Maintenance Technician

WMFHA; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

WMFHA in Chicago, IL is seeking a Maintenance and Commissioning Technician to keep production equipment running smoothly. You will diagnose faults, repair mechanical and electrical components, and participate in startups and equipment modifications.

This hands-on role rewards practical problem-solving and the ability to work with older machinery. A technical associate degree or related trade training is preferred, and experience with industrial maintenance is valued.

Qualifications

• Technical college education or an associate degree in engineering technology or a related trade is valuable.
• Hands-on experience with maintenance, repair or installation of industrial equipment.
• Ability to diagnose problems and perform practical repairs.
• Willingness to work with older equipment and assess when to repair or modify.
• Experience interpreting manuals and diagrams.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot and repair manufacturing equipment.
• Diagnose recurring issues and implement durable repairs.
• Support preventive maintenance and improvements.
• Assist with equipment start-ups, setup and commissioning.
• Coordinate with production and maintenance teams.
• Document repairs and changes per site procedures.
• Work with external technicians and suppliers when needed.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Hands-on work

Diagnostics

Electrical/mechanical troubleshooting

Start-up/commissioning

Education

Technical college or associate degree in engineering tech/trade

Job description

Maintenance and Commissioning Technician

Chicago, Illinois | Full-time | $80,000–$85,000 annually

Put your equipment knowledge to work and help improve how the plant runs

Our client is an established North American manufacturer with deep ties to the consumer packaged goods industry, producing household and cleaning products for major brands and retail customers.

The company is looking for a hands-on technical professional for its longstanding Chicago manufacturing operation. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys understanding machinery, making dependable repairs and helping improve how equipment and production processes work together.

The facility includes older equipment that rewards mechanical experience, resourcefulness and sound judgment. Someone who can diagnose a persistent problem, make a practical repair and recognize where a modification would help can make a meaningful contribution here.

Your background might be in industrial maintenance, millwright work, equipment service, engineering technology or engineering. What matters most is what you can personally do with equipment and how you approach solving problems.

The role

You will work closely with production, maintenance and outside equipment specialists to keep equipment operating, investigate recurring problems and support modifications, installations and startups.

We are looking for someone who can get a machine running and then consider what would help it run better. That means understanding wear, setup, operating conditions and how one machine affects the equipment around it.

Your practical knowledge will also help shape smaller upgrades: what should change, how the work can be completed and what needs to be checked before equipment returns to production.

What you will do

• Troubleshoot and repair manufacturing and processing equipment.
• Diagnose problems on established machinery through observation, equipment information and practical investigation.
• Investigate recurring breakdowns and help implement lasting repairs and reliability improvements.
• Support preventive maintenance and identify equipment conditions that need attention.
• Help modify, install, set up, test and commission equipment.
• Consider material flow, operator access and maintenance access when recommending equipment or layout changes.
• Plan and carry out smaller equipment improvements, including identifying parts, materials and outside support.
• Work with suppliers, service technicians and contractors to resolve problems and complete assigned work.
• Coordinate repairs and modifications with production and maintenance.
• Document repairs, equipment changes and follow-up actions while following site safety procedures.

What you bring

• Practical experience maintaining, troubleshooting, repairing or installing industrial equipment.
• Strong mechanical ability and the willingness to perform hands-on work.
• A methodical approach to finding the cause of a problem and checking that the repair works.
• Resourcefulness when working with older equipment, supported by sound judgment about when to repair, modify or seek specialist help.
• An understanding of how equipment condition and setup affect production.
• Ability to use equipment manuals, technical drawings and relevant schematics.
• Clear communication, good organization and dependable follow-through.
• An interest in building long‑term equipment knowledge and taking on greater technical responsibility.

Technical college education, an associate degree, engineering technology training or a relevant trade qualification would be an asset. Strong practical experience is also valued. Engineers with hands‑on equipment experience are welcome; an engineering degree is not required.

Experience in consumer products, chemicals, food, packaging or similar manufacturing environments would be helpful. Electrical troubleshooting, controls, automation and equipment startup experience are additional assets.

Room to develop

Your initial focus will be hands‑on equipment support, reliability and smaller improvements. As you demonstrate your capabilities, there is an opportunity to take greater responsibility for equipment upgrades and technical projects, with support from management, engineering specialists and external partners.

This role offers a path for someone who wants to build on their maintenance experience and develop skills in planning work, coordinating suppliers and contractors, and carrying improvements through to completion.

Compensation and schedule

• Annual salary of $80,000–$85,000, depending on experience.
• Full‑time, on‑site position in Chicago, Illinois.
• Monday–Friday schedule, typically eight to ten hours per day.

If you take pride in understanding machinery, making dependable repairs and finding ways to improve an operation, we would welcome your application.