Job Title: Lead Mechanic

FLSA Status: Hourly Non-Exempt

Group: Regular – Full Time

Department: Machine Shop

Location: Deer Park, TX

About Cooper Machinery Services:

Cooper Machinery Services provides natural gas compression equipment and services to customers globally in the Oil & Gas, Power, Transportation, and Marine sectors. With a proud heritage dating back to 1833, Cooper Machinery Services is the OEM for legendary product lines including Cooper-Bessemer™, Ajax™, Superior™, Gemini, TSI, CSI, Enterprise, and Joy. Headquartered in Houston, TX, but with commercial and services hubs around the world, Cooper Machinery Services provides world-class services to more than 22,000 units in its installed base.

Our strength is our people. Each employee plays an integral role in our success and growth. With a commitment to our vision that strong relationships drive strong results and better business, our people make Cooper Machinery Services legendary.

Job Overview:

The Lead Mechanic is a highly skilled technical role responsible for the disassembly, positioning, reassembly, testing and painting of moderate to highly complex equipment utilizing a combination of manual, pneumatic and hydraulic tools for fitting, adjusting, and securing maneuvers. Clean inspect and repair Natural gas engine and compressor components in a shop environment, must be able to adhere to all Environmental, Health and Safety rules and regulations. Be capable of reading detailed prints, use and read micrometers, dial calipers and dial indicators. In addition to executing expert-level mechanical work, the Lead Mechanic provides daily oversight of shop activities, serving as a technical resource to resolve complex issues, uphold quality standards, and support process improvements. Must be able to work overtime, weekends and holidays.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide daily oversight of shop activities and help coordinate workflow on the floor, ensuring work is carried out safely, efficiently, and in accordance with engineering specifications and quality standards.
• Train and mentor mechanics at all levels to build technical capability, craftsmanship, and adherence to Cooper standards.
• Serve as a technical resource for peers by demonstrating best practices, advanced techniques, and proper use of specialized tools and equipment.
• Consistently meet production schedules and quality requirements while contributing expertise to continuous improvement initiatives.
• Apply advanced mechanical knowledge and troubleshooting skills to diagnose, repair, and restore complex natural gas engine (Including CAT 3600 and Waukesha 7042/7044 in-frame complete shop zero-hour overhauls) and compressor components.
• Perform disassembly, inspection, reassembly, testing, and painting of highly complex equipment using a wide range of manual, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools.
• Conduct and document risk assessments before operations and material movements, ensuring safe use of cranes, lift trucks, and other heavy equipment.
• Troubleshoot and perform minor maintenance on mechanical tooling and equipment.
• Complete required documentation with accurate information for routers, inspection reports, and test results.
• Collaborate with engineering and quality teams to support root-cause investigations and recommend improvements to repair methods, tooling, and processes.
• Ensure facility equipment and tooling are accounted for, maintained, and operating in safe and efficient condition.
• Identify, report, and resolve problems or hazardous conditions that occur during equipment disassembly, assembly, and test set-up.
• Conduct all business-related tasks according to Cooper Machinery Services policies.
• Demonstrate an unwavering commitment to Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).
• Understand and adhere to Compliance and Integrity policies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or indicated by management

Qualifications/Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED from an accredited school or institution
• Minimum 10 years of experience in mechanical test and assembly / disassembly or heavy equipment repairs and maintenance
• Minimum 8 years of experience in Operations / service center operation applications or minimum 8 years of total relevant operation experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of existing natural gas engine and compressor cylinder equipment strongly preferred

Eligibility Requirements

• Work overtime, weekends and holidays as required
• Work in a constant pushing, pulling, lifting, stretching, bending and other physical activities
• Be in the shop environment a minimum of 8 hours per day, primarily standing and sitting, as required
• Lift objects weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Be subjected to extreme heat for extended periods of time
• Work inside and outside, as required
• Interpret drawings, prints, drawings and engineering specifications to perform moderately complex, repetitive disassembly and reassembly tasks of all pressure control equipment
• Possess or obtain forklift operator license and certification to operate overhead cranes
• Wear PPE or Personal Protective Equipment - Hearing and eye protection (safety equipment) must be used
• Operate pneumatic and hydraulic torque tools
• Comply with all applicable quality, health, safety, and environmental regulations and maintain good housekeeping in assigned work area
• Possess a valid driver’s license

Desired Characteristics

• Team player
• Ability to work un-directed per engineering specifications and inspect own work for integrity and quality
• Ability to perform highly complex troubleshooting and repair of equipment
• Ability to setup and run test operations on basic and moderately complex sub-assemblies and final assemblies following engineering drawings, parts specifications, assembly procedures and/or verbal instructions
• Ability to perform hydro pressure testing and functional testing of product
• Knowledgeable in good housekeeping requirements and all safety regulations
• Basic math skills
• Ability to read schematics
• Mechanical aptitude
• Familiarity with tools
• Previous manufacturing / shop service center operations experience

Cooper Machinery Services is an equal opportunity employer and gives all qualified applicants consideration of employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, any other characteristic protected by law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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