Project Maintenance

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Education benefit available to full/pt

Comprehensive Health Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Opportunities for career growth

LinkedIn Learning access

Guild tuition assistance

Smithfield Scholarship Program

Be Well programs

Job summary

Smithfield Packaged Meats Corp. is seeking a Maintenance Technician to keep our plant running smoothly in a fast-paced food processing environment.

You will troubleshoot electrical and mechanical systems, weld and fabricate parts, and apply fluid power knowledge to resolve issues affecting production. You will read blueprints and manuals, follow GMP safety standards, and perform preventive maintenance to ensure reliable operation of pumps, packaging, and slicing equipment.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1+ years in industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing.
• Vocational/Technical Diploma or Associate degree preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret work orders and manuals.

Responsibilities

• Review work orders and respond to emergencies with proper tools and parts.
• Read blueprints, schematics, wiring diagrams, and manuals to diagnose issues.
• Inspect, disassemble, repair, and test mechanical equipment and pumps.
• Install and maintain electrical, piping, and mechanical systems.
• Follow preventive maintenance schedules and safety protocols.

Skills

Electrical controls

Fluid power

Mechanical systems

Welding

Fabrication

Problem solving

Read blueprints

Education

High school diploma or GED

Technical diploma/associate degree

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 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.

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!

Benefits

• Hourly Maintenance Pay – $27.55-$28.30/hour
• Education benefit available to full and part‑time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility requirements
• Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More.
• Opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• LinkedIn Learning: access to on‑demand courses, professional certificates and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs.
• Tuition assistance coverage through Guild for English language learning, high school completion and degree programs.
• Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.
• Benefit plans and programs that are on average 20 percent less expensive than those offered by other employers.
• Be Well programs offering support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more, free of charge.

What you’ll do

• 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

• 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).
• 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.
• 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.

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.

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.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. Good food. Responsibly. 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.

We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities.