Maintenance Mechanic — Diesel & Industrial Equipment

Midwest Salt, LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Midwest Salt, LLC in Chicago is seeking a hands-on maintenance mechanic to keep our terminal running—mobile equipment, conveyors, and Class 8 trucks. You’ll diagnose, repair, and maintain equipment, following schematics and OEM manuals to keep operations safe and reliable.

You’ll work under the Plant Manager, performing preventive maintenance, welding, and basic fabrication as needed, while maintaining repair records and ensuring compliance and on-time performance in a dynamic salt distribution

Qualifications

• 3+ years as a diesel mechanic, industrial or plant maintenance mechanic, or millwright.
• FMCSA annual inspector qualification and FMCSA brake inspector qualification.
• Demonstrated hydraulics experience, mobile or industrial.
• Solid knowledge of bearings, gearboxes, belts, alignment, and fasteners.
• Able to read schematics, test circuits, and replace components.
• Able to read technical manuals and diagrams.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Mobile Equipment Maintenance: Maintain and repair diesel-powered mobile equipment, including wheel loaders and yard equipment.
• Truck Fleet Service: Inspect, service, and repair Class 8 trucks, including engines, brakes, suspension, air systems, and DOT-required components.
• Conveyor Maintenance: Service belt conveyors, including tracking, splicing, idlers, pulleys, bearings, gearboxes, and drive motors.
• Diagnostics & Troubleshooting: Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and basic electrical faults, and return equipment to service safely and quickly.
• Work from schematics, hydraulic diagrams, and OEM manuals.
• Preventive Maintenance: Carry out preventive maintenance, including routine oil, filter, and fluid changes, greasing, and tire changes, rotations, and repairs.
• Welding & Fabrication: Perform light welding and fabrication as needed.
• Records & Documentation: Keep accurate equipment and repair records; fill out repair orders and related paperwork.
• Safety & Compliance: Follow all safety and lockout/tagout procedures and support a safe working environment.
• Other Duties: Perform other related duties as directed.

Skills

Diesel mechanic experience

FMCSA inspector qualifications

Hydraulics

Mechanical fundamentals

Electrical troubleshooting

Technical reading

Driver's license

Job description

At Midwest Salt, we don't just deliver salt - we deliver excellence. With almost 40 years in the industry, we've mastered the trifecta: top-quality products, competitive pricing, and reliable, on-time delivery. But what truly sets us apart is our people.

Why Midwest Salt?

We believe in building win-win relationships, not just with our customers and vendors but with our team members too. When you join Midwest Salt, you become part of a dynamic, agile work environment where your ideas and contributions truly matter. We foster a community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. Guided by proven processes, we are committed to helping you reach your career goals as we grow together toward becoming the largest nationwide salt distributor.

About Grit One

Grit One is Midwest Salt with a port address. For almost 40 years, Midwest Salt has kept roads safe across the Midwest with top-quality product, competitive pricing, and on-time delivery. Grit One is where that supply chain starts. Vessels and barges unload at our Port of Chicago terminal, product gets stockpiled, and it moves out fast to the customers who count on us every winter. You get the stability of an established company and the energy of a growing operation. Our port is expanding, and the people we hire now will help build it.

About the Role

We're hiring a hands-on maintenance mechanic to keep our Chicago terminal running: mobile equipment, material-handling conveyors, and Class 8 trucks. This is a broad, single-owner role. You'll be as comfortable diagnosing a wheel loader as you are tracking a belt or changing a truck tire. If you like variety and owning the equipment end to end, this one's for you.

Reporting to the Plant Manager you'll be the go-to person for keeping every piece of equipment safe, reliable, and ready to work.

Key Responsibilities

• Mobile Equipment Maintenance: Maintain and repair diesel-powered mobile equipment, including wheel loaders and yard equipment. Work covers engines, hydraulics, drivetrains, brakes, electrical, and emissions systems.
• Truck Fleet Service: Inspect, service, and repair Class 8 trucks, including engines, brakes, suspension, air systems, and DOT-required components.
• Conveyor Maintenance: Service belt conveyors, including tracking, splicing, idlers, pulleys, bearings, gearboxes, and drive motors.
• Diagnostics & Troubleshooting: Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and basic electrical faults, and return equipment to service safely and quickly.
• Work from schematics, hydraulic diagrams, and OEM manuals.
• Preventive Maintenance: Carry out the preventive-maintenance schedule, including routine oil, filter, and fluid changes on diesel engines and drivetrains, greasing, and truck tire changes, rotations, and repairs.
• Welding & Fabrication: Perform light welding and fabrication as needed.
• Records & Documentation: Keep accurate equipment and repair records. Fill out and submit repair orders and all related paperwork.
• Safety & Compliance: Follow all safety and lockout/tagout procedures and support a safe working environment.
• Other Duties: Perform other related duties as directed.

Skills & Qualifications

• Mechanical Experience: 3+ years as a diesel mechanic, industrial or plant maintenance mechanic, or millwright.
• FMCSA Qualifications: FMCSA annual inspector qualification and FMCSA brake inspector qualification.
• Hydraulics: Demonstrated hydraulics experience, mobile or industrial.
• Mechanical Fundamentals: Solid knowledge of bearings, gearboxes, belts, alignment, and fasteners.
• Electrical Troubleshooting: Able to read schematics, test circuits, and replace components.
• Technical Reading: Able to read technical manuals and diagrams.
• Driver's License: Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with material-handling conveyors.
• OEM engine/system training.
• ASE Medium/Heavy Truck (T-series) certifications.
• EPA Section 609 certification.
• Welding and fabrication skills, including AWS welding certification.
• Forklift certification, or willingness to certify.

Physical & Work Environment

• Able to lift up to 50 lbs, work at heights, and work outdoors in a waterfront terminal across all seasons.
• Comfortable wearing required PPE, including hard hat, eye and hearing protection, steel-toed boots, and gloves.

Why You Should Apply

• Be part of a company that values your success as much as its own.
• Opportunity for growth and development in a supportive environment.
• Work with a team that encourages innovation, collaboration, and learning.