Maintenance Lead

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 63,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. is seeking a Maintenance Lead in San Diego to direct a team of technicians, manage equipment upkeep, and ensure safety and reliability of plant systems.

The role covers mechanical and electrical maintenance, PLC controls, high voltage work, and preventative programs in a food manufacturing setting. The candidate will lead troubleshooting, coordinate shutdowns, and drive continuous improvement while collaborating with operations and management to meet

Qualifications

• 2–4 years of proven work experience in electrical/electronic and mechanical systems.
• Associate degree or technical degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Ability to read schematics and blueprints.
• Experience with 480/230 V 3-phase, 120 V, and 24 V systems.
• Food manufacturing experience is a plus.
• Industrial ammonia refrigeration and boiler knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Instructs and guides maintenance technicians as a lead in the team.
• Supports supervisor in task execution and escalates complex issues.
• Oversees maintenance technicians' performance and assignments.
• Designates and monitors work to minimize downtime and meet targets.
• Ensures safety compliance and maintains a safe work environment.
• Keeps equipment, tools, and shop clean and organized.
• Performs predictive checks and schedules inspections with planner.
• Oversees installations, relocations, startups and shutdowns of equipment.
• Performs TPM and continuous improvement activities.
• Communicates project status and timelines with management and operators.
• Develops maintenance skills across mechanical, electrical, controls, and welding.
• Maintains knowledge of plant equipment such as kettles, pumps, wrappers, and detectors.

Skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Mechanical systems

PLC and controls

High voltage systems

Team leadership

Safety compliance

Reading blueprints/diagrams

Welding and fabrication

Communication with operators

Education

Associate Degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or Technology

Tools

Multimeter

Thermal imaging camera

Power tools

PLC programming tools

Job description

Maintenance Lead

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2026-10472

Type: Regular Full-Time

# of Openings: 1

Category: Maintenance and Engineering

San Diego Plant

Overview

This position is responsible for leading and organizing a team of maintenance technicians actively involved in the maintaining of plant food manufacturing equipment and facility utilities, troubleshooting faulty devices/systems as well as performing regularly scheduled maintenance on all processing and packaging equipment. The position requires proficiency and thorough understanding of various machine systems including but not limited to, mechanical systems, electrical and high voltage systems, PLC and controls systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, welding and fabrication of equipment in a food manufacturing plant. The ability to function effectively in a team environment and interact productively with all levels of management and operations is required.

Responsibilities

• Instructs and offers guidance and directives to a team of maintenance technicians while being involved in one or more of the skilled activities.
• Gives support to supervisor and/or manager in regards to accomplishing tasks while referring uncommon technical issues to the supervisor.
• Offers inputs into maintenance technician performance evaluations since the lead role oversees the duties of assigned maintenance technicians.
• Designates and monitors the work of maintenance personnel in order to complete scheduled/planned work activities while keeping mechanical downtime to a minimum level to achieve department’s commitments and targets.
• Guarantees adherence to safety practices and principles, and to the relevant Federal, State, and Local codes and promotes a safe work environment.
• Ensures the maintenance of equipment, tools and other belongings in a clean, secure, and appropriate working condition and for the maintenance shop to be neat and clean.
• Maintains, troubleshoots and repairs various production equipment systems and devices and performs building and grounds maintenance and facility repairs as needed to include carpentry, plumbing, and painting.
• Performs regular equipment checks and completes the required predictive checklists to identify early signs of potential equipment failures and minimize unplanned downtime, and identify opportunities for improvement. Collaborate within the immediate supervisor and maintenance planner to schedule and develop inspection routines and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Performs new installations and relocations of new/existing equipment, regular and emergency startups and shutdowns of equipment in accordance with company standard operating procedures and safety requirements.
• Performs high quality work that meets Industry accepted maintenance practices to maintain compliance with external regulatory agencies.
• Assist other Team Leaders and the line operators in efficient line start up and equipment adjustments. Assist other maintenance department staff with technical troubleshooting.
• Keeps immediate supervisor and/or manager up to date on all on-going work assignments, provides consistent updates in regards to project status, completion time projections, and any problems that may have arisen during the course of the project.
• Continues to develop maintenance technical skills within mechanical, electrical, controls, hydraulic, pneumatic, welding and fabrication skillset.
• Increases equipment specific knowledge for maintenance activities on factory equipment such as cook kettles, pumps, mixers, food formers, ovens, fillers, food assembly equipment, fryers, primary packaging equipment such as wrappers, secondary packaging equipment such as formers and closers, metal detectors and palletizing equipment.
• Learns and demonstrates our AFNA One Team culture as defined through effective teamwork, communication, leadership, production interaction and support, etc.
• Participates within our TPM (total performance management) journey through small group activities (NWT) and continuous improvement methodology (STPD and BDA).
• Adhere to all company policies and procedures.
• Perform daily reporting duties as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• #INDSAN

Qualifications

Education Level Description

2 Year / Associate Degree Associate Degree or other technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Technology or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience

Minimum Years of Experience Comments

2 to 4 years 3-5 years of proven work experience on electrical/electronic systems, mechanical systems, hydraulic and pneumatic systems is required with the ability to demonstrate high proficiency in these areas.

Certifications

• Industrial ammonia refrigeration certification is a plus. Industrial boiler certification is a plus'

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities List any program-based or field knowledge. Include skills/abilities needed to perform the job

• Effectiveness in prioritizing assigned duties and evaluating the work of personnel.
• Outstanding skills for offering training and leadership to staff for them to be able to successfully carry out diverse duties associated with the building trades.
• Ability to interpret, illustrate, and apply regulation codes and rules.
• Outstanding ability to interpret sketches, blueprints, and work orders to other personnel.
• Functional knowledge of standard manufacturing practices including, but not limited to: general safety, lock-out tag-out, forklift safety, ARC Flash and electrostatic discharge awareness.
• Electrical skills in troubleshooting and repairing 480/230 v 3ph.120 v and 24v systems with the ability to read and understand schematics, blue prints and PLC ladder logic.
• Must be able to work well with all levels of personnel whether individually or in a team environment, and especially must be able to interface and communicate with line operators in order to assist with repairs and troubleshooting. Must possess a high level of written and verbal communication skills, critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Must have working knowledge of testing equipment and devices including the use of Multi-meter, Thermal imaging camera, and basic hand and power tools.
• Experience and ability to work in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Basic computer skills is required (Microsoft windows, MS Office Suite and outlook email)
• Welding and fabrication experience is a plus
• Foods manufacturing experience is a big plus
• Industrial ammonia refrigeration system knowledge and/or certification is a plus
• Industrial boiler system knowledge and/or certification is a plus

Working Conditions

The working conditions of this job require the employee to frequently be exposed to wet, humid, and extremely cold conditions. Employee is occasionally exposed to vibration and the noise level can be moderate. To protect against these conditions, frequent use of personal protective equipment is required.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands Hardcoded

Sit -Frequent

Stand -Frequent

Walk- Frequent

Lift- Frequent

Bend/Twist- Frequent

Reach- Frequent

Vision - Close vision and the ability to adjust focus. Constant

Other Physical Demands or Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, climb stairs and ladders, and reach with hands and arms. Position occasionally requires climbing to high elevations. The employee is required to stand; use hands and fingers to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, occasionally lift and/or move up to 75 pounds, and at times up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to climb in overhead structures, to work beneath machines and in close quarters performing analysis and repair work. Exposed to high voltage electricity, hazardous materials and chemicals used in the manufacturing and cleaning process.

AAP/EEO STATEMENT

Ajinomoto Foods North America, Inc. (AFNA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. AFNA does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis protected by stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need. stated, federal, or local law. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

Pay Range: $46-48/hr DOE

Ajinomoto Foods Benefits | Benefits Hub 2026

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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