Maintenance Mechanic

Job Title: Maintenance Mechanic

Job Description

The Maintenance Mechanic will focus primarily on welding, sanitary welding, and fabrication while also performing industrial maintenance duties in a yeast and fermentation manufacturing environment. This role maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs production equipment such as fermentation vessels, utilities, rotating equipment, and downstream separation and packaging assets. The position supports safe, efficient, and compliant operations under GMP and food-safety standards, minimizing downtime and ensuring consistent product quality.

Responsibilities

• Perform welding, sanitary welding, and fabrication work, including MIG, TIG, and stick welding, with a focus on stainless and sanitary piping and components.

• Transition from welding and fabrication tasks to general maintenance duties as needed to support production operations.

• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on fermentation and downstream equipment, including fermenters/bioreactors, transfer pumps, positive displacement pumps, valves, homogenizers, decanters/centrifuges, heat exchangers, air compressors, vacuum systems, and packaging lines such as conveyors, wrappers, and fillers.

• Service utilities critical to yeast production, including steam and boiler systems, condensate, clean and plant water, CIP supply and return, process air, CO₂ venting and abatement, and chilled or glycol loops.

• Inspect, align, and rebuild rotating equipment such as bearings, seals, couplings, and gearboxes, and perform precision shaft alignment and balancing.

• Support CIP (Clean-in-Place) and SIP (Steam-in-Place) readiness by verifying spray ball coverage, valve actuation, temperature, time and flow targets, gasket integrity, and leak tightness.

• Diagnose mechanical failures using root cause techniques and replace worn parts such as seals, gaskets, belts, chains, and sprockets, while correcting piping and mechanical fit-ups to meet 3A and ASME sanitary standards where applicable.

• Read and interpret P&IDs, OEM manuals, schematics, exploded views, and equipment specifications to plan and execute maintenance and repair work.

• Collaborate with controls and electrical engineering teams on issues involving PLCs, VFDs, sensors, and instrumentation, applying basic electrical and mechatronic aptitude.

• Use precision measuring tools, rigging and hoisting equipment, alignment tools, and torque procedures to complete mechanical work safely and accurately.

• Apply strong safety practices including lockout/tagout, confined space protocols, proper use of PPE, and safe handling of chemicals and caustics used in CIP processes.

• Document maintenance activities and follow maintenance procedures while using a CMMS to record work orders, parts usage, and equipment history.

• Support operations in a food and fermentation manufacturing setting, adhering to GMP and food-safety requirements and maintaining a clean, compliant work area.

• Work overtime as needed, including some weekends and Sundays, to support production demands and respond to urgent maintenance needs.

Essential Skills

• At least 3+ years of experience as an industrial or mechanical maintenance technician in food and beverage, fermentation, chemicals, or process manufacturing.

• Proficiency with pumps, valves, pneumatics, hydraulics, conveyors, gearboxes, steam systems, and heat exchangers.

• Hands-on experience performing preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on production and utility equipment.

• Experience with sanitary and aseptic piping, tri-clamp fittings, gaskets, and basic sanitary welding or fitting.

• Proficiency in MIG, TIG, and stick welding, with the ability to perform sanitary welding and fabrication on stainless steel and process piping.

• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, OEM manuals, schematics, exploded views, and equipment specifications.

• Comfort using a CMMS to follow and document maintenance procedures and work orders.

• Hands-on skills with precision measuring tools such as calipers and micrometers, as well as alignment tools and torque procedures.

• Basic rigging and hoisting skills for moving and installing equipment safely.

• Strong safety track record including lockout/tagout, confined space awareness, appropriate use of PPE, and safe chemical handling for CIP processes.

• Physical ability to lift up to 50 lbs, work in wet, outdoor, or warm environments near CIP and steam systems, climb ladders, and stand for extended periods.

• Basic electrical troubleshooting capabilities, including work with 24VDC sensors, proximity switches, solenoids, and VFD parameter checks.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in yeast or fermentation operations, including fermenters, aeration systems, and CIP/SIP cycles.

• Prior experience in a food manufacturing environment regulated by FDA or similar standards.

• Experience with boilers and cooling towers, including knowledge of steam traps and condensate return systems.

• Boiler operator experience or license.

• Exposure to ammonia refrigeration systems or chilled-water systems and awareness of process safety management (PSM) principles.

• Welding and fabrication experience with TIG welding on stainless steel and sanitary welds, and familiarity with basic machining.

• Collaboration experience with controls and electrical engineering teams on PLCs, VFDs, sensors, and instrumentation.

• Certifications such as OSHA-10 or OSHA-30, Confined Space, Aerial Lift, Forklift, Lockout/Tagout, and First Aid/CPR.

• Experience working in GMP, food-safety, or highly regulated production environments.

• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and support multiple maintenance tasks in a dynamic production setting.

Why Work Here?

You will join a stable, process-driven manufacturing environment that invests in its people and their long-term success. The organization offers a 401(k) program with a competitive match, accrued vacation starting on day one, and comprehensive benefits to support your overall well-being. You will have access to an employee assistance program, shoe vouchers, and tool allowances to help you perform your work safely and effectively. The culture emphasizes employee appreciation and recognition, creating a supportive atmosphere where your technical skills and contributions are valued and rewarded.

Work Environment

This role operates on a 1st shift schedule, typically from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with 5 to 10 hours of overtime available per week and the expectation of some Saturday and Sunday overtime when needed. The majority of the work area is temperature-controlled and comfortable within a food manufacturing environment that has a distinct yeast smell, which can be sour and may linger on clothing. Certain areas, such as a cold room and a chiller room, can be very cold or very hot, although time spent in these zones is limited. The overall environment is ambient and loud, with wet floors, caustic and acid cleaners, steam, and other typical conditions of a food and fermentation manufacturing facility regulated under production and FDA standards. Work may involve different shifts, weekends, and on-call coverage as required by operations. Required PPE includes safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, slip-resistant boots, and, as needed, chemical aprons and face shields. The setting combines industrial equipment, utilities, and process systems, requiring consistent adherence to safety procedures and dress code expectations appropriate for a regulated food and fermentation plant.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of MEMPHIS, TN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $52000.00 - $66560.00/yr.

Company Benefits 401k - 6% match PTO - accrued vacation, starting day 1 (this is based on INDUSTRY years experience) benefits employee assistance shoe voucher tool allowance employee appreciation days

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in MEMPHIS,TN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.