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Industrial Machinery Mechanic
Repair and maintain the machines used in factories and power plants.
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Career facts
- Preparation
- Medium preparation needed · vocational training, an associate degree or an apprenticeship
- Ways in
- Apprenticeship
- Associate degree
- Industry certification
About this career
Industrial machinery mechanics inspect conveyors, pumps, presses and production lines, replace worn parts, and diagnose breakdowns to get equipment running again. They read technical manuals and schematics, use precision measuring tools, welding gear and diagnostic software, and keep maintenance logs. Entry is a high school diploma plus on-the-job training, an apprenticeship, or a certificate from a technical college.
Learning path
Take these courses in order, from beginner to mid-level.
Step 1: STEM Foundations: The Universal Skill Stack
The shared base every STEM career uses: working with numbers and units, testing ideas fairly, handling data and code, and explaining your work.
Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 18mAlso used in 34 other careersStep 2: Foundations for Skilled Technical STEM Careers
Hands-on technical careers you can enter through apprenticeship: troubleshooting, safety awareness, the routes in, and the trade math you will use every day.
Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 4h 34mAlso used in 1 other careerStep 3: Digital Literacy for Tech & STEM Work
The everyday computer, internet, safety and AI skills every tech and STEM job assumes you already have.
Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 6h 8mAlso used in 34 other careersStep 4: Professional Communication & Teamwork
Write clear emails and documents, present and run meetings, work well on teams, and navigate résumés, interviews and networking.
Level: Beginner4 modules · 12 lessons · 7h 24mAlso used in 34 other careersStep 5: Math for Tech & STEM
The practical math behind tech and STEM work: numbers, algebra, functions, geometry, logic and counting, with short code exercises.
Level: Beginner5 modules · 15 lessons · 7h 32mAlso used in 34 other careersStep 6: Workplace Safety & Tools
Learn your OSHA rights, spot hazards, choose PPE, understand lockout/tagout and electrical safety, and use hand tools, power tools and measuring tools safely.
Level: Beginner3 modules · 10 lessons · 5h 19mAlso used in 4 other careersStep 7: Technical Drawing & CAD Basics
Read orthographic views, scales, dimensions, tolerances, schematics, GD&T callouts and floor plans, then sketch and model parts in free CAD tools.
Level: Beginner3 modules · 9 lessons · 5h 37mAlso used in 4 other careersStep 8: Electrical Circuits
Learn DC and AC circuit analysis, power factor and three-phase basics, safe measurement on battery circuits, simulation, transformers, motors and systematic troubleshooting.
Level: Intermediate4 modules · 12 lessons · 8h 43mAlso used in 3 other careersStep 9: Mechanical Systems & Maintenance
Learn how bearings, belts, chains, couplings, gears, hydraulics, pneumatics and pumps work, how they fail, and how maintenance teams lubricate, plan PM work, rig loads and weld safely.
Level: Intermediate3 modules · 10 lessons · 5h 16mStep 10: Industrial Controls & PLCs
Read relay ladder diagrams, match sensors and actuators, understand VFDs, program PLC logic with timers and counters, and troubleshoot, guard and maintain automated machines.
Level: Mid-level3 modules · 10 lessons · 5h 14mAlso used in 2 other careers
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