Maintenance Technician

Smithfield Foods; Kentucky; On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods is seeking a Maintenance Technician to keep our plant running smoothly in a fast-paced food processing environment. You will perform electrical and mechanical maintenance, troubleshoot, and repair equipment, using welding and fabrication skills to keep production on track.

You will manage work orders in SAP, support emergency responses, and follow strict safety protocols to ensure high-quality, safe operations across the facility.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1+ years in industrial mechanical maintenance or 4 years in related field.
• Technical/Vocational Diploma or associate degree in maintenance is preferred.
• Ability to work in a team and interact with all levels of personnel and contractors.
• Ability to operate a forklift or other powered industrial trucks (PIT).
• Ability to read and follow work orders, write daily reports, and translate equipment manuals.

Responsibilities

• Efficient Work Order & Emergency Response - Review work orders, assess tools, equipment, time and parts; use SAP to create work orders; respond quickly to emergencies; read blueprints and schematics to diagnose issues.
• Hands-On Maintenance & Equipment Repair - Monitor machinery, disassemble and troubleshoot, replace faulty parts, test functionality, fabricate replacement parts as needed, perform preventive maintenance.
• Installation & System Maintenance - Install and maintain equipment and utilities (electrical, water, gas, drains); ensure compliance with specs and safety regulations.
• Technical Skills & Problem-Solving - Use basic hand tools, follow preventive/predictive maintenance schedules to minimize downtime across plant systems.
• Safety First! - Follow all safety protocols including LOCKOUT/TAGOUT and GMPs to maintain a safe, compliant work environment.

Skills

Electrical controls

Fluid power

Mechanical systems

Welding

Fabrication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical/Vocational Diploma or Associate degree (preferred)

Tools

SAP

Job description

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that’s sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

The Maintenance Technician is the go-to for keeping our plant running smoothly, responsible for maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing a wide range of electrical and mechanical equipment in our fast-paced food processing environment. You’ll be a jack-of-all-trades, bringing your expertise in electrical controls , fluid power , mechanical systems , welding , and fabrication to solve complex issues and keep production on track.

From troubleshooting to hands-on repairs, you’ll tackle everything from routine maintenance to more challenging system fixes, all while providing critical technical support across the entire operation. The role involves working on systems of varying complexity, requiring your sharp problem-solving skills and ability to think on your feet—ensuring equipment runs smoothly and production never skips a beat. Ready to make an impact with every fix you perform? This role offers both challenge and variety in a dynamic, high-energy environment!

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Efficient Work Order & Emergency Response - Review work orders to assess the tools, equipment, time, manpower, parts, and supplies needed for each task—ensuring you’re always prepared. Use SAP to create work orders. Respond quickly to emergency calls, showing up with the right tools and equipment to get the job done fast and efficiently. Read and interpret technical documents such as blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, and manuals to diagnose and repair complex issues.
• Hands-On Maintenance & Equipment Repair - Monitor machinery while in operation to spot malfunctions early, ensuring production stays on track. Disassemble and troubleshoot mechanical equipment, pinpoint faulty parts, replace and reassemble with precision, and test to ensure proper functionality. Fabricate replacement parts when necessary, using skills like welding, cutting, and sheet metal work to ensure repairs are done right. Perform regular preventive maintenance on a wide range of mechanical systems, including pumps, packaging, slicing equipment, and more, keeping everything running smoothly.
• Installation & System Maintenance - Take charge of installing and maintaining essential systems, from mechanical equipment and piping to electrical controls—ensuring everything meets manufacturer specs and local safety regulations. Install new equipment and utilities, including electrical, water, gas, and drain lines, to keep operations running at full capacity.
• Technical Skills & Problem-Solving - Stay sharp with a working knowledge of small hand tools and devices used in general mechanical maintenance—ready to tackle a variety of tasks with ease. Adhere to preventive and predictive maintenance schedules to ensure optimal performance and minimal downtime of all plant systems.
• Safety First! You’ll follow all company safety protocols, including LOCKOUT/TAGOUT procedures, and adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) to maintain a safe, compliant, and high-performance environment. Your skills and attention to detail will directly contribute to the success of the team and the plant as a whole!

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 1+ years of related experience and/or training in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing environment; or 4 years’ direct experience in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing maintenance environment.
• Vocational Diploma, Technical Diploma or associate degree from a technical maintenance or vocational school. (Preferred).
• Possess the ability to function effectively in a team environment and interact productively with all levels of team personnel and outside contractors.
• Ability to operate a forklift, genie lift or scissor lift or other powered industrial trucks (PIT).
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to read and execute work order, write daily reports, and translate equipment manuals.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.