Technician, R&D - Pilot Plant Maintenance

Kraft Heinz; Glenview (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Glenview, IL is seeking a Maintenance Technician to perform mechanical and electrical maintenance on plant equipment, following preventive maintenance schedules and safety standards. The role includes inspections, repairs, overhauls, and installations to sustain reliability in our pilot plant and production lines.

You will read manuals, diagnose issues, document interventions, and collaborate with maintenance staff and cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical training preferred.
• 3–7 years of relevant maintenance experience.
• Experience with preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on machinery and equipment.
• Ability to read and apply technical documentation, drawings, and manuals.
• Mechanical and/or electrical maintenance skills required.

Responsibilities

• Carry out general maintenance tasks in line with established policies and standards, ensuring compliance with product quality, GMPs, and safety requirements.
• Execute preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities on designated equipment.
• Respond to maintenance requests and troubleshoot in coordination with the supervisor.
• Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair machinery to ensure reliability and uptime.
• Support equipment overhauls, upgrades, and new installations as needed.
• Maintain accurate work orders and document maintenance activities.
• Collaborate with pilot plant technicians and cross-functional teams on critical needs.
• Ensure safe operation of hand and power tools and adherence to safety procedures.

Skills

Maintenance knowledge

Preventive maintenance

Troubleshooting

Mechanical maintenance

Electrical maintenance

Reading manuals/drawings

Team communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associates degree / technical training preferred

Tools

EAM systems

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Maintenance Technicianis responsible forperforming assigned mechanical and/or electrical maintenance work on machinery and equipment to ensure effective performance and reliability in line with the maintenance schedule. This role includes preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities, using technical documentation, drawings, manuals, fault information, and knowledge of the equipment to assess and execute theappropriate maintenanceapproach. The MaintenanceTechnician supports ongoing equipment reliability through inspection, repair, overhauls, upgrades, and installation work, while contributing to continuous improvement in maintenance practices and preventive maintenance programs.

In addition to the responsibilities outlined below, team members are expected to understand how their individual activities contribute to food safety and to promptly report any situation that could affect the safety or integrity of our food products.

Statement of the Job:

Ability to carry out maintenance tasks in compliance with pilot plant and organization policies and standards. The position requires the following capability:

• Executeassigned mechanical and/or electrical maintenance work, including preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance, on machinery and equipment.

• Performmaintenance activities based on work orders, fault reports, production team requirements, technical documentation, drawings, manuals, and working knowledge of machines and equipment.

• Conduct regular inspections of machinery, devices, and installationsin accordance withthe maintenance plan to assess technicalcondition.

• Diagnose equipment issues and determine appropriate maintenance actions withinassignedscope.

• Perform repairs, part replacements, and equipment adjustments tomaintainor improve operational efficiency.

• Support or perform work on overhauls, upgrades, and newequipmentinstallations as assigned.

• Assistin the development of preventive maintenance programs, work practices, and maintenance routines.

• Record intervention activities, complete required documentation and reporting, and share learnings to improve preventive maintenance programs and work practices.

• Input and execute maintenance work orders.

• Conduct daily rounds tomonitorequipment and document readingsin pilot plant areas.

• Partner with maintenance personnel, pilot plant technicians, and cross-functional teams on critical work needs.

• Support or oversee contractor work in areasof expertise.

• Participate in R&D trial meetings or project planning meetings as needed.

• Safely and effectivelyoperatehand and power toolsrequiredfor assigned maintenance tasks.

• Support projects with internal team members and third-party contractors.

• Build technical capability through hands-on experience, with specialist support available as needed.

Responsibilities:

The employeeis responsible forthe following duties:

• Carry out general maintenance tasks in alignment with established policies and standards, ensuring compliance with product quality, GMPs, and safety requirements.

• Execute preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities in designated areas.

• Respond promptly to maintenance support requests and troubleshooting callsin areasdesignatedby the Maintenance Supervisor and Pilot Plant Manager.

• Ensureequipment reliability and uptime by inspecting, troubleshooting,andrepairingmachinery and systems.

• Perform assigned work related to equipment overhauls, upgrades, and new installations.

• Support the improvement of preventive maintenance plans, maintenance routines, and work practices.

• Maintainaccuratework order, maintenance, and inspection documentation.

• Communicate work order status, open issues, and repair progress to the supervisor, maintenance scheduler, and pilot plant management team.

• Support contractor coordination and oversight for assigned work.

• Effectively manage time, meet project deadlines, and adapt to shifting maintenance priorities

• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor, which may include work in other departments, different areas of the pilot plant, or Morton Grove plant for indefinite periods of time.

Safety Responsibility:

Responsible for wearing proper PPE, complianceofsafety training, policy & procedures, and reporting any unsafe safety conditions to management.

Quality Responsibility:

Participate in auditsandassistin the development ofprocedures and corrective actions.

Equipment Operated:

Fork trucks, welding equipment, power tools,productionoperatingequipmentacrosspilot plants,EAM computer system.

Responsibility of Equipment Operated:

Responsible for ensuring equipment is in a safe and operable condition and mustoperateequipment in a safe manner.

Lifting Requirements

Lifting 5-50 pounds may be required.Employees should use assisted lifting techniques / devices or teamwork for equipment greater than 50 pounds.

Training And Experience:

The employee must have the following required qualifications:

• High school diploma or GEDrequired; associates degree, technical training, or trades certification preferred

• Relevant maintenance experiencerequired(3-7years)

• Experience performing preventive, corrective, and emergency maintenance work on machinery and equipment preferred

• Ability to read and apply technical documentation, drawings, and manuals

• Mechanical and/or electrical maintenance skillsrequired

• Ability to support equipment overhauls, upgrades, and installations

• Communication: Must have good verbal and written skills

• Computer Skills

• Demonstrative knowledge and experience using maintenance management systems in areas of work orders, parts, hours, and reporting

• Must have the ability to learnadditionalsystem requirements as applications change

• Ability to use spreadsheets, databases, and analytical tools

Location(s)

Glenview R&D Center

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes**.**