Maintenance Technician - 1st Shift

Sfdbrands; Peru (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Health insurance

Education benefit

Tuition assistance

Career growth

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in the United States seeks a skilled Maintenance Mechanic to keep state-of-the-art food processing equipment running at peak performance. You'll diagnose and repair machinery such as conveyors, pumps, sizers, and hydraulic units, ensuring minimal downtime and safe operation.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED and 1+ years in industrial mechanical maintenance or 4 years direct experience; strong mechanical aptitude and clear English communication are essential.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1+ year in industrial mechanical maintenance or 4 years direct experience.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot independently.
• Effective communication in English (reading, writing, speaking).

Responsibilities

• Repair and troubleshoot a wide range of food processing equipment including sizers, stuffers, vacuum pumps, conveyors, slicers, injectors, microwaves and hydraulic units.
• Replace belts, sprockets, gears, chains and valves; rebuild pumps, gearboxes and valves.
• Maintain hydraulic, pneumatic and mechanical systems and address wear; weld components as needed.
• Perform preventative maintenance and assist with equipment installation by connecting lines and aligning machinery.
• Collaborate with Crew Leader and Supervisor to ensure reliability and operational excellence.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

English proficiency

Forklift operation

Education

HS diploma or GED

Tools

Hand tools

Test meters

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.

Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages:

• Competitive Starting Pay - $28.85/hr-$35.45/hr
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More
• Education benefit available to full and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Opportunities for career growth, professional development, and tuition assistance

The Value You’ll Bring

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. Are you a talented mechanic searching for a career that offers excitement, growth, and recognition for your expertise? At Smithfield, you’ll be the heartbeat of our operations, keeping state-of-the-art food processing equipment running at peak performance. From troubleshooting and repairing advanced machinery to working on cutting-edge systems like conveyors, vacuum pumps, and hydraulic units, no two days are the same. Join a team that values your skills, empowers your success, and rewards your dedication with opportunities to grow and thrive. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, we can’t wait to welcome you aboard!

What You’ll Do

• Repair and Troubleshooting: You’ll diagnose and repair a wide range of food processing equipment, including sizers, stuffers, vacuum pumps, conveyors, slicers, injectors, microwaves, and hydraulic units, keeping operations running smoothly.
• Component Replacement and Rebuilds: Take charge of replacing belts, sprockets, gears, chains, and valves while rebuilding essential components like pumps, gearboxes, and valves to ensure equipment stays in top condition.
• Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Mechanical Maintenance: Your expertise will be critical in troubleshooting and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems, addressing mechanical wear issues, welding machine components, and maintaining proper machine safety features.
• Preventative Maintenance and Installation: You’ll perform regular preventative maintenance, such as lubricating parts, drives, and chains, and handle equipment installations by connecting air, water, and gas lines, as well as aligning and leveling machinery, utilizing hand tools, test meters, controls, etc.
• Team Collaboration and Support: Work closely with your Crew Leader and Supervisor, taking on additional tasks and contributing to the success of the team by ensuring equipment reliability and operational excellence.

What We’re Seeking

• 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.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to work independently and troubleshoot effectively.
• Effective communication skills, including proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out

• Vocational or technical diploma, or associate degree in maintenance (preferred)
• Excel in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while maintaining a respectful and team-oriented approach.
• Ability to operate a forklift, genie lift or scissor lift or other powered industrial trucks (PIT).
• Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships and contribute to a supportive and productive work environment with all levels of team personnel including outside contractors.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The majority of the time is spent in the plant environment and will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Requires frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and the ability to lift up to 60 lbs. Loud noise levels require hearing protection; vision requirements include close, distance, and adjustable focus.

IndSPR-M/E Relocation Package Available

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.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. “Good food. Responsibly.®” is more than just our tagline; it’s what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities.

Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.

Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on-demand courses, professional certificates, and skill-based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high- potential talent.

We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities.

Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.