Maintenance Mechanic

Maintenance Mechanic

This role supports a culture and packaging department in an indoor dairy production facility, focusing on maintaining and troubleshooting automated processing and packaging equipment. The Maintenance Mechanic works on a 10-hour shift schedule, ensuring reliable operation of machinery such as fillers, case packers, labelers, palletizers, and related process equipment used in dairy manufacturing.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair dairy processing and packaging equipment, including fillers, packers, case packers, labelers, and palletizers.
• Support the culture department by ensuring equipment used in cottage cheese and related products operates safely, efficiently, and within process specifications.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical and low-voltage electrical issues on automated process lines to minimize downtime and maintain production schedules.
• Perform preventive maintenance on separators, clarifiers, variable frequency drives (VFDs), and other process flow equipment to extend equipment life and improve reliability.
• Configure, monitor, and troubleshoot VFDs, including PowerFlex 525 and 755 units, to ensure proper motor control and process performance.
• Inspect equipment regularly, identify potential failures or safety risks, and take corrective action to prevent unplanned outages.
• Collaborate with production and operations teams to coordinate maintenance activities and support smooth changeovers and line startups.
• Document maintenance activities, repairs, and parts usage accurately to support maintenance planning and continuous improvement.
• Follow established safety procedures and best practices while working on electrical and mechanical systems in a dairy production environment.
• Assist in process flow troubleshooting, including tracing product and utility lines, to identify bottlenecks and improve system performance.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience as a maintenance mechanic or maintenance technician in a dairy or closely related food processing environment.
• Proficiency in troubleshooting and repairing mechanical systems on automated processing and packaging lines.
• Practical low-voltage electrical experience, including working with sensors, controls, and automated equipment.
• Experience working with case packers, labelers, palletizers, fillers, and packers in a production setting.
• Ability to troubleshoot and maintain VFDs, specifically PowerFlex 525 or PowerFlex 755 drives.
• Experience with separators, clarifiers, and process flow equipment used in dairy processing.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across electrical, mechanical, and automation components.
• Demonstrated ability to perform preventive maintenance and follow structured maintenance programs.
• Capability to work effectively as a level 2 technician, handling intermediate to advanced maintenance tasks independently.
• Comfort working in an automated process environment with a focus on reliability and uptime.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior experience in a culture department or cottage cheese production environment.
• Experience in a packaging department, including exposure to automated case packing and labeling systems.
• Familiarity with dairy industry standards and practices for processing and packaging.
• Ability to read and interpret equipment manuals, diagrams, and process documentation.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with production, quality, and other maintenance team members.
• Attention to detail and a methodical approach to troubleshooting and repair.
• Willingness to work a structured shift schedule that includes evenings and alternating weekends.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers the opportunity to work with modern automated dairy processing and packaging technology in a stable production environment. Team members benefit from a structured schedule that includes a full weekend off every other week, supporting work-life balance. The culture emphasizes safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement, giving maintenance professionals the chance to expand their technical skills while contributing directly to consistent product quality and operational reliability.

Work Environment

This role is based in an indoor dairy production facility that operates automated processing and packaging lines. The position follows a 10-hour shift schedule with Mondays and Tuesdays off, working from 2:00 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and includes one full weekend off (Saturday and Sunday) every other week. The environment involves working around dairy processing equipment such as separators, clarifiers, fillers, case packers, labelers, palletizers, and VFD-driven motors. You will work in a production floor setting with typical dairy plant conditions, including exposure to moisture, cleaning chemicals, and varying temperatures associated with food manufacturing. The role requires appropriate industrial attire and personal protective equipment suitable for a dairy processing facility.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Tulare, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.82 - $36.65/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 30, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Tulare, CA.