Manufacturing Maintenance Lead

Job Description

Job Description

BrightFarms is The Place to Grow!

At BrightFarms, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the way leafy greens are grown. But we don’t just want to grow great tasting greens, we want them to do good as well: for the planet, for the health of people, and for the well-being of our employees. We give BrightFarmers the tools, training, support, and opportunities they need to do better for themselves and the world every day. Because when you do good for your people, they do good for the world. 

BrightFarms is a national leader in the booming indoor farming industry, transforming how produce is grown and delivered with its expanding network of eight high-tech, sustainable hydroponic farms.  From seed to leaf we grow lettuce smarter, with less space, no pesticides and protected inside, so it’s better for the planet and way better for humans. BrightFarms' fresh lettuce options, from classic greens to crunchy mixes and salad kits, are available in more than 4,500 retail stores across the East Coast, Midwest, and South.

Our Lorena, Texas farm is the largest and most advanced greenhouse in the state, delivering fresh, locally grown leafy greens to Texans year-round. Spanning nearly 480,000 square feet, this facility will produce approximately 6 million pounds of leafy greens annually.

Maintenance Technician IV/Lead

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and dependable Maintenance Technician IV/Lead to oversee day-to-day maintenance activities, troubleshoot equipment and facility issues, and provide hands-on leadership to the maintenance team. This position is responsible for maintaining safe, reliable, and efficient operations while coordinating preventive and corrective maintenance.

The ideal candidate will have strong electrical troubleshooting and PLC controls experience, with the ability to diagnose and repair automated equipment and control systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, coordinate, and prioritize daily maintenance activities and work orders.
• Perform hands-on mechanical, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and general facility repairs as needed.
• Troubleshoot and repair electrical systems, motor controls, sensors, VFDs, relays, contactors, and control panels.
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and modify PLC-controlled equipment and automated systems.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, ladder logic, and equipment documentation.
• Troubleshoot PLC inputs/outputs, sensors, actuators, communication issues, and control-system faults.
• Assist with PLC programming, parameter adjustments, and system modifications as required.
• Schedule and complete preventive maintenance to reduce equipment downtime and extend equipment life.
• Train, coach, and mentor maintenance technicians on electrical systems, PLC controls, troubleshooting techniques, equipment operation, and safe work practices.
• Develop and provide hands-on training to maintenance team members and machine operators, helping build their technical skills and improve their ability to diagnose and resolve equipment issues independently.
• Monitor maintenance work to ensure quality, safety, and compliance with company procedures.
• Maintain accurate records of repairs, inspections, parts, PLC changes, and preventive maintenance activities.
• Coordinate with operations, production, engineering, and management to address maintenance needs and minimize downtime.
• Support equipment installations, upgrades, electrical projects, and automation improvements.
• Maintain an appropriate inventory of tools, electrical components, controls parts, and replacement equipment.
• Coordinate with contractors and outside service providers when necessary.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with OSHA, electrical safety requirements, company policies, and applicable regulations.
• Respond to emergency maintenance situations and equipment breakdowns as needed.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability, automation, maintenance processes, and operating efficiency.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe maintenance work area.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certification, electrical training, or associate degree preferred.
• 7+ years of industrial, manufacturing, or facility maintenance experience, ideally in a food manufacturing environment
• Strong electrical troubleshooting and repair experience.
• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting PLC-controlled machinery and automated systems.
• Working knowledge of PLC programming and ladder logic; experience with platforms such as Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Mitsubishi, or similar is preferred.
• Experience with VFDs, motor controls, sensors, relays, contactors, HMIs, control panels, and industrial automation equipment.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and equipment documentation.
• Experience with preventive maintenance programs and computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS).
• Previous leadership, mentoring, or supervisory experience preferred.
• Strong mechanical troubleshooting skills in addition to electrical and controls expertise.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
• Ability to work independently while effectively leading and supporting a maintenance team.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to safely use electrical testing equipment, hand tools, power tools, and maintenance machinery.
• Ability to work flexible hours, including overtime, weekends, or on-call shifts when required.

Working conditions

Greenhouse/Outside/Coolers/Office. Maintenance will have exposure to seasonal conditions which may range from extreme heat and humidity in the summer to cold in the winter. They will often work near moving mechanical parts including in the vicinity of high noise environments.

BrightFarms is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer - All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment without regard to that individual’s age, race, color, religion or creed, national origin or ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information, ethnicity, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by law.