How to Apply to Advanced Technology Services

10 min read Last updated March 7, 2026 126 open positions

Key Takeaways

  • Tailor your resume to mirror exact terminology from the ATS job posting — include specific equipment brands, PLC platforms, CMMS systems, and certification names that Greenhouse will match against recruiter searches
  • Create a dedicated Certifications section near the top of your resume and include every relevant credential (Journeyman, EPA 608, OSHA, vibration analysis ISO categories) since these serve as critical screening keywords
  • Quantify your maintenance impact using metrics ATS clients care about: uptime percentage, MTBF improvements, PM compliance rates, and OEE contributions — these numbers differentiate you from generic applicants
  • Prepare for technical interviews by reviewing troubleshooting fundamentals for the specific systems listed in the job description — be ready to walk through diagnostic scenarios step by step
  • Research the specific client site and manufacturing sector for the role you're applying to, and connect your experience to that industry during interviews to show you can hit the ground running
  • Emphasize your ability to work professionally within another company's culture while representing ATS standards — this embedded-service dynamic is central to every client-facing role
  • Apply to the single role that best matches your experience level rather than submitting to multiple positions — Greenhouse tracks all applications and targeted interest looks stronger than scattered applications

About Advanced Technology Services

Advanced Technology Services (ATS) is a leading industrial maintenance and manufacturing services provider headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. The company partners with major manufacturers across the United States, deploying skilled maintenance technicians, IT professionals, and parts management specialists directly into client facilities to keep production lines running at peak efficiency. ATS occupies a distinctive niche — rather than manufacturing products themselves, they serve as the critical maintenance backbone for some of America's largest factories and production operations. What makes ATS stand out is its mission-driven focus on technical excellence and uptime. The company has built its reputation on reducing unplanned downtime, optimizing equipment reliability, and applying predictive maintenance strategies that save clients millions in lost production. For technicians and skilled trades professionals, ATS offers something rare: the chance to work across diverse manufacturing environments — from automotive and food processing to pharmaceutical and heavy industrial — without changing employers. The company culture leans heavily toward safety-first values, continuous technical training, and career progression within the skilled trades. Many employees report that ATS invests meaningfully in certifications, professional development, and cross-training opportunities. With approximately 126+ open openings spanning roles from entry-level Crib Attendants to senior-level Vibration Analysis Specialists and Calibration Supervisors, ATS is actively scaling its workforce to meet growing demand for outsourced industrial maintenance. For professionals who thrive in hands-on, problem-solving environments and want stable employment with a company that values technical mastery, ATS represents a compelling career destination.

Application Process

  1. 1
    Search ATS Job Listings by Location and Skill Set

    Visit the Advanced Technology Services careers page, which is powered by Greenhouse, and filter openings by location and job category. Because ATS deploys technicians to client manufacturing facilities, pay close attention to the specific site location listed in each posting — your daily workplace will typically be at a partner's factory, not an ATS corporate office. With 126+ open roles, you'll often find multiple openings in the same metro area at different skill levels.

  2. 2
    Create Your Greenhouse Profile and Upload Your Resume

    Greenhouse will prompt you to create a candidate profile, upload your resume, and fill in basic contact and work history information. ATS roles are heavily technical, so ensure your resume is uploaded in a clean PDF or Word format that Greenhouse can parse correctly — especially your certifications, equipment experience, and technical skills sections. Double-check that parsed fields (job titles, dates, employer names) populated accurately before proceeding.

  3. 3
    Complete the Application Questionnaire

    Expect screening questions tailored to the specific role's requirements. For maintenance technician positions, these commonly cover topics like PLC experience, electrical voltage comfort levels, mechanical aptitude, shift availability, and willingness to work overtime. For business development or corporate roles, questions may focus on territory experience and industry knowledge. Answer thoroughly — these responses often serve as the first-pass filter for recruiters.

  4. 4
    Recruiter Phone Screen

    If your application passes initial screening, an ATS recruiter will typically reach out for a phone screen lasting 20-30 minutes. This conversation commonly focuses on verifying your technical background, confirming your availability for the required shift schedule, discussing your comfort with the specific client site environment, and gauging your salary expectations. Be prepared to discuss specific equipment brands and systems you've worked with.

  5. 5
    Technical Assessment or Skills Verification

    For skilled trades positions, ATS commonly incorporates a technical assessment to validate hands-on competencies. This may include written tests on electrical theory, mechanical systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, or PLC troubleshooting depending on the role level. Vibration analysis and calibration roles may involve more specialized evaluations. Treat this step seriously — technical competency is the core of what ATS delivers to its clients.

  6. 6
    On-Site or Video Interview with Hiring Manager

    The hiring manager interview typically dives deeper into your troubleshooting methodology, experience with preventive and predictive maintenance programs, and your ability to work within a team deployed at a client facility. Because you'll be representing ATS at a partner's manufacturing site, expect questions about professionalism, communication skills, and how you handle working within another company's culture while maintaining ATS standards.

  7. 7
    Background Check, Drug Screening, and Offer

    ATS works within regulated manufacturing environments, so expect a thorough background check and drug screening as standard pre-employment requirements. Some client sites may have additional security clearance or badging requirements. Once cleared, you'll receive a formal offer detailing compensation, benefits, shift schedule, and your assigned client site. Onboarding typically includes ATS-specific safety training alongside client site orientation.


Resume Tips for Advanced Technology Services

critical

Lead with Equipment and Systems Experience, Not Just Job Duties

ATS recruiters are scanning for specific technical competencies, not generic maintenance descriptions. Instead of writing 'Performed maintenance on production equipment,' specify the exact systems: 'Troubleshot and repaired Allen-Bradley PLC-controlled conveyor systems, Fanuc robotic welders, and Carrier HVAC units across a 500,000 sq ft automotive assembly facility.' This level of detail immediately signals your capability level and helps Greenhouse's keyword matching connect your experience to the role's requirements.

critical

Prominently Display Certifications and Licenses

Create a dedicated 'Certifications & Licenses' section near the top of your resume. ATS values credentials like Journeyman Electrician licenses, EPA 608 certification, OSHA 10/30, vibration analysis certifications (ISO Category I-IV), Six Sigma, and manufacturer-specific training (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Fanuc). These are high-value keywords in Greenhouse and serve as quick qualification validators for recruiters reviewing dozens of maintenance technician applications daily.

critical

Quantify Your Impact on Uptime and Reliability Metrics

ATS sells uptime and reliability to its manufacturing clients — your resume should speak this language. Include metrics like 'Reduced unplanned downtime by 22% through implementation of predictive maintenance schedules' or 'Maintained 97.5% equipment availability across 48 CNC machines.' If you've contributed to Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) improvements, Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) gains, or PM compliance rates, these numbers resonate powerfully with ATS hiring managers.

recommended

Match Your Resume Language to ATS Job Posting Terminology

Study the specific language used in ATS job postings and mirror it in your resume. If the posting says 'preventive maintenance' rather than 'preventative maintenance,' use their version. If they reference 'CMMS systems,' name the specific CMMS you've used (SAP PM, Maximo, MP2, eMaint). Greenhouse uses keyword matching, and aligning your terminology with the job description's exact phrasing increases your visibility in recruiter searches.

recommended

Highlight Multi-Trade Versatility Across Manufacturing Environments

ATS deploys technicians into diverse manufacturing settings — automotive, food and beverage, pharmaceutical, heavy industrial, and more. If you've worked across multiple manufacturing sectors or hold multi-trade skills (electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, welding), emphasize this breadth. A technician who can troubleshoot PLCs in the morning and repair a hydraulic press in the afternoon is exactly the profile ATS values for its varied client base.

recommended

Use Clean, ATS-Parseable Formatting

Greenhouse handles most standard resume formats well, but avoid tables, text boxes, headers/footers for critical information, and multi-column layouts that can confuse parsing algorithms. Use standard section headings like 'Work Experience,' 'Education,' 'Certifications,' and 'Technical Skills.' Stick to common fonts (Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman) and save as .pdf or .docx. Your contact information should be in the main body of the document, not in a header.

nice_to_have

Include Shift Flexibility and Travel Willingness

Many ATS positions require non-traditional shift work (second shift, third shift, rotating shifts, weekends) and some Field Service roles involve travel between client sites. If you're flexible on scheduling, state this explicitly — something like 'Available for all shifts including weekends and overtime' or 'Willing to travel up to 75% within the Midwest region.' This seemingly small detail can differentiate you from candidates who leave scheduling ambiguous.

nice_to_have

Add a Technical Skills Matrix for Quick Visual Scanning

Below your summary, include a compact skills matrix organized by category: Electrical (480V 3-phase, VFDs, motor controls, PLCs), Mechanical (bearings, gearboxes, power transmission, alignment), Instrumentation (calibration, vibration analysis, thermography), and Software (CMMS platforms, AutoCAD, HMI programming). This gives recruiters and Greenhouse's parsing engine a concentrated keyword-rich section that clearly communicates your technical breadth at a glance.



Interview Culture

Interviewing at Advanced Technology Services reflects the company's practical, skills-first culture.

Unlike tech companies that favor abstract brain teasers or lengthy whiteboard sessions, ATS interviews are grounded in real-world technical problem-solving and behavioral scenarios drawn from actual manufacturing environments. For maintenance technician and specialist roles, expect a two-to-three round process. The initial phone screen with a recruiter focuses on verifying your technical background, confirming logistical fit (location, shift, travel), and assessing basic communication skills. The second round typically involves a technical assessment — either a written test, a hands-on evaluation, or a detailed technical conversation with a hiring manager who understands the specific client site's equipment. You might be asked to walk through how you'd troubleshoot a motor that's tripping on overload, explain your approach to reading electrical schematics, or describe your experience with specific PLC programming environments. For corporate, business development, and supervisory roles, interviews tend to be more conversational but equally substantive. Expect questions about managing client relationships, driving KPI improvements, leading teams in fast-paced manufacturing settings, and navigating the dynamics of working as an embedded service provider within another company's facility. Culture fit matters significantly at ATS. Because technicians represent ATS while working at client sites, interviewers assess professionalism, adaptability, and interpersonal skills alongside technical chops. Questions like 'Describe a time you had to adapt to a new work environment quickly' or 'How do you handle a disagreement with a client's operations team?' are common. Safety is a core ATS value, so expect at least one question about your safety practices, your experience with lockout/tagout procedures, or how you've handled a safety concern on a prior job. Demonstrating a genuine safety mindset — not just textbook answers — signals strong cultural alignment. Dress appropriately for the role: business casual for corporate positions, clean and professional for technician interviews. Arrive prepared with specific examples from your career, and don't hesitate to ask questions about the client site environment, team structure, and growth opportunities within ATS.

What Advanced Technology Services Looks For

  • Demonstrated multi-trade technical skills spanning electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems — versatility is essential for serving diverse manufacturing clients
  • Strong troubleshooting methodology with the ability to diagnose root causes under time pressure, not just swap parts until something works
  • Safety-first mindset with practical knowledge of LOTO, arc flash awareness, confined space entry, and OSHA compliance — non-negotiable in manufacturing environments
  • Professionalism and communication skills that allow you to represent ATS positively while embedded within a client's facility and workforce
  • Adaptability and comfort with varied manufacturing environments — you may transition between automotive, food processing, and pharmaceutical settings throughout your career
  • Experience with CMMS platforms and data-driven maintenance approaches, including preventive and predictive maintenance programs
  • Relevant certifications and credentials (Journeyman license, EPA 608, vibration analysis, thermography, Six Sigma) that validate technical competency
  • Willingness to work flexible schedules including nights, weekends, and overtime as manufacturing operations demand

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the hiring process at Advanced Technology Services typically take?
Based on common patterns for industrial maintenance staffing companies of ATS's size, the process from application to offer typically takes two to four weeks for technician roles, though this can vary based on client site urgency and background check processing times. Phone screens are often scheduled within one to two weeks of application submission if your qualifications align well. Technical assessments and hiring manager interviews are commonly consolidated to minimize delays. If a client site has an urgent staffing need, the process may accelerate significantly — some candidates report moving from application to offer in under two weeks.
Do I need a specific degree to work at ATS as a maintenance technician?
Most ATS maintenance technician roles prioritize hands-on technical experience, certifications, and trade school education over four-year degrees. An associate degree in industrial maintenance, mechatronics, or electrical technology is commonly valued, as are completed apprenticeships and Journeyman certifications. However, candidates with strong work experience and relevant certifications but no formal degree are regularly considered — the technical assessment and interview are where you prove your capability. For senior or supervisory roles like Calibration Supervisor, additional education or management experience may be preferred.
What should I include in a cover letter when applying to ATS?
While Greenhouse makes cover letters optional for many ATS postings, submitting one can differentiate your application, especially for competitive roles like Business Development Executive or supervisory positions. Focus your cover letter on three things: your specific technical expertise relevant to the role, your experience working in or adapting to diverse manufacturing environments (since ATS deploys to varied client sites), and your alignment with ATS's mission of maximizing client uptime and equipment reliability. Keep it concise — three to four paragraphs maximum — and reference the specific job title and location. For technician roles, a strong resume typically carries more weight than a cover letter.
What is it like working at a client site rather than an ATS office?
This is one of the most distinctive aspects of working for ATS. You'll report daily to a manufacturing facility owned and operated by an ATS client, working alongside that company's production staff while remaining an ATS employee with ATS benefits and management. Many employees describe this as the best of both worlds — you gain exposure to diverse manufacturing operations and equipment without the instability of contract work, since ATS provides full-time employment with benefits. The key adjustment is navigating two organizational cultures simultaneously, which requires strong interpersonal skills and professionalism. Your ATS supervisor will typically check in regularly even though you're physically located at the client site.
Does ATS offer career advancement opportunities for technicians?
ATS commonly promotes from within and offers structured career progression paths for technical staff. A typical trajectory might move from Equipment Maintenance Technician II to Senior Maintenance Technician, then into specialized roles like Vibration Analysis Specialist or Calibration Supervisor, and potentially into site leadership or regional management positions. The company is known for investing in employee development through training programs, certification sponsorship, and cross-training on new equipment and technologies. If you're motivated to advance, make this clear during your interview — ATS tends to value technicians who view maintenance as a career, not just a job.
How should I prepare for the technical assessment at ATS?
Technical assessments at ATS commonly cover core industrial maintenance competencies including electrical theory (Ohm's law, series/parallel circuits, motor controls, 480V 3-phase systems), mechanical fundamentals (bearings, gear ratios, belt drives, alignment), hydraulics and pneumatics basics, and PLC troubleshooting logic. Review ladder logic diagrams, electrical schematic reading, and basic instrumentation principles. The assessment level typically matches the role tier — a Technician II position will test differently than a Senior Technician or Specialist role. Refresh your knowledge of safety procedures, particularly lockout/tagout, as safety questions are commonly included. If the job posting mentions specific systems like Allen-Bradley or Siemens PLCs, prioritize reviewing those platforms.
Can I apply to multiple ATS positions at the same time?
Greenhouse allows you to submit applications to multiple openings, but a targeted approach is strongly recommended. ATS recruiters can see all positions you've applied to in the system, and applying to five or six unrelated roles can suggest you're unfocused about what you want. Instead, identify the one or two positions that most closely match your skill level and preferred location, and craft your application specifically for those roles. If you're genuinely qualified for multiple positions at different client sites in your area, it's reasonable to apply to two or three — just ensure each application is tailored to that specific posting's requirements.
Does ATS hire entry-level candidates or only experienced technicians?
ATS hires across multiple experience levels, as evidenced by their tiered job title structure — from Crib Attendant (parts management, often entry-level) through Equipment Maintenance Technician II to Senior Maintenance Technician and specialized roles. Entry-level candidates with trade school education, military technical training, or completed apprenticeships are commonly considered for Technician I and II roles. Crib Attendant positions can serve as a foot in the door for candidates transitioning into industrial maintenance. If you're early in your career, emphasize your training, any internship or co-op experience, your eagerness to learn, and your foundational certifications in your application.
What benefits does ATS typically offer its employees?
While specific benefits packages can vary and should be confirmed during the offer stage, ATS is generally known for providing competitive compensation with benefits that include health insurance, dental and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, paid time off, and life insurance. A distinguishing benefit many employees highlight is ATS's investment in ongoing technical training and certification programs — the company frequently sponsors employees to obtain new certifications that enhance both their value to clients and their long-term career prospects. Some roles may also include tool allowances, boot stipends, or other trade-specific perks. Ask your recruiter for the complete benefits summary during the phone screen stage.

Sample Open Positions

Check Your Resume Before Applying → View 126 open positions at Advanced Technology Services

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Sources

  1. Advanced Technology Services — Careers Page — Advanced Technology Services
  2. Advanced Technology Services Company Reviews and Ratings — Glassdoor
  3. Advanced Technology Services — About Us — Advanced Technology Services
  4. Greenhouse Applicant Tracking System — How It Works — Greenhouse Software