Industrial Night Mechanic

Aerotek; Fargo (ND); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Aerotek is seeking an Industrial Mechanic for a high-volume baking plant in Fargo, ND. You will maintain, troubleshoot, and repair conveyors, ovens, mixers, and related equipment, using mechanical, electrical, and automated systems to keep lines running safely.

The role emphasizes hands-on maintenance, preventative tasks, and meticulous documentation in a regulated food production environment. Night shift with rotating schedule is typical; welding and fabrication skills are valued.

Qualifications

• Experience in food production or regulated manufacturing.
• Automation systems integration experience.
• Welding experience beyond basic tasks is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair production equipment in a baking plant.
• Perform daily preventative maintenance with a checklist.
• Inspect and repair conveyor belts and components to keep lines running.
• Fabricate replacement parts using welding and basic fabrication.
• Read schematics and diagnose mechanical and electrical issues.
• Assist with installation and troubleshooting of VFDs and PLC I/O.

Skills

Mechanical knowledge

Industrial equipment

Electrical knowledge

PLC I/O

Production machinery

Metal fabrication

Schematics reading

Attention to detail

Troubleshooting

Electrical wiring

Tools

Welding equipment

Bench tools

VFDs

Job description

Job Title: Industrial Mechanic

Job Description

This role is responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing a wide range of production equipment in a high-volume industrial baking plant. The industrial mechanic works with mechanical, electrical, and automated systems to ensure continuous, safe, and efficient operation of conveyors, ovens, mixers, and related machinery. The position combines hands-on maintenance, preventative work, and detailed documentation in a regulated food production environment.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair all types of production equipment used in an industrial baking plant, including conveyors, ovens, heaters, mixers, rolling systems, and basic heating and cooling systems.
• Perform daily preventative maintenance tasks using a structured checklist and complete any urgent or emergency maintenance needs as they arise.
• Work with conveyor belt systems to inspect, adjust, repair, and replace components to keep lines running smoothly and safely.
• Use basic bench top tools and welding equipment to fabricate replacement parts for machinery when needed.
• Select and use appropriate materials and supplies on the correct machinery, including food-grade materials where required.
• Assist equipment operators during production changeovers, supporting two changeovers per day and ensuring equipment is properly set up for the next run.
• Participate in the two-hour test runs between changeovers to identify and troubleshoot equipment issues before dough is added.
• Document all maintenance activities thoroughly and accurately to meet food production facility requirements and maintain complete maintenance logs.
• Follow established safety procedures and standards while working with mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated systems.
• Collaborate with other maintenance technicians and production staff to minimize downtime and improve equipment reliability.
• Support basic cleaning and changeover tasks, especially during the training period, while learning the layout and systems of the plant.
• Read and interpret schematics and technical documentation to diagnose and resolve mechanical and electrical issues.
• Assist with installation, adjustment, and troubleshooting of variable frequency drives (VFDs) and PLC input/output systems.
• Apply strong attention to detail to ensure all work meets quality, safety, and food-grade standards.

Essential Skills

• General mechanical knowledge of how components work together, including gears, conveyors, bearings, bushings, hand tools, and power tools.
• Hands-on experience with automated or production equipment; automotive mechanical experience is also considered relevant.
• Strong electrical knowledge, including understanding positive, negative, and ground wiring, troubleshooting shorts and surges, and installing and troubleshooting VFDs.
• Ability to operate, troubleshoot, edit, or work with PLC input/output systems.
• Mechanical aptitude with experience working on production machinery and equipment.
• Ability to perform basic metal fabrication, including drilling, finishing, and welding, using a limited but capable shop setup.
• Experience with troubleshooting and repair of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and automated systems.
• Ability to read and interpret schematics for mechanical and electrical systems.
• High attention to detail, especially in completing logs fully and using appropriate food-grade materials where required.
• Strong troubleshooting skills in a production environment with the ability to quickly diagnose and resolve issues.
• Comfort working with electrical wiring and components in an industrial setting.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in a food production or similar regulated manufacturing environment.
• Background working with industrial baking or high-volume production equipment.
• Familiarity with automation systems and production line integration.
• Experience with fabrication and welding beyond basic tasks is beneficial.
• Comfort working in warm environments and around loud machinery.
• Willingness to work night shifts and a rotating schedule in a 24/7/365 facility.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with maintenance technicians, operators, and leadership.
• Ability to learn quickly during an extended training and shadowing period and apply that knowledge independently.

Why Work Here?

The organization offers highly competitive benefits, including comprehensive medical coverage that is described as among the best in the area. You join a well-staffed maintenance team that supports each other through on-shift coverage and on-call support, creating a collaborative and reliable work environment. The structured training period allows you to learn the plant, equipment, and processes thoroughly before taking on full responsibility, supporting long-term success. The facility operates with standardized uniforms and clear procedures, providing a professional, consistent, and safety-focused workplace.

Work Environment

The role is based in a high-volume production environment that operates 24/7/365 with four different shifts. The primary opening is on the night shift (8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.) with a rotating schedule of two days on, two days off, three days on, two days off, two days on, and three days off; training typically occurs on the day shift for approximately one month. The plant can become warm, especially in the summer, and certain areas, such as pan stacking, can be loud. There is always at least two maintenance technicians on schedule, plus one person on call, within a total maintenance team of 11 technicians and additional leadership support. Because this is a food production facility, employees must wear hair nets and beard guards when working around food. The company provides standardized uniforms with name tags for all employees, and candidates must supply steel-toed, safety-sole boots. The work involves regular use of mechanical, electrical, fabrication, welding, and troubleshooting tools, as well as interaction with automated systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, VFDs, and PLCs in a fast-paced industrial baking environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fargo, ND.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $36.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fargo, ND.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 5, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Fargo,ND.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.