Equipment Maintenance Specialist

IDEX•Santa Ana, CA

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Equipment Maintenance Specialist ensures the reliable operation of production equipment used in brazing, plating, sputtering, and inspection at IJ Research. This role requires hands-on troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, reverse engineering when needed, and coordination with vendors. The position is responsible for minimizing downtime and supporting quality and delivery. Strong computer proficiency is required to manage maintenance records, track projects, and support data-driven decision-making. This role carries full ownership and accountability for assigned projects, ensuring timely execution and successful outcomes.

Requirements

5+ years of relevant hands-on experience in a manufacturing or R&D environment
Strong mechanical and electrical aptitude; familiarity with vacuum, high-temperature, and clean-room compatible equipment
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel (tracking, formulas, reporting)
Demonstrated ability to work without complete documentation, applying reverse-engineering approaches when required
Demonstrated ability to manage projects using computer-based tools
Comfortable working safely with high-temperature, high-voltage, and gas systems (e.g., hydrogen, vacuum)
Strong communication skills; able to clearly convey technical findings and collaborate across teams
Willingness to travel occasionally for equipment evaluations

Nice To Haves

Experience with ERP or maintenance tracking systems
Familiarity with plating processes, vacuum testing, or thin/thick film deposition
Experience with sensors, basic automation, or PLC interfaces
Technical certifications in maintenance, controls, or industrial systems
Understanding of contamination control, cleanroom standards, or precision metrology tools

Responsibilities

Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair critical equipment related to clean-room, thermal processing, plating, deposition, and inspection systems—including hydrogen and vacuum furnaces, sputtering systems, gold/nickel plating lines, vacuum leak testers, XRF, profilometers, and drying ovens.
Support root cause analysis and corrective actions for equipment issues that affect production output, process consistency, or product quality.
Develop and update preventive maintenance schedules and work instructions to ensure reliable equipment operation.
Manage and maintain maintenance documentation for all production and process equipment.
Maintain/upgrade/create and regularly update a centralized database of equipment conditions, service history, and maintenance activities.
Collaborate with production, quality, and engineering teams to align equipment performance with process requirements.
When necessary, reverse engineer mechanical, electrical, or control systems to restore or improve function.
Interface with equipment vendors and external service providers for repair, parts sourcing, and technical consultation.
Travel on occasion to evaluate new or used equipment for suitability to IJ Research processes (e.g., brazing, sputtering, plating, etc.).
Participate in or lead equipment installations and facility upgrades related to utilities and infrastructure.
Maintain proper documentation of work performed, including equipment logs and service reports.
Maintain full accountability for project outcomes, timelines, and deliverables, even when work is supported by others.