What are the responsibilities and job description for the Maintenance Technician position at Sonstegard Foods Company?
Sonstegard Foods Company is a third-generation, family-owned leader in shell egg production and egg products, operating in five states and serving both domestic and international markets.
Our Sheldon, IA facility operates a high-volume automated egg grading plant along with production barns, with continued expansion underway. We are seeking an experienced Maintenance Technician who can independently troubleshoot and repair industrial equipment while helping drive plant reliability and performance.
If you currently work in food processing, ethanol production, meat processing, grain handling, feed manufacturing, or other automated industrial environments, your experience translates directly to this role.
What You’ll Work On
Automated egg grading and inspection systems
Conveyors, motors, VFDs, gearboxes, pumps, and drive systems
Packaging equipment, wrapper, and tapers
Motor controls, relays, sensors, and basic PLC systems
Cooling and heating systems
If you’ve maintained processing lines, automated packaging equipment, ethanol plant systems, grain elevators, or large agricultural facilities, you will feel at home here.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
Diagnose and repair complex mechanical and electrical failures
Read and interpret electrical schematics and mechanical drawings
Perform advanced preventative maintenance to reduce downtime
Respond to breakdowns quickly and efficiently
Identify reliability improvements and recommend solutions
Support plant uptime and production goals
This role requires a technician who can work independently and take ownership of equipment performance.
What We’re Looking For
3–7 years of industrial maintenance experience
Strong electrical troubleshooting skills (480V preferred)
Experience with VFDs, motor controls, and industrial automation
Experience in food processing, agriculture, ethanol, feed mill, or manufacturing environments strongly preferred
Self-motivated, dependable, and safety-focused
Ability to lift 50 lbs and work in physically demanding conditions
Refrigeration experience is a strong plus but not required.
Why Consider Sonstegard Foods – Sheldon
Stable, family-owned company with long-term growth
Expansion and investment in equipment and facilities
Competitive hourly pay
Overtime opportunities
Benefits package including medical, PTO, and 401(k) with company match
Smaller team environment where your skills and contributions are recognized
If you're looking for a stable operation where your industrial maintenance experience is valued and your work directly impacts plant performance, we encourage you to apply.