Mechanical Engineer – Maintenance & Continuous Improvement

Cérélia North America; Whitehall (OH); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

Cérélia North America in Ohio is seeking an entry-level Mechanical Engineer to support maintenance operations in a refrigerated dough manufacturing environment. The role blends hands-on maintenance with engineering-driven process improvements, focusing on equipment reliability, PMs, and SOP development.

You will document processes in CMMS, work with cross-functional teams, and learn reliability practices to reduce downtime and improve production quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering is required.
• Entry-level (0–2 years) experience in manufacturing/maintenance is acceptable.
• Internship or co-op in industrial or food manufacturing is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot mechanical and basic electrical issues on production equipment.
• Execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance to reduce downtime.
• Develop and standardize SOPs and documentation in CMMS.
• Read blueprints and schematics to support maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to improve equipment reliability.

Skills

Mechanical systems

Electrical basics

Pneumatics & hydraulics

PLC fundamentals

Read schematics

CMMS MaintainX

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS MaintainX

Read technical drawings

Job description

About The Opportunity

We are seeking an entry-level Mechanical Engineer to support maintenance operations in a refrigerated dough manufacturing environment. This role blends hands-on maintenance technician responsibilities with engineering-focused process improvement initiatives.

The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining and improving equipment reliability, executing preventive and corrective maintenance, and driving operational excellence through development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), process documentation, and continuous improvement projects.

This role plays a critical part in reducing downtime, improving equipment performance, and building sustainable systems that enhance production efficiency and product quality.

This role will report directly to our Maintenance Manager

Key Responsibilities

2. Process Documentation & SOP Development

• Maintenance & Technical Execution
• Troubleshoot mechanical and basic electrical issues on production equipment and restore functionality
• Perform preventive maintenance (PM), predictive, corrective, and condition-based maintenance activities to reduce breakdowns
• Execute scheduled work orders and maintenance inspections during planned downtime windows.
• Operate, set up, start up, adjust, shut down, and perform changeovers on production equipment according to company standards.
• Maintain and improve line equipment reliability and performance.
• Read and interpret blueprints and schematics
• Troubleshoot and repair pneumatic, hydraulic, and steam systems including cylinders, valves, compressors, and piping.
• Support fabrication of small machine parts, guards, and modifications as needed
• Develop, document, and standardize maintenance procedures and workflows using CMMS (MaintainX).
• Create and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and technical documentation for equipment operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
• Translate troubleshooting learnings into standardized procedures to prevent recurring failures
• Support creation of visual aids, job plans, and maintenance standards to improve technician consistency and efficiency
• Ensure accurate documentation of completed work orders, inspections, and improvements within CMMS.
• Continuous Improvement & Reliability Engineering
• Analyze equipment failures and implement corrective actions to eliminate root causes
• Identify opportunities to improve uptime, reduce waste, and optimize maintenance strategies
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on reliability, efficiency, and changeover reduction.
• Support data-driven decision-making using maintenance KPIs (downtime, MTBF, MTTR, etc.)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production flow and material sequencing
• Team Collaboration & Communication
• Coordinate with maintenance and production teams to schedule and execute maintenance activities.
• Communicate across shifts to ensure continuity of maintenance efforts and equipment performance.
• Support team initiatives, best practices, and department improvement ideas
• Maintain strong working relationships with cross-functional teams
• Provide mentorship and knowledge sharing on equipment, troubleshooting, and processes as skills develop.
• Quality & Food Safety
• Follow all food safety, regulatory, and quality standards (SQF, HACCP, GMPs)
• Maintain a clean and sanitary work environment during all operations. Word]
• Perform required quality checks and complete associated documentation.
• Health & Safety
• Follow all company safety policies and OSHA requirements.
• Adhere to Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), fall protection, hot work, and other safety programs
• Identify and report unsafe conditions and take corrective actions

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (or related field) required

Experience

• Entry-level (0–2 years) experience in manufacturing, maintenance, or engineering environments preferred
• Internship or co‑op experience in industrial or food manufacturing is a plus

Technical Skills

• Strong foundational knowledge of:
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical basics
• Pneumatics and hydraulics
• PLC fundamentals
• Ability to read technical drawings and schematics
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, etc.) and CMMS systems

Soft Skills

• Strong problem‑solving and analytical skills
• Effective communication and teamwork
• Time management and task prioritization
• Continuous improvement mindset with attention to detail

Physical & Work Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and perform physical tasks (standing, bending, stooping)
• Willingness to work off‑shifts, weekends, or holidays as needed

What This Role Offers

• Hands‑on experience bridging engineering and maintenance
• Ownership of real process improvements and SOP development
• Exposure to food manufacturing, reliability engineering, and lean practices
• Career pathway into Maintenance Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or Operations Leadership