What are the responsibilities and job description for the Service Engineer position at Modern Process Equipment?
Service Engineer
Modern Process Equipment (MPE) · Chicago, IL · Full-time
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Chicago, IL (HQ) |
Full-time |
Food & Specialty Coffee |
50-70% travel |
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ABOUT MPE
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Nearly 60 years as the go-to technical partner for North America's food processing industry |
Over 90% of North American coffee processors run MPE grinders and conveying systems |
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Family-owned, Chicago-based - Over 100 members, operations on three continents |
Industries served: specialty coffee, food manufacturing, craft brewing, pet food & more |
THE ROLE
You're the person customers call when something's wrong - and the one they remember when everything goes right. As a Service Engineer, you'll travel across North America installing MPE equipment, diagnosing complex problems, and ensuring our systems run at peak performance. One week you're commissioning a grinder at a specialty roaster in Portland; the next, troubleshooting a conveyor at a major food manufacturer in Texas. No two visits alike.
WHAT THIS ROLE IS NOT
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NOT MONOTONOUS Every customer site is different - boutique roasters, large-scale processors, craft breweries. No two days look alike. |
NOT A DESK JOB If variety and travel energize you, this job is built around that lifestyle - not despite it. |
NOT SOLO WORK You're in the field with full backing from engineering, sales, and operations. Never on your own. |
RESPONSIBILITIES
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TECHNICAL EXCELLENCE • Install and commission MPE equipment at customer facilities nationwide • Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, and process-related issues - often under pressure • Perform preventive maintenance and system optimization to maximize uptime • Deliver hands-on training that empowers customers to operate their equipment confidently |
CUSTOMER PARTNERSHIP • Represent MPE as the trusted technical face of the company - your professionalism builds lasting relationships • Translate complex technical information clearly for operators, plant managers, and executives • Identify opportunities for customers to get more from their MPE systems |
DOCUMENTATION & COLLABORATION • Write clear, detailed service reports and technical documentation after each visit • Coordinate your own scheduling and travel logistics efficiently • Feed field insights back to engineering and sales - your perspective from the floor is invaluable |
REQUIREMENTS
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TECHNICAL FOUNDATION • Hands-on experience with processing equipment, ideally in food or industrial manufacturing preferred • Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills - real problems in real facilities • Comfortable with PLCs, motors, drives, and industrial control systems • Valid driver's license; ability to travel domestically 50-70% • Occasional travel to Canada/Mexico |
PROBLEM-SOLVER MINDSET • Works through problems methodically and doesn't leave a site until the issue is resolved • Curiosity-driven - wants to know why it works, not just how to fix it • Adapts when customer needs shift the schedule - flexibility is part of the job |
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PEOPLE SKILLS • Explains technical concepts in plain language without talking down to customers • Customer success is personal - not done when equipment runs, done when they're confident • Natural collaborator who works well across departments • Projects professionalism and inspires confidence on-site |
GROWTH ORIENTATION • Actively adds to technical knowledge - this industry moves fast • Takes feedback seriously and uses it to improve • Building a career in technical service, not just filling a role |
BENEFITS
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Competitive salary |
Health, dental & vision |
401(k) with match |
PTO & holidays |
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For the right person, this is a career that genuinely doesn't get old.
Ready to see the world and solve hard problems? Apply today.