Industrial Automation Maintenance Specialist (Food Manufacturing)

Job Description

Job Description

Industrial Automation Maintenance Specialist (Food Manufacturing)

Location: Lake Villa, IL

Compensation: $30–$48 per hour

Your day, at a glance

Before the first batch hits the line, you’re already walking the floor—listening for the hum of conveyors, checking gauges on thermal systems, and scanning for PLC alerts. A packaging cell signals a fault; you pull the trend data, trace the issue to a misreading sensor on an Allen-Bradley-controlled subsystem, swap the component, and bring the cell back online in minutes. After a quick collaboration with production, you pivot to preventive maintenance on a cooker, then finish the shift supporting an install for a new chilling unit that will boost throughput and consistency.

About us

We’re a growing producer of high-quality prepared foods operating a modern, high-speed facility. Our lines leverage smart manufacturing with integrated, PLC-driven systems that elevate efficiency, food safety, and product quality. From cooking and processing to chilling and packaging, the tech is cutting-edge—and so is the team behind it.

What you’ll take on

• Keep advanced food processing, cooking, chilling, and packaging equipment running through proactive maintenance, rapid troubleshooting, and precise repairs.
• Diagnose and correct issues across mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems in a fast-moving production environment.
• Use and troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment (Allen-Bradley experience is a major plus) across interconnected lines.
• Service industrial refrigeration and thermal processing assets (ovens, cookers) and the supporting plant infrastructure.
• Partner with a seasoned maintenance team to minimize downtime and support new project installations.
• Work safely in a wash-down environment, strictly following GMP and SQF/HACCP protocols.

What helps you thrive here

• 3+ years of hands-on industrial maintenance experience.
• Strong proficiency in mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic repair.
• Comfort operating independently, learning plant-specific processes, and contributing at a mid-to-senior technician level.

Ready to apply?

Click 'Apply Now' or email your resume to View email address on ziprecruiter.com.