Manufacturing Reliability

Maintenance Mechanic – Manufacturing | Packaging Equipment & SAP-PM | Chicago, IL

Maintenance Mechanic – Manufacturing

📍 Chicago, Illinois
💰 $38.77 per hour
🕒 Second or Third Shift
💼 Full-Time | Union Position
🏭 Onsite – Manufacturing/Bakery Facility
👥 Three Openings
🚫 No Visa Sponsorship
🚚 No Relocation Assistance

Position Overview

A leading manufacturing organization is seeking three experienced Maintenance Mechanics to support a high-speed production and packaging facility in Chicago.

This hands-on position is responsible for maintaining the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of processing, packaging, and facility equipment. Working with limited supervision in a team-based environment, the Maintenance Mechanic will perform preventive maintenance, troubleshoot breakdowns, complete mechanical repairs, and help minimize production downtime.

Candidates must be available to work either second or third shift.

Key Responsibilities

Preventive Maintenance and CMMS

  • Complete scheduled preventive maintenance activities across production and facility equipment.

  • Document maintenance work, work orders, repairs, and equipment improvements using SAP Plant Maintenance.

  • Maintain accurate equipment and maintenance records within the plant’s computerized maintenance management system.

  • Use condition-monitoring equipment, including thermography cameras and ultrasound tools.

  • Identify potential equipment failures before they interrupt production.

Mechanical Troubleshooting and Repair

  • Diagnose, repair, and replace defective components on high-speed processing and packaging equipment.

  • Troubleshoot pumps, hydraulics, pneumatics, mechanical drives, and foundational electrical systems.

  • Perform basic machining, welding, fabrication, and mechanical adjustment work.

  • Complete root-cause analysis for recurring equipment failures.

  • Respond quickly to live breakdown calls and restore equipment performance safely.

  • Follow the correct testing and diagnostic sequence for complex processing equipment.

Technical Documentation

  • Read and interpret:

    • Mechanical and electrical schematics

    • Piping and instrumentation diagrams

    • Blueprints

    • Block diagrams

    • Equipment drawings and sketches

  • Use technical documentation to support equipment diagnostics, repairs, and improvements.

Collaboration and Continuous Improvement

  • Work alongside engineers, electricians, boiler room personnel, production teams, and technical specialists.

  • Communicate equipment status and outstanding maintenance requirements during shift handovers.

  • Help identify and resolve recurring operational problems.

  • Support continuous improvement initiatives involving TPM, Lean, and Six Sigma methodologies.

  • Share technical knowledge and contribute to the development of other team members.

Safety and Equipment Operation

  • Follow all Lockout/Tagout, Hot Work, and Confined Space procedures.

  • Work in accordance with NEC and NFPA requirements.

  • Safely operate forklifts, man lifts, ladders, scaffolding, and other material-handling equipment.

  • Comply with GMP, HACCP, QCMS, health-code, and food-safety requirements.

Minimum Requirements

  • High school diploma or GED.

  • At least two to four years of hands-on experience as a Maintenance Mechanic within a manufacturing environment, or successful completion of an approved apprenticeship or technical training program.

  • Strong mechanical knowledge covering:

    • Pumps

    • Hydraulics

    • Pneumatics

    • Mechanical drives

    • Basic machining

    • Welding

    • Hand and power tools

    • Foundational electrical systems

  • Ability to diagnose equipment problems and perform root-cause analysis.

  • Ability to work effectively with limited supervision.

  • Strong teamwork and communication skills.

  • Willingness and ability to work second or third shift.

  • No visa sponsorship is available.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Maintenance experience involving high-speed processing or packaging lines.

  • Experience within food and beverage, pharmaceutical, chemical, or another highly regulated manufacturing environment.

  • Familiarity with SAP-PM or another computerized maintenance management system.

  • Knowledge of TPM, Lean Manufacturing, or Six Sigma principles.

  • Familiarity with AutoCAD and technical file-management software.

  • Experience training, mentoring, or sharing technical knowledge with colleagues.

  • Knowledge of condition-based monitoring methods.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds independently.

  • Ability to climb stairs and work from ladders, lifts, and scaffolding.

  • Ability to crawl over, under, or inside manufacturing equipment when completing maintenance work.

  • Ability to maintain balance while working around industrial machinery.

  • Comfortable working in environments with significantly varying temperatures.

First 30, 60 and 90 Days

First 30 Days

  • Complete plant safety onboarding.

  • Obtain required lift-equipment certifications.

  • Complete training on the facility’s autonomous and progressive maintenance standards.

First 60 Days

  • Develop familiarity with the plant’s equipment and machinery layouts.

  • Begin independently completing scheduled preventive maintenance activities within the CMMS.

First 90 Days

  • Respond confidently to live equipment breakdowns.

  • Independently diagnose and repair common mechanical failures.

  • Collaborate effectively across departments and shifts to minimize production downtime.

Compensation and Benefits

  • $38.77 per hour.

  • Equivalent to approximately $80,642 annually based on a standard 40-hour working week.

  • Healthcare coverage.

  • Retirement benefits.

  • Paid time off.

  • Benefits are provided in accordance with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement and may be subject to eligibility requirements.

  • No bonus or commission.

  • No relocation assistance or interview travel reimbursement.

 

Industrial Electrician | PLC, VFD & 480V Maintenance | Chicago, IL

Industrial Electrician

📍 Location: Chicago, IL (Onsite)
🏭 Industry: Manufacturing / Food Production
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time (4 Openings)
Shift: Must be flexible to work 2nd or 3rd Shift
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Not Available
💰 Compensation: $43.69/hour ($85,000 – $90,668 annually) + Union Benefits

Overview

A leading food manufacturing organization is seeking Industrial Electricians to support operations at a high-volume bakery manufacturing facility in Chicago.

This role is responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing industrial electrical systems and production equipment to maximize uptime, reliability, and manufacturing efficiency. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting safety, quality, productivity, and continuous improvement initiatives while working in a fast-paced production environment.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical Maintenance

  • Install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair industrial electrical equipment.

  • Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on manufacturing equipment.

  • Diagnose and resolve electrical faults to minimize production downtime.

  • Maintain plant electrical infrastructure supporting continuous operations.

Equipment Troubleshooting

  • Troubleshoot production equipment, PLCs, VFDs, motors, and electrical systems.

  • Read and interpret electrical blueprints, wiring diagrams, and schematics.

  • Identify root causes of equipment failures and implement corrective actions.

  • Support equipment reliability and operational efficiency.

Production Support

  • Execute Autonomous Maintenance (AM) and Preventive Maintenance (PM) activities.

  • Respond quickly to production breakdowns.

  • Identify and report equipment losses and improvement opportunities.

  • Support continuous improvement initiatives across the facility.

Safety & Quality

  • Follow all electrical safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO).

  • Adhere to Arc Flash and electrical safety standards.

  • Ensure compliance with quality and food manufacturing requirements.

  • Maintain a safe and organized work environment.

Required Qualifications

Education

  • High School Diploma or GED required.

  • Associate Degree or certification in Mechatronics, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering preferred.

Experience

✔ 7+ years of industrial electrical maintenance experience.

✔ Experience maintaining electrical systems within a manufacturing environment.

✔ Experience troubleshooting complex industrial production equipment.

Technical Requirements

Electrical Systems

  • 480V Industrial Electrical Systems

  • Electrical Troubleshooting

  • Industrial Motors & Controls

  • Electrical Preventive Maintenance

Automation

  • PLC Troubleshooting

  • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)

  • Industrial Control Systems

Drawings & Documentation

  • Electrical Blueprints

  • Wiring Diagrams

  • Technical Schematics

Safety

  • Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)

  • Arc Flash Safety

  • Industrial Safety Procedures

Preferred Qualifications

  • PLC programming and logic modification experience.

  • Experience working within food manufacturing or bakery operations.

  • Knowledge of industrial automation systems.

  • Strong understanding of production reliability and preventive maintenance.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced industrial electrician who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys solving complex electrical and automation issues.

They will possess:

  • Strong industrial troubleshooting skills.

  • Hands-on experience with 480V systems, PLCs, and VFDs.

  • Excellent schematic reading and diagnostic abilities.

  • Strong commitment to safety and quality.

  • Ability to work collaboratively across production and maintenance teams.

  • Flexibility to support 2nd or 3rd shift operations.

Candidate Snapshot

Requirement

Details

Experience

7+ Years Industrial Electrical Maintenance

Electrical Systems

480V Industrial Power

Automation

PLC & VFD Troubleshooting

Drawings

Electrical Schematics & Blueprints

Safety

LOTO & Arc Flash

Industry

Manufacturing / Food Production

Shift

2nd or 3rd Shift

Location

Chicago, IL

Openings

4

Compensation

$43.69/hour ($85K–$90.7K annually)

Relocation

None

Screening Questions

  1. Do you have at least seven years of industrial electrical maintenance experience?

  2. Do you have hands-on experience working with 480V electrical systems?

  3. Have you professionally troubleshot and maintained PLC-controlled manufacturing equipment?

  4. Do you have experience working with Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)?

  5. Are you able to read and interpret electrical schematics and blueprints?

  6. Do you have experience working within a manufacturing or food production environment?

  7. Are you familiar with Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) and Arc Flash safety procedures?

  8. Have you performed preventive and predictive electrical maintenance on production equipment?

  9. Are you willing to work 2nd or 3rd shift on a full-time basis?

  10. When would you be available to start?

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

  • Strong troubleshooting skills that minimize production downtime.

  • Extensive experience with industrial electrical systems, PLCs, and VFDs.

  • Ability to quickly diagnose and resolve complex equipment failures.

  • Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

  • Strong communication and teamwork in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

  • Ability to proactively identify equipment issues before they impact production.

  • Dependability and flexibility to support critical production operations across multiple shifts.

 

Senior Capital Project Engineer – Manufacturing & Process Engineering | Eddyville, IA

Senior Capital Project Engineer

📍 Location: Eddyville, IA
🏢 Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Available
💰 Compensation: $86,000 – $146,000 Base Salary
🕒 Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Overview

A leading food manufacturing organization is seeking a Senior Capital Project Engineer to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of capital projects within a large-scale manufacturing environment.

This role will be responsible for managing engineering deliverables, equipment procurement, construction planning, commissioning activities, and project execution while ensuring projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.

The ideal candidate will have experience leading capital projects in manufacturing, food processing, chemical processing, or related industrial environments and possess strong project management and engineering expertise.

Key Responsibilities

Capital Project Management

  • Plan, manage, and execute capital projects from concept through startup.

  • Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans.

  • Estimate project costs and timelines.

  • Coordinate project activities across engineering, operations, maintenance, and contractors.

Engineering & Design

  • Design and oversee modifications to manufacturing systems, facilities, and equipment.

  • Analyze engineering challenges and develop practical solutions.

  • Ensure projects comply with engineering standards, safety requirements, and operational objectives.

  • Support facility expansion, upgrades, and modernization initiatives.

Construction, Commissioning & Startup

  • Coordinate construction activities and contractor execution.

  • Develop commissioning and startup plans.

  • Oversee equipment installation, testing, and operational readiness.

  • Support successful handoff to plant operations.

Procurement & Vendor Management

  • Lead equipment specification and procurement processes.

  • Develop and review bid packages.

  • Evaluate vendor proposals and support award decisions.

  • Manage relationships with contractors, suppliers, and engineering partners.

Leadership & Mentorship

  • Provide technical leadership and guidance to junior engineers.

  • Mentor early-career engineers through project involvement and hands-on development.

  • Share engineering best practices and lessons learned.

Required Qualifications

Education

✔ Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline

OR

✔ Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience

Experience

✔ Minimum 4 years of engineering experience

✔ Experience supporting capital projects within industrial or manufacturing environments

Preferred Qualifications

Capital Projects

  • Demonstrated success leading large capital projects or managing a portfolio of projects.

  • Experience overseeing projects from design through commissioning and startup.

  • Strong project planning, budgeting, and execution skills.

Industry Experience

Experience in one or more of the following:

  • Food Manufacturing

  • Food Processing

  • Chemical Manufacturing

  • Industrial Manufacturing

  • Process Manufacturing

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will be an experienced project engineer who thrives in a manufacturing environment and enjoys leading projects that improve plant performance, reliability, efficiency, and safety.

They will:

  • Have hands-on experience managing capital projects.

  • Understand industrial equipment, facilities, and process systems.

  • Be comfortable leading cross-functional teams and contractors.

  • Demonstrate strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

  • Balance technical engineering expertise with project execution responsibilities.

  • Enjoy mentoring less experienced engineers.

Must-Have Requirements

Engineering

✅ Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related discipline

✅ Minimum 4 years of relevant engineering experience

Project Experience

✅ Capital Project Execution

✅ Engineering Design & Problem Solving

✅ Construction Coordination

✅ Equipment Procurement

Soft Skills

✅ Project Leadership

✅ Communication Skills

✅ Stakeholder Management

✅ Problem Solving

Screening Questions

  1. Do you have a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or a related field?

  2. Do you have at least four years of engineering experience?

  3. Have you successfully executed large capital projects or managed multiple capital projects simultaneously?

  4. Do you have experience with equipment specification, procurement, and contractor management?

  5. Have you supported construction, commissioning, and startup activities?

  6. Do you have experience within food manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, or another industrial process environment?

  7. Are you willing to work onsite in Eddyville, Iowa?

  8. Would you require visa sponsorship now or in the future?

Candidate Snapshot

Requirement

Details

Experience

4+ Years Engineering Experience

Project Focus

Capital Projects

Education

Bachelor's Degree Required

Industry

Manufacturing, Food, Chemical, Industrial

Leadership

Informal Mentoring & Technical Leadership

Location

Eddyville, IA

Work Arrangement

100% Onsite

Relocation

Available

Travel

None

Compensation

$86K – $146K

What Makes Someone Successful in This Role?

  • Strong capital project execution experience.

  • Ability to manage projects from concept through startup.

  • Experience coordinating contractors, vendors, and internal stakeholders.

  • Strong engineering problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

  • Knowledge of manufacturing equipment and process systems.

  • Ability to lead multiple priorities in a fast-paced production environment.

  • Commitment to safety, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Why This Opportunity?

High-Impact Engineering

Lead projects that directly improve manufacturing performance, plant reliability, and operational efficiency.

Career Growth

Gain exposure to large-scale capital investments and complex industrial engineering initiatives.

Diverse Project Portfolio

Work across facility upgrades, process improvements, equipment installations, and modernization efforts.

Relocation Support

Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates interested in joining a growing manufacturing operation.

 

Controls Engineer – Waukesha, WI

Controls Engineer

📍 Location: Waukesha, Wisconsin
🏭 Manufacturing Environment
💼 Full-Time | Onsite
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Available
🚫 Visa Sponsorship: Not Available (Current or Future Sponsorship Not Supported)

Overview

A global manufacturing leader is seeking a Controls Engineer to support plant operations through the design, development, implementation, and troubleshooting of automated manufacturing and testing systems.

This role is ideal for an experienced controls professional who can independently design PLC systems from scratch, support production equipment, develop testing solutions, and drive continuous improvement initiatives across manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Controls & Automation Engineering

  • Design, program, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI systems.

  • Develop testing protocols, data collection programs, and test equipment specifications.

  • Support production equipment, electrical systems, and automated test platforms.

  • Develop interfaces between SQL databases and production systems.

  • Support installation, validation, commissioning, and maintenance of manufacturing equipment.

Manufacturing Support

  • Troubleshoot equipment and controls issues to minimize downtime.

  • Perform root cause analysis and corrective actions.

  • Support continuous improvement, Lean, and Six Sigma initiatives.

  • Identify and implement process improvements to improve productivity and quality.

Project Engineering

  • Lead or support capital equipment projects.

  • Develop Capital Appropriation Requests (CARs).

  • Create project goals, budgets, schedules, and work breakdown structures.

  • Support change management initiatives using structured methodologies such as ADKAR.

Safety & Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with OSHA and electrical safety requirements.

  • Identify and mitigate safety risks associated with testing and manufacturing equipment.

  • Promote a zero-incident safety culture.

Required Qualifications

Education

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.

Experience

  • Minimum 5 years of Controls Engineering or Test Engineering experience in a manufacturing environment.

  • Experience designing PLC systems from the ground up.

  • Experience supporting automated production and testing equipment.

Technical Skills

  • PLC Programming

  • HMI Programming

  • SQL Database Integration

  • Rockwell Automation Software:

    • RSLogix 5

    • RSLogix 500

    • RSLogix 5000

    • Studio 5000

    • FactoryTalk View ME

    • FactoryTalk View SE

  • Visual Basic / Visual Studio

  • Microsoft Applications

Must-Have Requirements

✔ Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
✔ 5+ Years Controls/Test Engineering Experience
✔ Ability to Design PLC Systems from Scratch
✔ Rockwell Automation Software Experience
✔ PLC & HMI Programming Experience
✔ Understanding of Safety Systems Design
✔ Experience Supporting Manufacturing Equipment & Test Systems
✔ No Current or Future Sponsorship Requirements

Preferred Qualifications

  • NI LabVIEW

  • NI TestStand

  • Ignition (SCADA)

  • Lean Manufacturing

  • Six Sigma Methodologies

  • Root Cause Analysis (8D, PFMEA, A3, Pareto, Control Charts)

  • Project Management Experience

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on Controls Engineer with strong manufacturing automation experience who can independently design and support PLC-based systems while driving plant efficiency and reliability.

They will have:

  • Strong Rockwell Automation expertise.

  • Experience developing controls for production and test equipment.

  • Ability to troubleshoot complex electrical and automation systems.

  • Strong SQL and programming capabilities.

  • Experience implementing continuous improvement initiatives.

  • Excellent collaboration and problem-solving skills.

Candidate Snapshot

Requirement

Details

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Experience

5+ Years Controls/Test Engineering

Industry

Manufacturing

Seniority

Mid-Senior Level

PLC Design

Must Build PLCs from Scratch

Rockwell Experience

Required

Travel

None

Relocation

Available

Sponsorship

Not Available

Screening Questions

  1. Can you design and build a PLC system from scratch?

  2. Do you have at least 5 years of Controls/Test Engineering experience?

  3. Do you hold a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering?

  4. Do you have experience with Rockwell software (RSLogix, Studio 5000, FactoryTalk)?

  5. Do you have PLC and HMI programming experience?

  6. Have you supported the design, development, installation, and troubleshooting of production equipment?

  7. Do you have experience with Visual Studio, SQL, and Microsoft applications?

  8. Are you authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship?

Nice-to-Have Experience

  • NI LabVIEW & TestStand

  • Ignition SCADA

  • Lean / Six Sigma tools

  • Capital project execution

  • Manufacturing test system development

  • Change management methodologies (ADKAR)

Why Consider This Opportunity?

  • Join a global manufacturing organization with a strong reputation for innovation and stability.

  • Work on advanced automation and testing systems.

  • Drive impactful plant-wide improvements and modernization projects.

  • Excellent career growth opportunities within engineering and operations.

  • Relocation assistance available for qualified candidates.