Maintenance Technician

Aurora Organic Dairy, a 2025 Top Workplace USA is looking for a skilled industrial maintenance technician. Come and join a dynamic maintenance team in the exciting industry of organic milk production.

Industrial Maintenance Technician

Purpose:

The Industrial Maintenance Technician is responsible for maintenance, break-down analysis, and repair of all production/manufacturing equipment in our milk plant – processing, packaging, quality assurance, and warehouse. Operating/maintaining facility equipment is required under the direction of the engineers. Collaborating with outside contractors working on assigned lines, complying with GMP, safety and audit standards. Able to work independently under limited supervision (self-management), documenting work completed, and parts used. General housekeeping.

Essential Responsibilities:

• All plant personnel have the responsibility to monitor and report any deviations from our Food Safety and Food Quality (HACCP & SQF) programs to your immediate supervisor.
• Responsible for the break-down analysis, repair, and preventative maintenance of all production-related equipment – including but not limited to processing and packaging equipment, warehouse crane-related equipment, fork trucks.
• Operate and maintain WWPT systems and facility equipment in collaboration with the Facility Engineer crew.
• Maintain work, time and materials records as well as keep Shop parts inventories.
• Assist with training fellow technicians and production team members to increase workforce effectiveness.
• Proficiency in:
  1. Reading electrical drawings (line diagram), both American and European.
  2. Mechanical systems (e.g., gear boxes, chains, sprockets, motors, seals, and bearings).
  3. Equipment manuals (e.g., reading and applying knowledge to make repairs).
  4. Troubleshooting breakdowns (pinpointing and fixing breakdowns).
  5. Reading technical drawings (e.g., schematics, pneumatics).
  6. Basic electrical systems (e.g., starters, contactors, solenoids, relays).
  7. Conveyers and airveyors (air cylinders, diverters, sensors, motor/speed controls).
  8. Motor control systems (frequency drive – installation, setup, troubleshooting).
  9. Hydraulic systems (high pressure cylinders, pumps, valves, troubleshooting).
  10. PLC and control circuits (e.g., I/O module, communication switches).

Other Required Responsibilities:

1. Facility systems (e.g., ammonia, refrigeration, boilers, wastewater).
2. Electronics (e.g., level probes, flow meters, drives/VFDs, etc.).
3. Packaging/high speed production (e.g., bottling, consumer products, etc.).
4. Liquid pumps (e.g., troubleshooting, replacing seals/motors, understanding specs.)
5. SERVO (e.g., intelligent/robotic motors, encoders, etc.)
6. Sanitary welding (e.g., tig, mig)
7. Collaborate and assist other maintenance technicians in performing repairs as needed.
8. Maintain professionalism in handling work situations.
9. Identify skill-set deficiency and action-plan to close gap.
10. Responsible for Shop Floor tidiness.

Competencies Required for success:

• Analytical Skills
• Interpersonal Skills
• Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement
• Systematic troubleshooting
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Initiative
• Hands-on

Knowledge and Experience:

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Technical degree preferred but not required.
• Two to four years maintenance experience, with fluid milk or other food processing experience preferred.
• Electrical knowledge in troubleshooting and repair.
• Welding (particularly MIG/TIG) and fabrication skills a plus.
• Ability to read and interpret manuals for equipment maintenance and repair.
• High-level of reasoning ability to solve practical problems in situations where standardization may not exist. 
• Knowledge of PM and standard repair procedures for industrial equipment.
• Be able to read and understand flow, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic drawings and perform associated repair.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively and is a self-starter.

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to regularly stand, sit, use hands and fingers, reach with arms, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl around equipment. May be required to lift up to 50 lbs.
• Exposure to moving mechanical parts and small risk of electrical shock.
• Ability to work in varying temperature conditions, often in wet and/or humid conditions. Noise level requires hearing protection.
• Must be comfortable working at heights (i.e., fall protection), LOTO and other safety devices.
• Must have ability to work nights and weekends or provide coverage for other shifts as needed

Benefits:

• 401(k) plan with company match
• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Company Paid Group Life Insurance
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Accident, Cancer Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off
• Company Holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Personal Leave
• Family Care Leave
• Free Milk
• Costco Membership Contribution
• Captive Shoe Program