2nd Shift Ammonia Refrigeration Technician

Maintenance Technician Ammonia Refrigeration & Facilities

The Maintenance Technician Ammonia Refrigeration & Facilities - 2nd Shift will support Harvest Food Group's production operations by ensuring the safe, compliant, and efficient operation of industrial ammonia refrigeration and facility utility systems within a food manufacturing environment. This role is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, troubleshooting, and optimizing refrigeration, HVAC, boiler, compressed air, and related building systems critical to food safety, product quality, and operational continuity. This position requires a strong technical aptitude to manage both software and hardware aspects of industrial automation while ensuring compliance with safety and food quality regulations, such as GMPs and HACCP. The position requires strong mechanical, electrical, and refrigeration technical expertise, with a proactive focus on preventive maintenance, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement. Strict adherence to OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM), EPA Risk Management Program (RMP), GMPs, HACCP, SQF, USDA/FDA standards, and internal safety protocols is essential.

Ammonia Refrigeration Operations: Operate, monitor continuously, troubleshoot, and maintain industrial ammonia refrigeration systems including compressors, condensers, evaporators, pumps, vessels, valves, piping systems, and alarm/detection systems. Perform system walkdowns, monitor trend data, and respond to operational deviations.

Preventive Maintenance & Inspections: Conduct scheduled inspections and planned preventive maintenance (PMs) including oil analysis, water chemistry testing, leak detection, filter replacements, belt adjustments, and operational checks, as well as other necessary requirements, on machinery to foresee potential problems and ensure equipment longevity. Maintain accurate PM records and documentation.

Facility Utility Systems Support: Maintain and troubleshoot HVAC systems, boilers, compressed air systems, wastewater support equipment, fire protection systems, heat trace systems, and related infrastructure. Support production uptime by ensuring facility utilities operate reliably.

Troubleshooting & Repair: Diagnose and repair complex electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, refrigeration equipment and control system issues to minimize production downtime while maintaining safety and product integrity.

Documentation & Compliance: Maintain accurate documentation of all maintenance activities, software changes, electrical and ammonia refrigeration schematics. Ensure all work aligns with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR standards, GMPs (Good Manufacturing Practices), and food safety standards including HACCP, SQF and USDA/FDA regulations. Complete work orders, SOP updates, inspection reports, and safety documentation within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).

System Installation & Commissioning: Collaborate with engineers, safety and production teams to install new equipment and control systems, including field commissioning and startup procedures.

Continuous Improvement & Reliability: Monitor system efficiency, identify equipment reliability risks, analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), and propose modifications or upgrades to existing automation to improve processes and identify cost-saving initiatives. Participate in capital projects, equipment upgrades, and system optimization efforts.

PLC/HMI Programming: Design, write, test, and implement PLC programs (e.g., Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, CompactLogix) and HMI/SCADA software (e.g., Wonderware) that meet production needs.

Training & Support: Provide training and technical support to operations and other maintenance personnel on automated systems and new equipment operations.

Contractor Coordination & Projects: Support installation, startup, and commissioning of new refrigeration and utility equipment. Ensure contractors adhere to Harvest Food Group safety and food safety standards.

Emergency Response & Safety: Promptly respond to refrigeration system alarms, ammonia releases, or facility utility emergencies. Participate in HazMat response and safety programs as required.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Maintenance, Safety, Production, Quality Assurance, Sanitation, and Engineering teams to support operational excellence and regulatory compliance.

Education: A technical diploma or relevant certification in industrial maintenance, HVAC/R, industrial refrigeration, mechanical or electrical systems required. RETA Certification (CARO or CIRO) required.

Experience: Prior experience of 2-5+ years in a manufacturing or industrial maintenance facility with hands-on experience in ammonia refrigeration systems is required.

Technical Expertise: Strong working knowledge of industrial ammonia refrigeration systems and supporting utilities required. Proficiency in electrical troubleshooting capabilities including motor controls, PLC interfaces, programming, setup, troubleshooting and instrumentation is essential. Strong electrical knowledge and the ability to read and interpret technical diagrams and manuals, schematics, and blueprints is also required.

Industry Knowledge: A solid understanding of food processing equipment, such as HTST, CIP systems, conveyors, pumps, and packaging machinery, is highly beneficial. Cold storage, distribution, or industrial processing helpful. Understanding of GMPs, sanitation requirements, and food safety controls preferred.

Physical Demands: Ability to work in a refrigerated food manufacturing environment (which may involve exposure to temperature extremes or dust), mechanical rooms, rooftops, confined spaces, and perform physical tasks, including lifting up to 50-75 pounds and standing for extended periods.

Preferred: Experience in food or beverage manufacturing is a significant advantage. Experience working within PSM/RMP regulated environments highly desirable Bilingual English and Spanish a plus Familiarity with CMMS systems and maintenance documentation practices strongly preferred.

Benefits: 401(k) matching Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance