Lead Maintenance Mechanic

Job Title: Maintenance Mechanic
Job Description
This role leads and supports a team of maintenance technicians in a food manufacturing facility, ensuring equipment reliability, safe operations, and compliance with strict quality and safety standards. You will balance preventive and reactive maintenance, troubleshoot complex mechanical and electrical issues, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within a growing, investment-focused operation.
Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the workflow of Maintenance Technicians on shift, providing hands-on support and technical guidance as needed.
• Perform preventive maintenance tasks on production and facility equipment, ensuring accurate completion of all related documentation in the CMMS.
• Diagnose and repair malfunctioning equipment using a structured "final task" methodology to ensure durable, long-term solutions.
• Execute equipment upgrades, modifications, and new equipment installations to support production needs and process improvements.
• Provide timely assistance to line and machine operators to minimize downtime and maintain efficient production.
• Prepare and maintain essential documentation and conduct research to support root cause analysis of equipment failures and recurring issues.
• Affirm and uphold the maintenance department's role in HACCP procedures and collaborate with other departments to maintain food safety standards.
• Assess and respond effectively in an ever-changing production environment, adjusting priorities as needed to support operations.
• Support high-speed packaging equipment, mechanical power transmission systems, and facility support equipment through troubleshooting and repair.
• Utilize computer-based systems, including CMMS on an iPad, to receive, manage, and close work orders accurately and on time.
• Apply mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and welding skills to maintain and improve equipment performance.
• Communicate clearly with coworkers, supervisors, and other departments regarding equipment status, maintenance needs, and safety concerns.
• Follow Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and site-specific hygiene and safety procedures at all times while performing maintenance activities.
• Participate in training during assigned mid-shift hours and transition to the regular second shift schedule upon completion of training.

Essential Skills

• 5-7 years of experience as a full-time maintenance mechanic or in a closely related maintenance role, preferably in a food manufacturing environment.
• Two-year technical degree in a maintenance-related field, or equivalent technical school training, certified courses, or related experience, plus a high school diploma or GED.
• Demonstrated mechanical and basic electrical ability, including troubleshooting and repair of production equipment.
• Hands-on experience with preventive and corrective maintenance in an industrial setting.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems.
• Experience with high-speed packaging equipment and mechanical power transmission components.
• Ability to perform welding tasks as required for maintenance and repair.
• Experience with facility support equipment and related systems.
• Ability to use a CMMS and demonstrate general computer literacy, including working with iPads or similar devices for work orders.
• Strong ability to lead and coordinate coworkers, including directing tasks and supporting a team environment.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills to interact with operators, technicians, and leadership.
• Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals in English, and to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Basic math skills, including the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals, and to compute rate, ratio, and percent.
• Ability to interpret bar graphs and apply common-sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to remain calm, maintain presence of mind under stressful conditions, adapt to change, and work well with others.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Demonstrated work experience in a food manufacturing environment, including familiarity with HACCP procedures.
• Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) experience.
• Experience with PLC troubleshooting is highly beneficial.
• Prior exposure to welding in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Experience supporting high-speed packaging lines and multiple production rooms.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

Why Work Here?
You join a growing operation that invests heavily in its facilities and people, offering a smaller-company feel with the backing of a larger global organization. The company emphasizes hands-on training, promotes from within, and values employees' contributions and development. You benefit from a wide variety of benefit plans to choose from, a 401(k) with a 6% match, three weeks of paid time off, and 11 paid holidays, supporting both your financial security and work-life balance.
Work Environment
This is a food manufacturing environment where strict Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and hygiene standards apply. The role is primarily on second shift, working Monday through Thursday from 1:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with occasional extension to 12:30 a.m. for shutdown activities. Overtime is available on Fridays and Saturdays, typically for 8-hour shifts. The standard workweek is 40 hours, with approximately 20-25 hours dedicated to preventive maintenance and the remainder focused on reactive maintenance. Training will take place on a mid-shift schedule (such as 9:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m., 10:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m., or 11:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m.) for 2-6 weeks, depending on individual learning pace. The facility includes eight production rooms and four packaging lines, and maintenance activities support both production and packaging operations. Tools are provided by the company, and work orders are managed through a CMMS using an iPad. Dress code follows GMP requirements, including wearing a uniform, hair net, beard net (if applicable), and safety shoes. Team members must wash and sanitize hands and sanitize boots before entering the floor and before entering each room, reflecting a strong focus on cleanliness, food safety, and personal protective equipment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Elk Grove Village, IL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $34.00 - $39.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Elk Grove Village,IL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jun 29, 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.