Refrigeration Boiler Technician - 1st and 3rd Shift

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Monmouth (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Retirement Benefits

Education benefit (tuition assistance)

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a skilled maintenance technician to perform preventive maintenance and repair of thermal processing equipment at our Illinois facility. The role requires operating boilers, ammonia refrigeration, and related systems, while adhering to safety and regulatory procedures.

You will work in a 24/7 team, reading data, documenting with SAP/Excel, and performing mechanical repairs. A GED/HS diploma and related experience are required; ammonia/PSM licenses are preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 1+ years of related industrial maintenance experience.
• Ability to work with or without supervision.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Knowledge of measuring equipment; electrical/plumbing a plus.
• Reading schematics and hydraulic drawings preferred.
• Ammonia operator licenses or RETA/PSM/Boiler licenses are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and repair thermal processing equipment.
• Operate boiler, ammonia refrigeration, air compressors, and wastewater systems.
• Follow procedures to meet regulations and safety standards.
• Use written, verbal, and digital communications within a round-the-clock team.
• Read gauges and data; use Word, Excel, SAP, Internet to document data.
• Perform preventative maintenance and basic mechanical repairs.
• Troubleshoot systems with mechanical/electrical methods.
• Install plumbing and follow PPE for hazardous chemicals.

Skills

Industrial maintenance

Electrical knowledge

Reading schematics

Forklift operation

Team communication

Safety awareness

Education

GED or High School Diploma

Tools

SAP

MS Excel

Microsoft Word

Internet

Job description

Your Opportunity

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.

Salary and Benefits

Competitive Starting Pay - $25.75/hr $0.50/hr Shift Differential for 3rd Shift

• 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

Responsibilities

Employee is responsible for preventive maintenance and repair of thermal processing equipment in the facility.

(Must have Omaha 3rd Grade Stationary Engineer's License)

• Operate boiler system, ammonia refrigeration system, air compressors and wastewater treatment system
• Follow written and verbal procedures to comply with company and governmental regulations
• Work as a member of a round-the-clock team utilizing written, verbal and email communication
• Read, record, and interpret data from gauges, computer programs and measurement equipment
• Enter and retrieve information from a computer system; Microsoft Word/Excel, SAP, and Internet
• Perform preventative maintenance tasks and inspections on all associated systems.
• Perform basic mechanical repairs on all associated systems, (i.e., fans, pumps, valves, and motors)
• Effectively troubleshoot the systems both mechanically and electrically.
• Utilize schematics to aid in troubleshooting
• Install all kinds of plumbing (not including welded lines)
• Follow PPE requirements to work with hazardous chemicals, (i.e., acids, bases, anhydrous ammonia)
• Ability to operate a forklift, genie lift or scissor lift or other powered industrial trucks (PIT).
• Perform water testing for wastewater, boiler, and refrigeration system
• Maintain and clean equipment and area
• Provide feedback to help improve systems

Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to work with or without supervision.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Effectively utilize measuring equipment Knowledge of electrical and plumbing a plus Prior experience reading schematics and hydraulic drawings, (Preferred)
• May be required to work long hours and weekends Ammonia operator I, II, III, RETA, PSM, Boiler I, II and license (Any preferred)
• Capable of meeting the physical requirements of HAZMAT Technician.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear. Must be able to perform studies on the production floor and cooler areas, working temperatures ranging from -40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit and in constant noise, exposure to fumes, dust, mechanical, electrical and safety hazards. Noise level in the work environment is moderate but can be loud if in the plant areas. Must be able to work in confined spaces Must be able to work at elevated heights Must regularly lift and or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and or move up to 100 pounds utilizing the buddy system or specifically designed lifting devices.

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.

Company Culture

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.

Company Overview

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.