Brice Smith
Youngsville,LA
Summary
Industrial Maintenance Technician with experience in advanced manufacturing and renewable energy environments. Skilled in preventive maintenance, vacuum pump rebuilds, high-voltage electrical inspections, and industrial troubleshooting. Strong background in mechanical, electrical, and automation systems with proven ability to work independently and support team-based maintenance operations safely and efficiently.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Maintenance Technician II
First Solar
New Iberia, LA
11.2025 - Current
- Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on plant equipment to maximize reliability and reduce unplanned downtime across production lines.
- Lead troubleshooting and repair of complex mechanical, electrical, and vacuum systems, minimizing downtime and restoring operations efficiently.
- Rebuild and optimize liquid ring vacuum pump (LRVP) systems, separators, and heat exchangers, ensuring peak performance and process stability.
- Diagnose system performance issues such as cavitation, high purge pressure, and vacuum loss using process data (PT2), instrumentation, and root cause analysis.
- Conduct high-voltage infrared (IR) inspections to proactively identify electrical failures and prevent critical equipment outages.
Enforce and execute Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols during all maintenance activities. - Troubleshoot and support VFD-driven systems, motors, conveyors, and gearboxes, including parameter verification and fault diagnostics.
Support PLC-controlled systems and field devices, assisting with sensor validation, actuator functionality, and signal troubleshooting. - Calibrate and validate instrumentation including pressure, flow, and temperature sensors to maintain process accuracy.
Identify and resolve vacuum leaks, piping restrictions, and system inefficiencies impacting production performance. - Drive reliability initiatives through proactive inspections, failure analysis, and implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
- Utilize advanced diagnostic tools (multimeters, IR cameras, vibration awareness, process trending) to assess equipment health.
Maintain detailed maintenance records, rebuild logs, and inspection reports to support compliance and continuous improvement.
Lead training and mentorship of junior technicians, improving team troubleshooting capability and reducing repeat equipment failures. - Act as a technical resource on shift, providing guidance during breakdowns and supporting less experienced team members.
- Coordinate with engineering, operations, and reliability teams to implement system improvements and optimize equipment performance.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on safety, efficiency, and long-term equipment reliability.
- Ensure compliance with all safety, environmental, and operational standards within a manufacturing environment.
Maintenance Shift Supervisor
SafeSource Direct
Broussard, LA
06.2025 - 11.2025
- Led and coordinated maintenance technicians during shift operations to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable plant performance.
- Planned, assigned, and prioritized work orders using CMMS, ensuring timely completion and minimal production disruption.
- Directed troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and automation issues, reducing downtime and improving equipment reliability.
- Ensured execution of preventive and corrective maintenance programs, maintaining compliance with operational standards.
- Provided technical leadership and support on PLC systems, motors, pumps, conveyors, sensors, and plant utilities.
- Enforced safety standards and LOTO procedures, promoting a strong safety culture and zero-incident mindset.
- Coordinated with production leadership to align maintenance activities with production goals and minimize downtime impact.
- Monitored and analyzed shift performance metrics, including downtime, response time, and equipment reliability trends.
- Trained and mentored maintenance technicians, improving team skill level, troubleshooting efficiency, and overall performance.
- Acted as primary technical decision-maker on shift, supporting critical breakdown response and escalation situations.
- Drove continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency, and reduction of repeat failures.
Senior Maintenance Technician (Mechanical/Automation)
SafeSource Direct
Broussard, LA
01.2023 - 06.2025
- Troubleshot and repaired machinery, automation equipment, conveyor systems, and industrial gas ovens.
- Performed preventive and corrective maintenance on mechanical and electrical systems.
- Diagnosed PLC-controlled systems, sensors, and automation components.
- Calibrated and replaced gas sensors to ensure safe operation.
- Used CMMS to manage and document maintenance work orders.
- Applied safe work practices with strict adherence to LOTO procedures.
Maintenance Repairer II
New Iberia Research Center
New Iberia, LA
07.2018 - 01.2023
- Performed facility and industrial maintenance on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural systems.
- Operated heavy equipment to support maintenance, repairs, and facility operations.
- Welded and fabricated equipment components, restoring damaged structures and improving equipment durability.
- Installed, repaired, and maintained piping systems, including galvanized water lines and facility plumbing infrastructure.
- Diagnosed and repaired gas line systems, ensuring safe and reliable operation.
- Troubleshot and repaired 120V and 220V electrical systems, including lighting, outlets, and branch circuits.
- Troubleshot, repaired, and replaced three-phase motors, supporting equipment operation and minimizing downtime.
- Performed general maintenance and infrastructure repairs, including building systems and support equipment.
- Serviced and repaired facility equipment, including washers, dryers, and laboratory fume hoods.
- Applied safe work practices and followed safety procedures while performing maintenance and repair tasks.
Laboratory Technical Assistant
New Iberia Research Center
New Iberia, LA
09.2016 - 07.2018
- Supported daily facility operations including sanitation, inspections, and equipment cleaning.
- Maintained strict safety and cleanliness standards.
Blaster / Painter / Forklift Operator
United Fire and Safety
Broussard, LA
06.2015 - 08.2016
- Performed sandblasting and industrial coating of piping and steel structures to meet quality and durability standards.
- Operated forklifts and material handling equipment to safely transport materials and support production workflow.
- Followed safety procedures and job specifications to ensure quality workmanship and safe operations.
Education
High School Diploma / GED -
Delcambre High School
Delcambre, LA05.2015
Skills
Industrial electrical troubleshooting
Preventive & predictive maintenance
Vacuum pump rebuilds and diagnostics
High-voltage IR scanning / thermal inspections
Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) safety procedures
Mechanical & electrical repair
PLC diagnostics and automation systems
Motors, drives (VFDs), conveyors
Welding & fabrication
Blueprint and schematic reading
CMMS work order systems
Team collaboration and independent work
Certification
Fundamental’s Of Robotics
Timeline
Maintenance Technician II
First Solar
11.2025 - Current
Maintenance Shift Supervisor
SafeSource Direct
06.2025 - 11.2025
Senior Maintenance Technician (Mechanical/Automation)
SafeSource Direct
01.2023 - 06.2025
Maintenance Repairer II
New Iberia Research Center
07.2018 - 01.2023
Laboratory Technical Assistant
New Iberia Research Center
09.2016 - 07.2018
Blaster / Painter / Forklift Operator
United Fire and Safety
06.2015 - 08.2016
High School Diploma / GED -
Delcambre High School