Maintenance Technician

Maintenance TechnicianThe Maintenance Technician supports safe, efficient, and reliable operation of production equipment in a food manufacturing plant by performing mechanical and electrical troubleshooting, repairs, and preventive maintenance. This role works hands-on with a wide range of machinery, uses basic PLC troubleshooting skills, and collaborates closely with the maintenance team to minimize downtime and maintain high standards of safety and cleanliness.ResponsibilitiesPerform basic PLC troubleshooting to support efficient operation and quick recovery from equipment faults.Diagnose and repair mechanical and electrical issues on production equipment, ensuring minimal downtime.Install, inspect, maintain, and repair mechanical equipment such as pumps, compressors, filling equipment, case packers, and labelers.Read and interpret mechanical drawings, prints, and sketches to understand machine design and plan repairs or modifications.Work from oral and written instructions to plan tasks, take field measurements, and create workable sketches for parts and assemblies.Prepare accurate parts lists and purchase requisitions to support timely maintenance and repair activities.Create clear, complete, and concise reports and maintain records of all work performed and equipment inspections.Assist in preparing work schedules and coordinating maintenance activities with the broader maintenance team.Use common rigging methods to safely handle and move heavy equipment or machine components.Check and verify working loads on ropes, chains, and cables used in rigging to ensure safe lifting and handling.Dismantle, inspect, repair, and reassemble standard machines and equipment, including cam-driven machinery.Analyze wear, timing issues, and other mechanical problems to identify root causes and implement effective solutions.Reassemble and set machines to operate correctly, making precise mechanical adjustments as needed.Recognize mechanical defects in machines and equipment by touch, sight, and sound to detect issues early.Operate shop tools and equipment such as lathes, drill presses, and shapers to perform repairs and fabricate simple parts.Use precision measuring tools, including calipers, feeler gauges, and micrometers, to maintain tight tolerances down to 0.001 inches where required.Wire and troubleshoot three-phase motors and related electrical components.Safely work with electrical systems up to 480 volts, following appropriate safety practices and plant procedures.Read and use electrical meters to test, verify, and diagnose electrical conditions and faults.Work with gearboxes and pumps, including inspection, maintenance, and repair.Perform preventive maintenance tasks on mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and refrigeration systems to reduce unplanned downtime.Collaborate with the maintenance team and production personnel to prioritize work and support continuous plant operations.Follow all plant safety, cleanliness, and food manufacturing standards while performing maintenance tasks.Carry out other maintenance-related duties and tasks as assigned.Essential SkillsBasic PLC troubleshooting experience.Mechanical troubleshooting experience on production and packaging equipment.Electrical troubleshooting experience, including working with up to 480 volts.Ability to install, inspect, maintain, and repair mechanical equipment such as pumps, compressors, filling equipment, case packers, and labelers.Proficiency in reading and interpreting mechanical drawings, prints, and sketches.Ability to take field measurements and create workable sketches for maintenance and fabrication tasks.Experience using rigging methods to safely move heavy equipment and machine parts.Skill in dismantling, inspecting, repairing, and reassembling standard machines and cam-driven equipment.Ability to analyze wear, timing, and other mechanical problems and implement corrective actions.Proficiency in operating shop tools such as lathes, drill presses, and shapers.Ability to fabricate simple parts using standard shop equipment.Proficient use of precision measuring instruments, including calipers, feeler gauges, and micrometers, to achieve tolerances of 0.001 inches where required.Experience wiring and troubleshooting three-phase motors.Ability to read and use electrical meters for testing and diagnostics.Hands-on experience working with gearboxes and pumps.Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration, and general maintenance systems.Ability to prepare clear reports, parts lists, and records of work performed.Capability to follow written and verbal instructions and maintain accurate documentation.Additional Skills & QualificationsExperience performing preventive maintenance in a production or manufacturing environment.Experience in maintenance within a food manufacturing or similarly regulated, cleanliness-focused environment.Comfort working as part of a larger maintenance team and coordinating work with others.Strong attention to detail and safety awareness in all maintenance activities.Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and support scheduling of maintenance activities.Why Work Here?You will join an established maintenance team in a modern food manufacturing facility where safety, cleanliness, and quality are top priorities. The environment encourages hands-on learning, collaboration, and the opportunity to work on a wide variety of mechanical and electrical systems. You can expand your technical skills, contribute directly to reliable plant operations, and be part of a team that values professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.Work EnvironmentThis role is entirely plant-based, working on the production floor of a food manufacturing facility where safety and cleanliness standards are strictly maintained. You will work alongside a maintenance team of approximately 23 people, collaborating closely to support continuous operations. The position involves regular use of industrial machinery, shop tools, and precision measuring equipment, as well as work with mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration, and packaging systems. The environment requires adherence to all plant safety and sanitation procedures. Steel-toe footwear is required, and other necessary personal protective equipment is provided. The work is hands-on and may involve standing, walking, climbing, and handling heavy components as part of rigging and equipment repair activities.Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Birmingham, AL.Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $29.00 - $30.00/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)