Job Description

Job Location: Equilibar - FLETCHER, NC 28732
Position Type: Full TimeAssembly Technician  Equilibar                                                                                              EXTERNAL
Location: Fletcher, NC
Reports to: Production Manager, Equilibar
Company Profile:
Richards Industrials, founded in 1961, is a leading manufacturer of pressure regulators, control valves, and advanced fluid control solutions. The company is recognized by customers for delivering high-quality products, exceptional service, and fast, reliable lead times. Its portfolio spans a range of specialized brands, each designed to address demanding applications requiring precise technical performance. As part of the Richards Industrials family, Equilibar represents a key innovation pillar, offering patented fluid control technologies that enable high-precision performance in critical applications. These solutions play an important role in advanced and rapidly evolving industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, and emerging AI-driven systems.
With primary locations in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Fletcher, North Carolina, and a global workforce of approximately 190 employees, the company is composed by an experienced and passionate team.
Richards Industrials is committed to sustainable, profitable growth through operational excellence, expansion into new markets and channels, and continued investment in innovative products and technologies that meet evolving customer needs.
Richards has four Core Values:
- Empowerment: Employees are our most valuable asset
- Collaboration: Together we achieve more
- Pioneering Spirit: Curiosity and innovation are our driving forces
- Service Mindset: Never stop advocating for the Customer
Our purpose is to solve tomorrow’s demanding fluid control problems, today.
The Position:
The Assembly Technician - Equilibar is responsible for assembling, testing, and documenting Equilibar back pressure regulators, subassemblies, and accessories to engineering specifications and customer requirements. This role plays a critical part in ensuring that every product meets the company's high standards for quality, reliability, and performance before shipment.
Working within the Production Department, the Assembly Technician serves as an essential member of the manufacturing team, combining mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, and a commitment to quality throughout the assembly and testing process. The position works closely with Production, Engineering, and Quality personnel to identify and resolve assembly or performance issues while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Approximately 90% of this role is dedicated to the assembly, testing, cleaning, and inspection of valve assemblies and related components. The remaining time is spent documenting production and test results within company systems, maintaining tooling records, monitoring consumable inventory, and supporting secondary production activities as needed.
Key Responsibilities
•      Product Assembly & Testing:  Assemble Equilibar back pressure regulators, subassemblies, and accessories according to engineering drawings, work instructions, and customer specifications. Perform functional and leak testing to verify product performance meets engineering and customer requirements before release to production or shipment.
Clean components per specification for the product and ensure all parts are free from contamination, debris, and lint prior to assembly. Maintain high standards of workmanship while following established assembly procedures and quality requirements.
•      Quality & Process Execution:  Support Equilibar's commitment to quality by carefully following documented assembly and testing procedures while maintaining accurate production and inspection records. Document build information, test results, and other required production data within company computer systems to ensure complete product traceability.
Maintain assembly and testing equipment, tooling, and measuring devices, ensuring required records for production tools are current and accurate.
•      Engineering & Production Support: Work closely with Engineering and Production teams to communicate test results, identify assembly challenges, and provide feedback that supports product improvements and efficient manufacturing processes. Assist in troubleshooting product performance issues and implementing engineering-directed modifications when required.
•      Inventory and Workplace Organization: Monitor inventory levels of production consumables and notify Purchasing when replenishment is required to maintain uninterrupted production. Maintain an organized, clean, and safe work area while following established safety procedures and company policies.
Assist with polishing, cleaning, and other production support activities as assigned by the Production Manager to meet departmental objectives.
•      Cross-Training & Operational Flexibility
Develop and maintain proficiency across multiple production and warehouse functions to provide operational flexibility and support changing business needs. Assist with inventory management activities including cycle counts, inventory verification, material transactions, stock replenishment, and proper stocking and binning of components to maintain inventory accuracy and traceability. Support receiving operations by inspecting, verifying, and processing incoming materials in accordance with company procedures. Assist with packaging, labeling, and preparing customer shipments to ensure products are accurately packed and delivered on schedule. Collaborate across Production, Inventory, and Shipping to help maintain efficient material flow, meet production schedules, and support customer commitments.
•      Cross-Functional Support: Collaborate with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Purchasing to support manufacturing goals and customer satisfaction. Perform additional duties as assigned by the Production Manager to support production schedules, business priorities, and continuous operational improvement.
Preferred

Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required.
- Technical degree or certificate in a mechanical, manufacturing, industrial, or related trade preferred, or a minimum of two years of equivalent mechanical assembly experience.
- Previous experience in manufacturing, mechanical assembly, or production environments.
- Experience assembling precision mechanical components using engineering drawings and work instructions.
- Familiarity with pneumatic tools, torque wrenches, calipers, and common hand tools.
- Experience performing mechanical testing, leak testing, or functional testing is preferred.
- Basic computer skills for entering production and testing data.
- Experience working within an ISO 9001 quality management system is beneficial but not required.
- Ability to regularly lift and handle materials weighing up to 75 pounds without assistance.
Personal Attributes:
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing quality work.
- Mechanical aptitude and enjoyment of hands-on technical work.
- Safety-focused with a commitment to maintaining a clean and organized work environment.
- Team-oriented with a willingness to support coworkers and production goals.
- Good problem-solving skills and the ability to identify and communicate issues effectively.
- Dependable, self-motivated, and able to work independently while following established procedures.
- Adaptable and willing to take on additional responsibilities as business needs evolve.
- Pride in craftsmanship and a commitment to building products correctly the first time.
- Growth mindset to take on new challenges and skill sets.
Why Join Us:
- A clean, safe, and climate-controlled work environment
- Opportunities to work with advanced precision products and technologies
- A collaborative culture where employee ideas and feedback are valued
- The satisfaction of building products that make a difference in critical industrial and scientific applications
- A team committed to quality, continuous improvement, and doing things the right way the first time
Equilibar firmly supports the principle and philosophy of equal opportunity for all individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.