Maintenance Technician

Summary of the role

A Maintenance Technician is responsible for the installation, maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting of a wide range of equipment and systems within a facility. In the life sciences sector, this role is critical because it ensures that all machinery, from large-scale manufacturing equipment to delicate laboratory instruments, operates reliably and in compliance with strict regulatory standards. A breakdown or malfunction can have severe financial and regulatory consequences, so these professionals are highly valued.

Typical Duties

The duties of a Maintenance Technician are both proactive and reactive:

• Preventive Maintenance (PM): This is a core duty. You will follow detailed schedules to perform routine inspections, servicing, and cleaning of equipment to prevent unexpected breakdowns. This could involve checking fluid levels, replacing filters, or calibrating sensors on everything from bioreactors to HVAC systems.
• Corrective Maintenance: When a piece of equipment malfunctions, you will be responsible for diagnosing the problem, repairing it, and getting it back into operation as quickly and safely as possible. This requires strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• System and Equipment Installation: You may be involved in the installation and commissioning of new equipment, ensuring it is set up correctly and integrated with existing systems.
• Documentation and Compliance: In a highly regulated environment, meticulous record-keeping is non-negotiable. You will be required to accurately document all maintenance activities in logbooks or a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to support regulatory compliance (e.g., GMP).
• Calibration: Ensuring that all instruments and sensors are calibrated correctly and on schedule to provide accurate data is a key responsibility.

The core skills are the same for advanced therapies and wider life sciences, but the specific equipment and environment differ:

Advanced Therapies: The focus would be on maintaining equipment used in a cleanroom environment, such as isolators, laminar flow hoods, and specialised single-use bioreactors. You would also be heavily involved in maintaining the HVAC systems that ensure a sterile environment. A strong understanding of aseptic techniques is a significant advantage.

Wider Life Sciences: You might be working with a broader range of equipment, including large-scale fermentation tanks, chromatography systems, and pharmaceutical packaging lines. The scale of the equipment is often larger, and the focus might be more on industrial automation and process control systems.

Key Skills and Qualifications (UK)

Essential Qualifications: Many Maintenance Technicians enter the field through apprenticeships, vocational courses (e.g., BTEC, HNC), or relevant City & Guilds qualifications in mechanical, electrical, or a multi-skilled engineering discipline. A full apprenticeship is highly valued.

Desirable Certifications: A solid understanding of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) is essential. While you might not be writing the procedures, you must understand why they are so important. Health and safety certifications like IOSH or NEBOSH are desirable.

Essential Skills:

• Technical Proficiency: A strong, hands-on understanding of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
• Problem-Solving: The ability to logically diagnose and fix complex problems under pressure.
• Attention to Detail: Precision and accuracy are vital for documentation and ensuring that repairs are done correctly the first time.
• Communication: Effective communication with other team members, including engineers and operators, is crucial for coordinating work and reporting issues.
• Teamwork: You will be working as part of a close-knit team, often on a shift basis, to provide 24/7 coverage for a facility.

Salary Expectations (UK)

Starting Salary: For a Maintenance Technician, a starting salary is typically in the range of £25,000 – £35,000 per year. This can be higher with relevant qualifications or if the role involves shift work.

After 3-4 Years: With a few years of experience and a strong track record, a Maintenance Technician can expect to earn between £35,000 – £45,000. Experienced technicians with specialised skills or those who take on senior responsibilities can earn even more.