Mechanical Technician – Food Processing Equipment

Job Title: Mechanical Technician – Food Processing Equipment

Job Summary:

The Senior Mechanical Technician leads the maintenance, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement of all mechanical food processing equipment, including mixers, slicers, conveyors, ovens, and packaging machines. This role oversees complex repairs, drives reliability initiatives, mentors junior staff, and collaborates closely with engineering, production, and quality teams to ensure optimal equipment performance, safety, and compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

Advanced Maintenance & Troubleshooting

• Lead diagnosis and repair of complex mechanical faults on food processing machinery.

• Manage major breakdowns and coordinate rapid response to restore production uptime.

• Conduct root cause analysis and implement corrective actions to improve equipment reliability.

Maintenance Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and improve preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment lifespan and minimize unplanned downtime.

• Lead or support equipment upgrades, retrofits, and capital projects.

• Mentor and train junior and mid-level mechanical technicians on advanced maintenance techniques and best practices.

Safety & Compliance

• Champion strict adherence to lockout/tagout (LOTO), safety protocols, and food safety standards (GMP, HACCP).

• Lead safety audits and risk assessments related to mechanical maintenance activities.

• Ensure compliance with all regulatory and company requirements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with production, quality, engineering, and maintenance teams to align maintenance activities with operational goals.

• Provide technical expertise during equipment commissioning, validations, and process improvement projects.

• Communicate effectively with all stakeholders regarding equipment status, issues, and improvements.

Key Focus Areas:

• Leadership in troubleshooting and repairing complex food processing equipment

• Maintenance strategy development and execution

• Mentorship and skill development for maintenance team members

• Safety leadership and regulatory compliance

• Collaboration on capital projects and process improvements

• Driving equipment reliability and minimizing downtime

Qualifications & Skills:

Education:

• Technical diploma, associate degree, or bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Maintenance, or related field preferred

Experience:

• 7–10+ years of experience maintaining food processing equipment in manufacturing or food & beverage industries

• Proven expertise in complex mechanical troubleshooting and repairs

Technical Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of food processing equipment such as mixers, slicers, conveyors, ovens, and packaging machinery

• Proficient with mechanical schematics, root cause analysis, and reliability improvement techniques

• Experience with CMMS, maintenance management, and continuous improvement tools

Soft Skills:

• Strong leadership and mentoring abilities

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills

• Effective communication and teamwork