Automation Maintenance Technician — Food Plant

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

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.