Conveyor and Fluid Power Maintenance Technician

Sterling St James LLC; Fort Atkinson (WI); On-site; USD 36,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC is seeking an Industrial Maintenance Technician for a 2nd shift in a Greater Madison area food-processing environment. The role centers on maintaining high-speed processing lines, conveyors, and fluid power loops while upholding strict GMP standards.

Qualified candidates have 1+ year of industrial maintenance experience, welding fundamentals, and a proven reliability track record. Local commuting proximity within 45 minutes is required, with US citizenship or a Green Card

Qualifications

• 1+ year of maintenance experience in a fast-paced production setting, with hydraulics, pneumatics and conveyors.
• Basic structural welding, torch cutting, and metal fabrication for repairs.
• Comfort working in a food-safe facility with strict GMP and cleanliness standards.
• Stable employment history showing reliability and good attendance.
• Residence within a 45-minute daily drive of the Greater Madison, WI area.
• Must be a US citizen or green card holder.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high-speed processing lines, perform fault-tracing and rapid repairs.
• Service conveyors and drive assemblies, troubleshoot and rebuild equipment.
• Diagnose and service fluid power systems including hydraulics and pneumatics.
• Execute structural modifications with MIG/TIG welding and fabricate guards.
• Ensure sanitation and GMP compliance across production areas.

Skills

Mechanical maintenance

Welding fundamentals

GMP compliance

Reliability track record

Local commute

Job description

Industrial Maintenance Technician - Conveyors & Fluid Power

$31.00/Hour + Premium Overtime Greater Madison Area, WI 2nd Shift

• COMPENSATION: $31.00/hour starting base rate + premium overtime structure (time-and-a-half after 8 daily hours + guaranteed double-time on Sundays) + full benefits package.
• WORK SCHEDULE: 2nd Shift (Monday - Friday daytime/evening alignment) with consistent hours and high-earning overtime availability.
• WORK ENVIRONMENT: Century-old, pristine food processing facility in Greater Madison; non-political, highly collaborative team culture backed by high-end tooling, top-tier safety standards, and strict GMP protocols.
• EXPERIENCE & TECH STACK: 1+ year of dedicated industrial mechanical maintenance; high-speed conveyor networks; fluid power loops (high-pressure hydraulics & pneumatics); mechanical drive assemblies; basic structural welding/fabrication.
• COMPANY STABILITY & CULTURE: Legendary 100-year-old food manufacturing leader with a multi-decade track record of zero layoffs, massive investment in upskilling/training, and long-tenured employees.
• REQUIREMENTS / COMPLIANCE: US Citizen or Green Card holder; reside within a 45-minute daily commute of Greater Madison, WI.

If you are an industrial maintenance professional looking to trade corporate volatility and cutting-corner safety cultures for genuine stability, high-caliber training, and professional respect, this role offers an ideal long-term home. Operating as a legendary, century-old food manufacturing leader in the Greater Madison area, this organization has spent the last 100 years building a reputation centered on employee well-being, craftsmanship, and workplace safety.

Leadership invests heavily in setting the maintenance team up to succeed from day one, providing world-class training, high-end tools, and a facility where safety is non-negotiable. You will join a positive, non-political 2nd shift where team members look out for one another and take pride in keeping high-speed processing machinery running smoothly. Backed by an industry-leading overtime model - including time-and-a-half after 8 daily hours and guaranteed double-time on Sundays - this environment rewards your dedication while offering unmatched career stability.

What You Will Be Doing (Daily Responsibilities)

• Maintain High-Speed Processing Lines: Execute comprehensive mechanical troubleshooting, rapid fault-tracing, and emergency breakdown repairs across high-speed packaging equipment and processing cells.
• Service Conveyors & Drive Assemblies: Troubleshoot, rebuild, and optimize complex conveyor networks, high-speed belts, sortation lines, gearboxes, and mechanical drive assemblies.
• Diagnose Fluid Power Systems: Inspect, overhaul, and service high-pressure pneumatic systems, pneumatic valves, hydraulic pumps, cylinders, and fluid distribution loops safely.
• Execute Structural Modifications: Utilize MIG/TIG welding equipment to modify machinery frameworks, fabricate brackets, repair machine guards, and reinforce production components.
• Maintain Regulatory Compliance: Partner closely with floor leadership to ensure all equipment and work areas adhere to strict sanitation guidelines, safety protocols, and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

What We Are Looking For (Requirements & Qualifications)

• 1+ Year Mechanical Maintenance Depth: Verifiable experience maintaining and repairing machinery in a fast-paced production setting, with core strength in hydraulics, pneumatics, and conveyors.
• Fabrication & Welding Fundamentals: Demonstrated ability to perform basic structural welding, torch cutting, and metal fitting for machinery repair applications.
• Regulated Facility Readiness: Full comfort working in a food-safe processing environment with a strict personal commitment to workplace cleanliness, safety standards, and GMP compliance.
• Proven Tenure & Reliability: Stable employment background showing strong daily attendance, safety dedication, and solid teamwork with past employers.
• Local Commute: Residence established within a comfortable, daily 45-minute driving radius of the Greater Madison, WI area.
• Compliance & Legal Authorization: Must be a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident (Green Card holder).

Preferred Technical Assets (Bonus Skills)

• Food / Beverage Industry Experience: Prior background working inside a USDA, FDA, or SQF-regulated food processing or pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
• High-Speed Packaging Machinery: Exposure to automated pouchers, shrink wrappers, cartoners, or rotary labeling equipment.
• Basic Electrical / Motor Controls: Hands-on ability to wire AC motors, check fuses, and safely troubleshoot basic 24V/120V sensor circuits.