Maintenance Technician/Electrician

The Maintenance Technician (Electrical & Controls) is a specialized maintenance role responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, maintaining, and improving electrical and automated systems throughout the facility. The position provides hands-on support for production equipment, PLC-controlled machinery, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motors, HVAC systems, and related facility equipment. This technician will also support the installation and start-up of new equipment while continuing to perform broader maintenance duties needed to keep the site operating safely, efficiently, and in compliance with food safety and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities 

• Perform scheduled preventive and corrective maintenance on production machinery, electrical systems, HVAC equipment, motors, VFDs, controls, and facility infrastructure.

• Diagnose and repair electrical faults using schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, meters, and other appropriate test equipment.

• Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment, including input/output devices, sensors, relays, communications, and control circuits; make program-level changes only when trained and authorized.

• Troubleshoot, configure, and replace VFDs, motor starters, contactors, overloads, motors, and related electrical components.

• Respond promptly to breakdowns and maintenance requests to restore equipment safely and minimize production downtime.

• Assist with the installation, wiring, testing, commissioning, calibration, and start-up of new production equipment and automated systems.

• Develop working knowledge of newly installed equipment and demonstrate the willingness and ability to learn unfamiliar technologies, processes, and control systems.

• Inspect and maintain electrical panels, disconnects, controls, lighting, and related facility electrical systems in accordance with applicable safety requirements.

• Support HVAC troubleshooting and maintenance; HVAC certification is preferred but not required.

• Coordinate effectively with Production, Engineering, FSQA, Safety, contractors, equipment manufacturers, and outside service providers.

• Collaborate with Production and FSQA to ensure repairs and maintenance activities protect product safety, quality, and GMP compliance.

• Support sanitation activities, shutdowns, line changeovers, trials, and emergency maintenance needs as assigned.

• Follow lockout/tagout, electrical safe-work practices, PPE requirements, and all other Company safety procedures.

• Maintain tools, parts, panels, and maintenance work areas in a clean, organized, and safe condition.

• Complete maintenance work orders, preventive maintenance records, parts usage, troubleshooting notes, and required daily documentation accurately and on time.

• Communicate equipment status, repair needs, risks, parts requirements, and expected downtime clearly to internal and external customers.

Occupational Safety, Health and Environment  

• Champion a culture of safe working.

• Ensure all company safety, wellness and environmental policies and procedures are adhered to in accordance with OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) requirements.

• Ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers while they are at work.

• Ensure consultation with employees on safety and health issues.

Food Safety 

• Ensure operations are according to our food safety policies and processes including FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and USDA (US Department of Agriculture) compliance plus our HACCP and GMP programs.  

• Ensure control of any food safety risks. 

KEY QUALITIES: 

Qualifications, Skills & Experience (Essential):

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and repairing industrial electrical systems and production equipment. 

• Hands-on PLC troubleshooting experience, including controls, sensors, input/output devices, and automated equipment.

• Experience troubleshooting and working with VFDs, electric motors, motor controls, starters, relays, and related components.

• Strong electrical troubleshooting skills and the ability to isolate faults safely and efficiently.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, blueprints, and equipment documentation.

• Ability and willingness to learn, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain newly installed or unfamiliar equipment.

• Good verbal and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with internal teams, contractors, vendors, and equipment manufacturers.

• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and sound judgment in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Ability to work safely in varying temperatures, around loud equipment, and in physically demanding conditions.

• Willingness to work flexible hours, including off-shifts, weekends, shutdowns, and emergency call-ins when required.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience (Desirable):

• Technical certification, electrical apprenticeship, journeyman-level training, or associate degree in industrial maintenance, electrical technology, controls, or a related field preferred.

• HVAC certification preferred but not required.

• Industrial maintenance experience strongly preferred.

• Experience in a food manufacturing, beverage, pharmaceutical, or other highly regulated manufacturing environment preferred but not required.

• Experience supporting equipment installation, commissioning, start-up, or controls integration preferred.

• Familiarity with GMP, HACCP, food safety requirements, and sanitation-sensitive maintenance practices is a plus.

Physical Requirements: 

• Site-based role within a food manufacturing environment working in production and engineering workshop areas. 

• Ability to walk production floors, stand for extended periods, and access manufacturing areas. 

• May require flexibility to support off-shift operations, weekends, or emergency situations. 

• Able to lift to 50 lbs regularly.

• Ability to stand, walk, bend, and climb ladders or scaffolding for extended periods.

• Use of hand and power tools safely and effectively.

• Ability to work around energized electrical systems and perform electrical tasks only within the employee’s training, qualifications, authorization, and applicable safe-work procedures.