Job Description Template: Maintenance Technician
This template helps Swiss employers recruit a maintenance technician. It covers what the role involves—preventive and corrective maintenance, equipment inspections, repairs—plus must-have technical skills, nice-to-haves like electrical knowledge, and guidance on salary and benefits typical for Swiss SMEs.
A maintenance technician keeps your operations running smoothly by servicing equipment, diagnosing problems, and performing repairs. This template is designed for Swiss SMEs to attract reliable technical staff without an in-house HR team.
Customize the Pensum percentage, canton/city, and technical specifics to match your machinery and production environment.
The Role: What They Do
Your maintenance technician performs both preventive and corrective maintenance on equipment and machinery. They inspect systems regularly, identify wear or failure risks, and carry out repairs to minimize downtime.
They keep detailed maintenance logs, order spare parts when needed, and collaborate with operations staff to schedule maintenance windows. Safety compliance and cleanliness are non-negotiable.
- Conduct daily or weekly inspections of assigned equipment and report findings
- Perform preventive maintenance (cleaning, lubrication, filter changes, calibration)
- Diagnose mechanical and electrical faults; repair or replace components
- Maintain maintenance records and spare-parts inventory
- Follow safety protocols and wear required protective equipment
- Respond to urgent breakdowns and minimise production loss
Must-Have Requirements
Your candidate needs hands-on experience with machinery similar to yours—this is not a training position. A Swiss apprenticeship (EFZ) in a relevant field or equivalent practical experience over 2–3 years is the baseline.
Technical troubleshooting, attention to detail, and a safety-first mindset are essential. They should read and understand technical drawings and manuals.
- Completed apprenticeship (EFZ) or 2+ years hands-on maintenance experience
- Proven ability to diagnose and repair mechanical systems
- Fluent in [insert working language: German/French/Italian] and basic technical English (for manuals)
- Valid driving licence (if site visits or parts collection required)
- Swiss work authorisation or residence permit (C, B, or equivalent)
- Willingness to complete safety certifications your company requires
Nice-to-Have Skills & What We Offer
If your maintenance load includes electrical systems or PLCs, experience here is a real advantage. CNC knowledge, hydraulics, or pneumatics may also be relevant depending on your equipment.
Highlight your benefits clearly: competitive salary (typically CHF 4,500–5,500 gross per month for this role, depending on canton and experience), flexible working hours, ongoing training, and a stable role with growth potential in a growing company.
- Experience with electrical systems, PLC programming, or automation
- Knowledge of hydraulic or pneumatic equipment
- CNC or industrial machinery familiarity
- Willingness to be on-call for critical breakdowns
- Salary: CHF 4,500–5,500 gross per month (13 monthly salaries per year)
- Pensum: [insert 80–100%]; flexible scheduling; 20+ days holiday; ongoing technical training; stable employment with SME culture
Frequently asked questions
- Should I name the canton in the job ad?
- Yes. Swiss candidates search by location. Always state your canton and city clearly (e.g. 'Maintenance Technician, Zurich, ZH' or 'Maintenance Technician, Lausanne, VD'). This helps the right people find you and prevents mismatched applications.
- What Pensum should I offer?
- State it as a percentage: '80–100%' is common for this role. If flexible, say 'negotiable between 80–100%'. Swiss candidates expect clarity on hours per week and whether overtime (or Gleitzeit/flexible hours) is standard.
- How do I handle language requirements?
- List the working language (German/French/Italian) under 'Must-Have' because it's essential for safety and teamwork. English can go under 'Nice-to-Have' if technical manuals are in English but not day-to-day speech.
General information for Swiss employers, not legal advice. Have a lawyer confirm anything with legal consequences.