Job Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled,Lead-Level Senior Maintenance Technicianto anchor our production floor. This is a premium technical role for a veteran technician who thriveson the floor, leading by example and tackling our most complex mechanical and electrical challenges.
You will be the primary technical expert responsible for maximizing the uptime of our high-volume corn dog production lines, with a heavy focus on ourautomated continuous fryers,liquid nitrogen spiral freezers, and high-speed packaging. The ideal candidate pairs advanced troubleshooting capabilities with a dedicated, hands-on work ethic in a fast-paced USDA environment.
Key Responsibilities & Core Focus Areas
Thermal & Cryogenic System Expertise:Lead the technical upkeep, calibration, and troubleshooting ofautomated continuous fryers(oil management, burner controls, etc.) and ourliquid nitrogen spiral blast freezer(exhaust systems, precise temperature modulation, heavy-duty spiral conveyor drive systems).
Advanced Troubleshooting:Diagnose complex, intermittent electrical failures, 3-phase power distribution issues, pneumatic/hydraulic faults, and control loop errors on high-speed processing and packaging equipment.
100% Hands-On Floor Presence:Spend the vast majority of the shift actively working on the production floor. Provide immediate emergency response to line stoppages, performing rapid, permanent mechanical and electrical repairs to keep production moving.
Sanitary Engineering & PMs:Execute and optimize preventative maintenance programs tailored for high-heat and cryogenic environments. Ensure all fabrications, welding, and repairs strictly meet USDA sanitary design standards (hygienic welds, food-grade lubricants, zero bacterial harborages).
Washdown & Pre-Op Execution:Mechanically prep, lock out (LOTO), and safeguard advanced equipment for high-pressure sanitation washdowns. Reassemble, calibrate, and fine-tune lines to guarantee flawless USDA pre-op inspection passes.
Mentorship & Floor Leadership:Act as the technical escalation point for junior technicians on the floor, sharing diagnostic strategies and raising the overall technical capability of the team.
Technical Qualifications & Experience
Experience:5+ years of industrial maintenance experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment.Food manufacturing experience (specifically involving automated frying or cryogenic freezing) is heavily preferred.
Advanced Thermal/Cryogenic Skills:Direct experience maintaining industrial automated fryers or commercial freezing systems (liquid nitrogen or ammonia).
Automation & Electrical Mastery:Proficient in reading ladder logic to troubleshoot PLC systems (e.g., Allen-Bradley). Strong diagnostics for VFDs (Variable Frequency Drives), servo motors, photo-eyes, proximity switches, and safety circuits.
Robust Mechanical Skills:Expert-level knowledge of heavy-duty conveyor systems, industrial pumps, gearboxes, precision timing, and automated stick-insertion or product-handling machinery.
Environmental Resilience:Comfort working closely with extreme heat environments (fryer lines) and sub-zero, refrigerated packaging and freezing rooms.
Education & Certifications
High School Diploma or GED required; Technical Degree/Certification in Mechatronics, Industrial Electricity, or Mechanical Systems highly preferred.
Valid certifications in OSHA-10/30, LOTO execution, or advanced PLC programming are significant advantages.