Maintenance Technician III; Plastics Manufacturing

At Schaefer Plastics, we manufacture industry-leading solutions while driving responsible practices for a more sustainable future. As a family-owned company since 1937, we are committed to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer care. As a global injection molding manufacturer, we produce durable waste and recycling carts, as well as reusable packaging systems designed to reduce environmental impact. Our Charlotte facility is a fast-paced, highly technical manufacturing environment where senior maintenance talent is essential to equipment reliability, production uptime, safety, and long-term operational performance.

Maintenance Technician III
is a senior-level maintenance role responsible for advanced troubleshooting, repair, and reliability support for injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, robotics, automation, and facility systems. This position requires a high level of technical skill in electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical, and electronic systems, with the ability to independently diagnose complex equipment failures and lead repairs.

The ideal candidate will have advanced hydraulic and electrical troubleshooting knowledge, including the ability to read, interpret, and apply electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical schematics, symbols, wiring diagrams, component layouts, and technical documentation. This role will serve as a technical resource for the maintenance team, support root-cause analysis, mentor less experienced technicians, and help improve equipment reliability across the Charlotte operation.

• Perform advanced troubleshooting and repair of injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, robotics, automation, and related production systems.
• Diagnose complex mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, electronic, and control system issues.
• Read, interpret, and apply hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical schematics, including advanced symbols, wiring diagrams, component layouts, sequence of operations, and technical manuals.
• Troubleshoot electrical circuits, motors, drives, controls, sensors, relays, switches, heaters, thermocouples, safety circuits, and related machine components.
• Troubleshoot complex hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, proportional valves, cylinders, hoses, fittings, accumulators, pressure issues, flow issues, leaks, and repeat failures.
• Support troubleshooting of robotics, automation, material handling systems, conveyors, dryers, loaders, grinders, chillers, compressors, and other auxiliary equipment.
• Perform preventive and predictive maintenance and recommend improvements to reduce downtime and repeat failures.
• Lead or support root-cause analysis for major equipment breakdowns and recurring maintenance issues.
• Complete assigned work orders using a computerized maintenance system and document findings, repairs, parts used, and follow-up needs.
• Assist with mold changes, machine start-ups, equipment adjustments, and complex production support issues.
• Operate shop equipment, including milling machines, band saws, drill presses, lathes, welders, concrete drills, torches, electrical testers, and other maintenance tools.
• Use advanced diagnostic tools, meters, electrical testing equipment, and technical resources to resolve equipment issues.
• Monitor and maintain facility services, including water, compressed air, and electrical supply.
• Identify and communicate the need for spare or replacement parts and provide input on critical spare parts needs.
• Mentor and support Tier I and Tier II technicians through technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and on-the-job training.
• Provide input on equipment reliability improvements, safety improvements, preventive maintenance updates, and maintenance best practices.
• Follo…