The Maintenance Technician is responsible for performing preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, and installation of industrial production equipment and facility systems within a USDA/FDA-regulated food manufacturing environment. This position supports continuous plant operations by minimizing downtime, maintaining equipment reliability, and ensuring compliance with food safety, GMP, HACCP, SQF, and CAL/OSHA requirements.
The Maintenance Technician will work closely with production, sanitation, quality assurance, and operations teams to maintain safe and efficient manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities:
Perform preventive maintenance and emergency repairs on production and facility equipment.
• Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and conveyor systems.
• Maintain and repair industrial equipment including motors, pumps, compressors, conveyors, gearboxes, valves, packaging machines, and processing equipment.
• Install, troubleshoot, and repair PLCs, VFDs, electrical controls, sensors, relays, and AC/DC motors.
• Diagnose equipment failures and perform corrective actions to reduce production downtime.
• Read and interpret blueprints, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, equipment manuals, and work orders.
• Perform equipment inspections and identify potential maintenance or safety issues before breakdowns occur.
• Fabricate or modify parts and components as needed to support repairs and operational improvements.
Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance:
• Support compliance with USDA, FDA, HACCP, SQF, GMP, and food safety requirements.
• Follow lockout/tagout procedures and all plant safety policies.
• Maintain clean, organized, and sanitary maintenance work areas.
• Ensure maintenance work does not compromise product safety, quality, or sanitation standards.
• Assist during audits, inspections, and corrective action activities related to maintenance operations.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in USDA/FDA-regulated food manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of GMPs, HACCP, SQF, and food safety programs.
• Experience with ammonia refrigeration support systems and compressed air systems preferred.
• Forklift, scissor lift, or aerial lift certification is a plus.
• Welding and fabrication experience preferred.
Physical Requirements:
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, kneel, climb, and work around moving machinery for extended periods.
• Ability to work in cold, wet, humid, hot, and noisy production environments.
• Ability to safely work from ladders, lifts, and elevated platforms.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and regularly lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work overtime, weekends, and emergency call-ins as operational needs require.
Requirements:
• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3–5 years of maintenance experience in manufacturing or food processing environment preferred.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting experience required.
• Experience troubleshooting and repairing:
• PLC systems
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
• AC/DC motors
• Pneumatic systems
• Hydraulic systems
• Conveyor systems
• Packaging and processing equipment
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, blueprints, and technical manuals.
• Working knowledge of industrial maintenance practices, tools, and preventive maintenance systems.
• Basic computer skills including Microsoft Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Work Environment:
• Food manufacturing facility with exposure to raw materials, allergens, sanitation chemicals, refrigeration systems, and industrial processing equipment.
• Requires strict adherence to food safety, sanitation, PPE, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
• May require off-shift, weekend, or holiday work based on production schedules and maintenance needs.
