Mechanical Technical Trainer

About Us:

Panelmatic, Inc. was founded in 1957 in Youngstown, OH to serve manufacturing industries with the design and build of custom electrical, instrument, and pneumatic control panels. Our business has sufficiently grown over the years to support expansion for our clients. We have produced control packages for many of America's top corporations in the chemical, environmental, food, pulp and paper, rubber, petroleum, pharmaceutical, glass, metals, and utilities industries. We also deliver equipment for use worldwide. Our rigorous methodology assures compliance with domestic and international standards. We can meet the needs of our diverse clientele from start to finish through sales, design, fabrication, testing, and delivery.

Since 1957, we have been known for our high-quality, custom-built control packages, our comprehensive service, and our technological and manufacturing expertise. This expertise assures you of our ability to handle the largest and most complex packages quickly and efficiently.

Job Summary:

The Mechanical Technical Trainer is responsible for delivering hands-on operator training for all Panelmatic mechanical assembly, structural fabrication, and base/assembly building work across product lines (PEC, REL, PDP, ICP, and future products). This role owns the operator's training journey from day one through full floor release, teaching in a safe, controlled training environment using approved Single Point Lessons (SPLs) and Work Instructions. This also includes coaching operators to competency, validating skills as at 30/60/90-day intervals, and formally signing off operators for unsupervised production work. The Technical Trainer is the last quality and safety checkpoint before an operator joins the floor and the first line of feedback to Engineering and D when content gaps are identified.

Job Duties:

• Lead structured classroom and hands-on training sessions for new and incumbent operators using the approved SPL library and Work Instructions for mechanical work across all Panelmatic product lines.
• Execute the three-phase instructional framework for every SPL: deliver the "Know It" content, demonstrate the "Watch It" steps, and observe and coach the operator through "Do It" practice.
• Conduct all initial skill-building in the dedicated training area before any production exposure. Reinforce PPE, LOTO, and safe-work practices at every step of every lesson.
• Provide real-time, behaviorally specific feedback during practice. Document observations, target development areas, and adjust pacing to the individual learner.
• Administer and document competency checklists at 30, 60, and 90-day intervals per the established SOP. Apply objective, consistent evaluation criteria.
• Hold full sign-off authority to release operators to OTJ once competency is demonstrated and validated. Withhold release when standards are not met and define a clear path to re-evaluation.
• Partner with the Training Coordinator / LMS Administrator on enrollment, completion tracking, and reporting. Provide trainer-level input on system improvements.
• Attend cascade TTT sessions led by SMEs and Engineering whenever new SPLs, Work Instructions, or revisions are released. Internalize content before delivering to operators.
• Flag SPL or WI gaps, inaccuracies, or safety concerns identified during training. Escalate through the defined channel to Document Control and Engineering for revision.
• Partner with the Training Coordinator / LMS Administrator on enrollment, completion tracking, and reporting. Provide trainer-level input on system improvements.
• Travel to other Panelmatic facilities as needed to deliver training, support new product line launches, calibrate trainer-to-trainer consistency, or backfill during peak demand.

Requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5–7 years of hands-on experience in industrial mechanical assembly, structural fabrication, welding, or related mechanical manufacturing work.
• Demonstrated technical mastery of base assembly, beam prep, structural welding, floor plate installation, frame assembly, structural lift and flip operations, ceiling and wall panel installation, and final QC handoff.
• Working knowledge of OSHA, rigging and crane safety, fall protection, and hot-work standards.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, structural prints, weld symbols, GD&T basics, and BOMs.
• Strong proficiency with measurement tools (precision digital levels, calibrated tapes, squares, chalk lines) and power tools (grinders, mag drills, impact drills, welders).
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Ability to work on the production floor: lift up to 50 lbs, stand for full shift, use required PPE including welding gear.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience as a Lead, Floor Lead, or formal trainer in a mechanical or structural fabrication environment.
• AWS welding certification or completion of a recognized welding/fabrication apprenticeship.
• Industry certifications: OSHA 30, Rigging & Signal Person, Forklift / Overhead Crane operator, AWS D1.1.
• Familiarity with Lean, Kaizen, or TWI (Training Within Industry) methodologies.
• Working knowledge of ANSI and IEEE standards.
• Experience with LMS platforms and structured competency-based training programs.
• Bilingual (English / Spanish).

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, HSA, term life, AD&D, STD, LTD
• 100% medical premium paid for by Panelmatic for the employee-only level medical coverage
• 80% paid for by Panelmatic and 20% paid for by the employee on all other level medical coverage (i.e. employee plus child, employee plus spouse, family)
• 401(k) contributions matched 100% up to 4% 
• Scholarships, educational reimbursement, paid volunteerism, and paid personal and professional development provided
• PTO and paid holidays provided
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive wages
• Family-friendly environment with average employee tenure above five years