Maintenance & Facilities Technician I

Half Acre Beer Company x Maplewood Brewery and Distillery; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Faraway Company, a collaboration between Half Acre Beer Company and Maplewood Brewery and Distillery, is seeking a Maintenance Technician to join the 2nd shift team at the Balmoral facility. You will perform repairs on brewing production equipment and support utility systems to maximize uptime.

Ideal candidates have 3+ years in food/beverage maintenance, strong electrical/mechanical skills, and experience with CMMS, pumps, drives, and PLCs (Siemens/Allen-Bradley).

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• 3+ years maintenance experience in food/beverage or packaging preferred.
• Ability to read schematics and equipment manuals.
• Experience with pumps, motors, drives, hydraulics, pneumatics, gearboxes, and compressed air systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical and electrical trades.
• Familiarity with CMMS software.

Responsibilities

• Commitment to company safety program and GMPs per OSHA.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair brewery production equipment including can filler, seamer, keg line, and brewhouse.
• Support utilities and facilities equipment such as glycol chillers, boilers, HVAC systems, pumps, gearboxes, and kitchen equipment.
• Perform preventive maintenance and corrective repairs using CMMS to record repair details and track assets.
• Work on mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to maximize uptime.
• Coordinate with external vendors, contractors, and equipment manufacturers to service equipment.
• Identify root causes of equipment issues and implement lasting solutions.
• Document work, communicate with staff, and contribute to safety culture.
• Occasionally support special projects and improvements across the brewery.
• Keep work area clean and organized.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Maintenance experience

Troubleshooting

Read schematics

Pumps, motors, drives

Pneumatics & hydraulics

Siemens PLCs / Allen-Bradley PLCs

CMMS

Reading equipment manuals

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Siemens PLCs

Allen-Bradley PLCs

CMMS software

Job description

JOB SUMMARY:This position is a member of the Maintenance Team at The Faraway Company (Half Acre Beer Company x Maplewood Brewery and Distillery) and reports to the Maintenance & Facilities Manager. Hours are typically 2nd shift, Tuesday through Saturday, although exact hours may vary. Training will occur Monday-Friday 1st shift. The company has three locations to maintain: this position will almost exclusively work at the main production facility at the Balmoral location, although some visits to the Logan Square and Glen Ellyn locations will be required.DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:Commitment to company safety program and ensuring company safety standards set by The Faraway Company and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair brewery production equipment including KHS can filler, Ferrum seamer, m+f keg line, and Braukon brewhouseSupport utilities and facilities equipment such as glycol chillers, boilers, HVAC systems, pumps, gearboxes, and kitchen equipmentPerform preventive maintenance and corrective repairs using our CMMS system to stay ahead of breakdowns and record repair details, and track assetsWork on mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to ensure maximum uptimeWork directly with external vendors, contractors, and equipment manufacturers to coordinate service, source parts, and ensure maximum equipment uptimeIdentify root causes of equipment issues and implement lasting solutionsDocument work, communicate effectively with staff, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and safetyOccasionally support special projects and improvements across the breweryKeeps work area clean and organizedOther duties as assignedREQUIRED SKILLS/ABILITIES:High school diploma or equivalentMust be 21+ years oldAbility to work independently while staying connected to the team’s priorities. Strong ability to work productively while unsupervised3+ years maintenance experience (food/beverage or packaging industry preferred)Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical and electrical tradesFamiliarity with pumps, motors, drives, hydraulics, pneumatics, gearboxes, and compressed air systemsComputer skills, Microsoft Office suite a plusAbility to read schematics and equipment manualsStrong ability to work independently and productively, while staying connected to the team’s prioritiesBENEFICIAL EXPERIENCE:Can seaming and processing experienceTechnical certificationsKnowledge of Siemens or Allen Bradley PLCWelding and PLC troubleshooting experienceFork truck trainingCMMS softwarePHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:Ability to lift up to 65 lbs. and maneuver heavy equipment with assistanceComfortable climbing ladders, stairs, and working in hot/cold/wet/loud/indoor/outdoor environmentsAbility to stoop, kneel, crouch, and work under/around conveyors and equipmentClose vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus and the ability to see color; either with or without accommodation.