Lead Maintenance Technician

Job Summary: The Lead Maintenance Technician maximizes the safety, reliability, and availability of DC equipment through advanced troubleshooting, repair, and day-to-day technical leadership. This role applies specialized knowledge of maintenance methods, techniques, and processes, supported by an understanding of relevant technical principles, to resolve complex mechanical, electrical, controls, and automation issues. Working under general direction, the Lead Technician operates within established practices and precedents while using sound judgment when limited standards, prior examples, or assistance are available. The role may lead shift or project work, delegate assignments, provide on-the-job training, and guide other technicians without direct supervisory authority. The position partners closely with Maintenance Leadership, Operations, Engineering, and vendors to restore equipment, improve reliability, and strengthen team capability.

% of Time

Essential Functions & Responsibilities: List in order of importance, up to 5 essential job functions and estimate the percentage of time spent on each. Total must equal 100%. Include up to 3 tasks related to each essential job function.

30%

Advanced PLC, Controls, and Automation Troubleshooting

• Connect to PLC-controlled equipment to diagnose faults, analyze logic and I/O conditions, and determine root causes.

• Troubleshoot communication networks, VFDs, servos, HMIs, sensors, safety circuits, and related controls with limited assistance.

• Validate repairs and control changes, document findings, and escalate programming or engineering needs when they exceed role authority.

25%

Complex Maintenance, Repair, and Equipment Reliability

• Diagnose and repair complex electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and material-handling equipment failures using schematics, manuals, and diagnostic tools, and established procedures.

• Perform preventative and predictive maintenance and identify recurring failure patterns that affect safety, throughput, quality, and/or equipment availability.

• Coordinate safe equipment return to service and recommend corrective actions that address underlying causes rather than repeated component replacement.

25%

Team Leadership, Work Coordination, and On-the-Job Training

• Act in a team lead capacity when assigned, including organizing troubleshooting activities, delegating work based on priorities and skill level, and monitoring progress against team requirements.

• Provide technical direction, hands-on coaching, and on-the-job training to all Maintenance Technicians while reinforcing safe work practices and consistent maintenance standards.

• Make timely decisions regarding safety, downtime, escalation, work priorities, and when Leadership, Engineering, or vendor support is required.

20%

Communication, Documentation, and Continuous Improvement

• Communicate equipment status, risks, work assignments, repair plans, and recovery timing with Maintenance Leadership, Operations, Engineering, vendors, and other partners.

• Maintain accurate work orders, troubleshooting notes, parts usage, repair history, training records, and shift handoff information in designated systems.

• Support standard work, spare-parts planning, commissioning, root-cause analysis, and improvement activities that increase reliability, efficiency, and team capability.

Role Profile

Know How:

• Applies specialized knowledge of maintenance methods, techniques, and processes, with working knowledge of the basic theoretical background and principles needed to diagnose and repair complex equipment.

• margin-top:0in;"> margin-top:0in;">undefined**Problem Solving & Decision Making:**Works across multiple, substantially different procedures. Uses judgment when standards or precedents are limited and access to assistance is limited. Determines appropriate troubleshooting paths, priorities, escalation points, and safe return-to-service decisions. **Impact & Accountability:**Works under general direction within standardized practices and procedures covered by precedent. Work is guided by team requirements. May act in a team lead capacity, including providing on-the-job training, delegating work, coordinating response activities, and following through on assigned results.

Qualifications: Requirements for the successful performance of Essential Functions & Responsibilities.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• Associate degree, apprenticeship, or formal technical training in industrial maintenance, electrical technology, automation, mechatronics, or a related field preferred.

Certifications:

• No role-specific certification is required unless mandated by facility equipment, regulation, or local policy.

• PLC/controls, industrial electrical, automation, mechatronics, or manufacturer-specific certification preferred.

• Current safety qualifications applicable to assigned work, such as lockout/tagout, powered industrial equipment, fall protection, or electrical safety, must be completed and maintained as required by the local facility.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 4 years of industrial, manufacturing, distribution, or automated material-handling maintenance experience, including complex electrical and mechanical troubleshooting.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience connecting to PLC-controlled equipment and diagnosing faults through PLC logic, I/O, sensors, drives, networks, and related controls components.

• Experience with PLC, controls, and automation platforms used at the local facility preferred and may be required when essential to facility operations.

• Experience providing technical direction, delegating work, and delivering on-the-job training, as well as experience coordinating major breakdown response required.

Skills:

• Advanced troubleshooting of PLC-controlled and automated equipment, including PLC logic, discrete and analog I/O, sensors, industrial communication networks, VFDs, servos, HMIs, and safety circuits.

• Ability to interpret electrical schematics, ladder logic, equipment drawings, technical manuals, and diagnostic information to identify root causes.

• Working knowledge of industrial electrical systems and mechanical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems used in distribution center equipment.

• Ability to think across multiple procedures, identify the best path with limited standards or precedents, and make sound decisions when assistance is limited.

• Ability to prioritize and delegate work, provide on-the-job training, monitor progress, and reinforce safety, quality, and documentation expectations without direct supervisory authority.

• Clear written and verbal communication with technicians, leaders, Operations, Engineering, vendors, and other departments.

• Demonstrated accountability, professionalism, initiative, organization, and sound judgment, with the potential to progress into a Maintenance Supervisor role.

• Proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems, basic workplace technology, and documentation of work performed.

Competencies: The Deckers global leadership competencies define the behaviors essential to our work across the organization.

• Demonstrate Authenticity

  • Gaining confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity and courage.

• Champion Diverse, Effective Teams

  • Valuing diverse perspectives and leveraging the talents of teams to achieve our goals.

• Drive Strategy

  • Driving future possibilities and change to maintain our competitive advantage.

• Cultivate Innovation

  • Exploring new and better ways to delight consumers and achieve success.

• Deliver Results

  • Demonstrating accountability for results enabled by prioritization, planning and execution.

• Build Connection

  • Maximizing our impact by bringing self-awareness to how we communicate and collaborate across teams and the communities we serve.

Physical Demands: In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to allow a person with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Distribution Center: This role requires regular physical activity, including standing and walking for extended periods, reaching, bending, stooping, and repetitive motions. Employees may be required to frequently lift, push, pull, and carry materials, typically ranging from 25 to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Work Environment: In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to allow a person with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

Distribution Center: Work is performed in a distribution or warehouse environment that may include varying temperatures, noise levels, and exposure to moving machinery, equipment, and forklifts. Employees may be required to work inside large facilities and occasionally outdoors at loading docks. The environment is fast paced and safety focused. Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety shoes, gloves, or high-visibility apparel may be required in accordance with safety guidelines. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

$25.82 - $32.26

The salary range posted reflects the estimated minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for this role in:

US - IN US8 Midwest Distribution Center

Individual pay will be determined by location and additional factors, including job related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary for your preferred location during the hiring process.

Equal Employment Opportunity Diversity and inclusion are key to our success. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds who share a passion for our brands. We welcome qualified applicants regardless of their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, military or veteran status, mental or physical disability, medical condition and all the other beautiful parts of your identity.