarks from EnPV, including a solar module patent granted on December 12, 2023, to advance SABC technology for the Elite Series (source: cbinsights.com). Milestones include achieving 2024 Kiwa PVEL Top Performer status and ramping up U.S. facilities, with no reported mergers or additional acquisitions beyond intellectual property deals (source: silfabsolar.com).
Working There
Silfab Solar employs around 800 people across various functions, including manufacturing, engineering, and support roles. The leadership team includes President and CEO Paolo Maccario, along with a CFO and COO, indicating a structured approach to production operations, cell and module fabrication, automation, innovation/R&D, finance, sales, and customer support (source: zoominfo.com). Hiring is currently active at U.S. sites, particularly in Fort Mill, South Carolina, and Burlington, Washington, to support capacity growth and create American jobs, as emphasized in recent financing announcements (source: silfabsolar.com). The company culture promotes a safe and equitable workplace, respect for partners and communities, ethical standards, and employee-driven innovation, with all facilities featuring automated lines and a focus on local partnerships (source: silfabsolar.com). While specific benefits are not publicly detailed, the expansion plans highlight job creation and a mission to reduce carbon emissions through manufacturing, suggesting competitive packages aligned with industry norms in renewable energy (source: silfabsolar.com).