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Maintenance Technician - 2nd Shift

Zekelman Industries · Rochelle, IL · Full time

Posted Aug 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about the hardest electrical fault you've tracked down on production equipment. How did you find it?

What they are checking: The depth of their real electrical troubleshooting, since the posting leans on electrical aptitude more than mechanical.

Tell me about a time you found the root cause of a repeat breakdown instead of fixing the same thing again.

What they are checking: Whether they think about yield and uptime over time, not just about clearing today's call.

How do you hand off an unfinished repair to the next shift?

What they are checking: Whether their notes are clear enough that the next tech can pick up safely without repeating the diagnosis.

What would you do

A mill stops mid-run on third shift and the operator says it just quit. How do you start troubleshooting?

What they are checking: Whether they work from the electrical print and the symptoms in a logical order instead of swapping parts until something works.

You're on third shift with no supervisor around and production is pushing you to skip a guard to get the mill running. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they hold the safety line alone at night when the pressure to restart is the highest.

You notice you're down to the last spare of a part that fails often. What do you do about it?

What they are checking: Whether they own parts inventory so the next breakdown doesn't turn into hours of downtime waiting on a part.

How do you decide whether to make a quick fix to get running or take the time for a full repair?

What they are checking: Their judgment about uptime versus rebuilds, and whether they flag a temporary fix so it gets done right later.

About the work

Walk me through how you lock out and tag out a tube mill before you put your hands on it.

What they are checking: Whether they verify zero energy themselves, including stored hydraulic and pneumatic energy, instead of trusting that a switch is off.

How would you check a three-phase motor that keeps tripping its overload?

What they are checking: Whether they know to check amperage, voltage balance, insulation and mechanical load before blaming the motor itself.

Before you hand a machine back to the operator, what do you check?

What they are checking: Whether guards and safety devices are a habit at the end of every job, which the posting calls out directly.

What's your experience reading electrical schematics and ladder logic on industrial equipment?

What they are checking: Whether they can follow a circuit on paper, which is what separates a technician from a parts changer.

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The full job description

As published by Zekelman Industries.

You may not know our name, but you know our products. What we make is part the places where we live, work and play – all day, everyday. Zekelman is a family of companies — 100% domestic manufacturers — with a legacy dating back to 1877. We’re proud to be the largest independent steel pipe and tube manufacturer in North America and the leading innovator in multi-family housing development. We believe in what we build and what we build, builds the world around us. Hospitals, hotels, schools, bridges, airports and more. Come build a career you believe in. Reporting to the supervisor, the Maintenance Technician plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe repair and rebuild of tube mill production equipment. The primary focus is to maximize equipment quality, uptime, rate, and yield. This position is ideal for individuals with a strong electrical aptitude, excellent troubleshooting skills, and the ability to identify and resolve both electrical and mechanical issues. A keen attention to detail and adherence to safety procedures are essential for success in this role. Key Responsibilities: • Perform electrical maintenance on equipment, following all safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO). • Ensure all guards and safety equipment are in place and functional before returning equipment to operators. • Monitor inventory levels of parts, equipment, and supplies; place orders and verify receipts as needed. • Utilize manual and computerized maintenance management systems to track, inspect, and report equipment status. • Read and interpret blueprints, manuals, and schematics to diagnose and repair equipment and machinery. • Troubleshoot and resolve electrical, mechanical, and quality issues, escalating concerns to supervisors when necessary. • Perform breakdown repairs, preventive maintenance, and changeover tasks on production equipment. • Identify and report safety, quality, operational, or output issues when unable to correct them independently. • Observe mechanical devices in operation, using precision instruments to diagnose and resolve problems. • Fabricate repair parts using machine shop tools and equipment. • Maintain a clean and safe work environment by complying with all safety regulations and company procedures. • Operate powered industrial trucks, overhead cranes, and portable cranes as required. • Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to problem-solving efforts. • Comply with OSHA safety standards, including hazard communication, lockout procedures, and ergonomic guidelines. • Promote a culture of health and safety in accordance with company policies and regulatory standards. • Perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor. Qualifications: • Minimum of 5 years of experience in a heavy manufacturing environment, preferably in a maintenance role. • High school diploma or equivalent required; apprenticeship, journeyman training, military service, or equivalent mechanical/electrical training preferred. • Proficiency in using hand and power tools, precision measuring devices, and interpreting technical drawings. • Strong mechanical aptitude and familiarity with electrical systems and PLCs. • Effective communication skills in English, with the ability to perform basic math calculations. • Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving skills in a fast-paced, safety-focused environment. • Ability to pass job-related testing, an employment physical, and a drug screening. • Strong teamwork skills with a willingness to collaborate and contribute to team success. Physical Requirements: • Ability to regularly lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. • Ability to stand or walk for extended periods throughout the shift. • Ability to bend, twist, stoop, sit, kneel, crawl, and reach in all directions as needed. • Other physical demands as required for the position. Zekelman Industries offers competitive compensation and excellent benefits, including low-cost, high-quality medical and dental benefits.  In addition, we have an amazing tuition assistance program, a bonus plan, a 401(k) plan with a generous company match, immediate vesting, and much more. M/F/D/V We are Zekelman Industries. We manufacture superior quality tubular and related products, and provide outstanding service for our valued customers. We seek to continuously advance the skills and opportunities of our employees, utilizing the latest technology and management tools available to consistently increase profitability and the enterprise value of Zekelman Industries and of our customers.

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