Automation Maintenance Mechanic

Kelly Services; Romeoville (IL); On-site; USD 48,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid vacation

Continuous training

Job summary

Kelly Services in Romeoville, IL seeks an Automation Technician to troubleshoot, repair, and maintain automated production systems in a USDA-regulated environment. You will work on conveyors, packaging equipment, PLCs, VFDs, and electrical systems across multiple shifts with a strong safety culture.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of mechanical/electrical/hydraulic/pneumatic maintenance experience in food manufacturing, reads schematics well, and can perform PLC/VFD troubleshooting.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic maintenance experience in a USDA or FDA food manufacturing environment.
• Experience troubleshooting automated production and packaging equipment.
• Strong understanding of electrical controls, motors, wiring, relays, control panels, and industrial electrical systems.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, blueprints, and technical documentation.
• Basic PLC and VFD troubleshooting experience.
• Safe and proficient use of hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain food processing and packaging equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance, equipment setup, and repairs on conveyors, stackers, baggers, check weighers, UPC barcode systems, and case erectors.
• Diagnose and repair 110V, 230V, and 460V electrical systems including motors, starters, relays, timers, breakers, panels, conduit, and wiring.
• Read and interpret electrical schematics and control drawings to troubleshoot equipment issues.
• Perform basic PLC and VFD programming and troubleshooting.
• Dismantle, clean, lubricate, and reassemble equipment according to preventive maintenance schedules.
• Respond quickly to equipment breakdowns to minimize production downtime.
• Ensure all production equipment is operational before scheduled production starts.
• Fabricate replacement parts and modify equipment as needed to improve performance.
• Maintain facility equipment and support compliance with city, fire, and USDA regulations.
• Follow all safety procedures including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), ladder safety, and company safety programs.
• Support SQF Food Safety Code requirements and maintain a clean, food-safe work environment.
• Assist with training and mentoring maintenance and production team members.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Electrical maintenance

Hydraulic systems

Pneumatic systems

USDA/FDA environment

Troubleshooting

PLC troubleshooting

Schematic reading

Lockout/Tagout safety

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Electrical schematics

Conduit & wiring

Hand & power tools

Diagnostic equipment

Job description

Automation Technician – Romeoville, IL

Pay: $35-$38/hr

Schedule:

• 1st Shift: Monday – Friday | 6:30am – 3:00pm

• 2nd Shift: Monday – Friday | 3:00pm – 11:30pm

Join a Team That Keeps Automation Running!

We're looking for an experienced Automation Technician to help keep our food production and packaging equipment operating at peak performance. In this role, you'll troubleshoot, repair, and maintain automated production systems in a USDA-regulated manufacturing environment while ensuring equipment reliability, safety, and production efficiency.

If you're mechanically inclined, enjoy electrical troubleshooting, and have experience with PLCs, VFDs, and automated packaging equipment, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Inspect, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain food processing and packaging equipment.

• Perform preventive maintenance, equipment setup, and repairs on conveyors, stackers, baggers, check weighers, UPC barcode systems, and case erectors.

• Diagnose and repair 110V, 230V, and 460V electrical systems including motors, starters, relays, timers, breakers, panels, conduit, and wiring.

• Read and interpret electrical schematics and control drawings to troubleshoot equipment issues.

• Perform basic PLC and VFD programming and troubleshooting.

• Dismantle, clean, lubricate, and reassemble equipment according to preventive maintenance schedules.

• Respond quickly to equipment breakdowns to minimize production downtime.

• Ensure all production equipment is operational before scheduled production starts.

• Fabricate replacement parts and modify equipment as needed to improve performance.

• Maintain facility equipment and support compliance with city, fire, and USDA regulations.

• Follow all safety procedures including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), ladder safety, and company safety programs.

• Support SQF Food Safety Code requirements and maintain a clean, food-safe work environment.

• Assist with training and mentoring maintenance and production team members.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic maintenance experience in a USDA or FDA food manufacturing environment.

• Experience troubleshooting automated production and packaging equipment.

• Strong understanding of electrical controls, motors, wiring, relays, control panels, and industrial electrical systems.

• Ability to read electrical schematics, blueprints, and technical documentation.

• Basic PLC and Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) troubleshooting experience.

• Safe and proficient use of hand tools, power tools, and diagnostic equipment.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to work independently and within a team.

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Valid Illinois Driver's License preferred.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

• Must be available to work any shift as business needs require.

Why You'll Love It Here

• Competitive pay based on experience

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, and life insurance

• 401(k) with company match

• Paid vacation and company benefits

• Stable, clean, USDA-regulated manufacturing environment

• Ongoing training and opportunities for career growth

• Join a collaborative maintenance team where your technical expertise makes a direct impact every day

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.