Industrial Mechanic

GRIT Staffing & HR Solutions; New Jersey; On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

GRIT Staffing & HR Solutions is seeking a Packaging Mechanic for a pharmaceutical manufacturer in New Jersey. This hands-on role maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs packaging equipment to minimize downtime in a regulated facility.

The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with industrial packaging machinery, strong mechanical and electrical skills, and can perform line changeovers. 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shifts are available with overtime as needed to support production demands.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3–5 years of hands-on experience repairing and maintaining packaging equipment or industrial machinery.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills to diagnose equipment issues.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, preventive maintenance, and changeovers.
• LOTO procedures and workplace safety practices.
• Ability to read and interpret technical diagrams, gauges, and equipment documentation.
• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Experience in a fast-paced, regulated (cGMP) manufacturing environment.
• Willingness to work 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift and overtime as needed.

Responsibilities

• Perform preventive maintenance on packaging equipment to minimize downtime.
• Troubleshoot and repair equipment to restore proper operation.
• Support line changeovers and equipment adjustments to meet production needs.
• Maintain equipment performance and notify supervisors of major breakdowns.
• Maintain packaging systems, including coding, labeling, filling, and inspection equipment.
• Ensure cGMP compliance in all maintenance activities.
• Follow LOTO and other safety practices; report hazards.
• Coordinate with production teams on maintenance needs and updates.
• Maintain organized tools and work areas with quality workmanship.
• Respond promptly to equipment issues to support production flow.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Preventive maintenance

Electrical systems

LOTO safety

Reading technical diagrams

Safety compliance

Equipment changeovers

Packaging equipment familiarity

Teamwork and communication

HMI and VFD knowledge

Education

Technical school certification or related technical training

Tools

IWK packaging equipment

Jones cartoners

Uhlmann cartoners

Hitachi inkjet coders

Videojet inkjet coders

Domino inkjet coders

Herma labelers

NJM labelers

Label-Aire labelers

IPS slat fillers

MPS slat fillers

Keyence vision systems

Cognex vision systems

Allen-Bradley HMI

VFD systems

Job description

Our client is a pharmaceutical manufacturing company operating in a regulated, cGMP-compliant environment, focused on quality, safety, and operational efficiency. The organization supports high-volume production and packaging operations, maintaining strict standards across all manufacturing processes.

Role Overview:

The Packaging Mechanic is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing packaging equipment to ensure reliable operation and minimize production downtime. This is a hands‑on role requiring mechanical and electrical knowledge, preventive maintenance skills, and the ability to support equipment changeovers in a regulated manufacturing environment.

The ideal candidate has hands‑on experience maintaining industrial packaging machinery, troubleshooting equipment issues, and following established safety and quality procedures.

This position is available on 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift, with overtime, extended hours, and weekend work as needed to support production demands.

Job Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 3–5 years of hands‑on experience repairing and maintaining packaging equipment or industrial machinery, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and troubleshooting skills to diagnose and resolve equipment issues.
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, preventive maintenance, equipment adjustments, and changeovers.
• Knowledge of lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures and workplace safety practices.
• Ability to read and interpret technical diagrams, gauges, tables, and equipment documentation.
• Basic math skills, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment, preferably in a regulated or cGMP‑compliant facility.
• Availability to work 1st, 2nd, or 3rd shift, depending on the assigned schedule.
• Flexibility to work overtime, extended hours, and weekends as needed.

Personal Attributes / Skills:

• Strong mechanical aptitude and practical problem‑solving skills.
• Attention to detail when performing equipment maintenance, repairs, and adjustments.
• Technical school certification or related technical training preferred.
• Familiarity with machine shop equipment, hand tools, and maintenance tools.
• Familiarity with packaging equipment, including IWK, Jones, and Uhlmann cartoners; Hitachi, Videojet, and Domino inkjet coders; Herma, NJM, and Label‑Aire labelers; IPS and MPS slat fillers; and Keyence and Cognex vision QC/QA systems preferred.
• Familiarity with Allen‑Bradley HMI and VFD systems preferred.
• Effective communication and teamwork when coordinating with production personnel and supervisors.
• Accountability and ownership of assigned maintenance tasks.
• Commitment to workplace safety, equipment reliability, and quality standards.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing and walking throughout the manufacturing facility.
• Bending, reaching, and handling tools while inspecting, adjusting, and repairing equipment.
• Hands‑on work around packaging machinery, moving equipment, and industrial materials.
• Repetitive maintenance tasks and equipment adjustments throughout the shift.
• Use of required personal protective equipment (PPE) and compliance with plant safety procedures

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform Preventive Maintenance: Conduct routine inspections and scheduled maintenance on packaging equipment to minimize downtime and maintain reliability.
• Troubleshoot and Repair Equipment: Diagnose mechanical and equipment‑related issues and perform repairs to restore proper operation.
• Support Equipment Changeovers: Assist with line changeovers, machine adjustments, and setup activities to meet production requirements.
• Maintain Equipment Performance: Notify supervisors of breakdowns exceeding 20 minutes and support timely resolution.
• Maintain Packaging Systems: Support the maintenance and troubleshooting of packaging machinery, including coding, labeling, filling, and inspection equipment as applicable.
• Ensure cGMP Compliance: Perform maintenance activities in accordance with cGMP standards, established procedures, and applicable environmental requirements.
• Follow Safety Procedures: Apply LOTO and other required safety practices; identify and report hazards or unsafe equipment conditions.
• Coordinate with Production Teams: Communicate equipment issues, maintenance needs, and operational updates to supervisors and production personnel.
• Maintain Work Standards: Keep tools and work areas organized and demonstrate quality workmanship, accountability, and ownership of assigned tasks.
• Support Production Operations: Respond to equipment issues and complete maintenance tasks promptly to help maintain efficient production flow.
• Perform other job‑related duties as assigned.

About Grit Staffing and HR Solutions:

GRIT Staffing & HR Solutions is a boutique recruiting and HR consulting firm founded and led by seasoned Senior HR leaders. We partner with top companies to place high‑performing professionals in legal, HR, supply chain, operations, and C‑Suite corporate roles.

Unlike traditional recruiters, we act as strategic partners and extensions of our clients’ teams, leveraging our deep HR expertise to support talent strategy, workforce planning, and organizational growth. By combining hands‑on experience with agility and insight, we help companies build strong, high‑performing teams that drive business success.

GRIT Staffing & HR Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and applicants. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us at [e-mail] so we can assist you.