Maintenance Tech

Maintenance Technician – Food Manufacturing (Burrito Production)Location: Vernon, CA Shift: Early morning / day / weekend flexibility required Pay Range: Competitive hourly pay + overtime (DOE)The Maintenance Technician is responsible for hands-on troubleshooting, repair, and preventive maintenance of production and packaging equipment in a high-volume frozen burrito manufacturing facility. This role requires strong mechanical aptitude, welding and fabrication skills, and experience working on conveyors, ovens, fillers, and automated packaging equipment.This is a floor-based, hands-on role supporting continuous production in a fast-paced USDA-regulated environment.Key ResponsibilitiesEquipment Troubleshooting & RepairTroubleshoot and repair packaging equipment, including:Horizontal form-and-seal machinesFillers and portioning equipmentConveyors, transfer systems, and accumulation tablesPerform repairs on ovens, kettles, and heating systems used in burrito production.Diagnose mechanical, pneumatic, and basic electrical issues impacting production uptime.Respond quickly to line stoppages and production breakdowns.Welding & Fabrication (Critical Requirement)Perform MIG/TIG welding and basic fabrication to repair:Conveyor frames and supportsGuards, brackets, chutes, and structural componentsOven and filler-related hardwareModify and fabricate parts to improve reliability, safety, and performance.Read basic drawings or fabricate from measurements as needed.Conveyor & Material Handling SystemsMaintain and repair:Belt conveyorsOverhead conveyorsChain and roller conveyorsAdjust tracking, tension, bearings, sprockets, and drive components.Identify root causes of recurring conveyor failures and recommend improvements.Preventive MaintenancePerform scheduled PMs on:Packaging linesOvens and fillersConveyors and motorsPneumatic systemsDocument completed work accurately in the CMMS.Identify worn or failing components before breakdowns occur.Food Safety, Safety & ComplianceFollow USDA, GMP, and food safety requirements during all maintenance activities.Maintain proper sanitation, tool control, and foreign material prevention.Follow Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), PPE, and safe work practices at all times.Work closely with QA and Sanitation teams during repairs and startups.Team & Shift SupportWork closely with production operators, leads, and supervisors.Communicate clearly with maintenance leadership regarding issues, repairs, and recommendations.Support weekend or off-shift work as required for PMs, repairs, or production support.Qualifications & SkillsRequired3+ years of experience as a Maintenance Technician / Industrial Mechanic in food or manufacturing.Strong welding and fabrication skills (MIG/TIG preferred).Proven experience troubleshooting packaging equipment and conveyor systems.Experience working on ovens, fillers, or cooking equipment.Strong mechanical skills (bearings, chains, sprockets, gearboxes, drives).Ability to read basic schematics, manuals, and drawings.Ability to work in cold (freezer) and hot (oven) environments.PreferredExperience in frozen food or USDA-regulated facilities.Basic electrical troubleshooting (sensors, motors, VFD fault identification).Pneumatic and hydraulic system experience.Bilingual English/Spanish a plus.CMMS experience.Physical & Work EnvironmentMust be able to lift up to 50 lbs.Frequent standing, bending, climbing, and working around moving equipment.Exposure to cold, heat, wet environments, and production noise.Why Join UsStable, high-volume production environmentHands-on role with real impact on uptimeOpportunities for overtime and skill growthWork on complex food production and packaging equipmentBe part of a team that values reliability, safety, and craftsmanship