Maintenance Engineer in Northbrook, Illinois at Highland Baking Company

Maintenance Technician (Industrial Manufacturing)

Highland Baking Company

Highland Baking Company is seeking motivated, dependable, and safety-focused individuals to join our team as a Maintenance Technician (Industrial Manufacturing). This critical role supports our production operations by ensuring equipment reliability, minimizing downtime, and maintaining a safe, efficient manufacturing environment.

As a Maintenance Technician, you will be responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining a wide variety of industrial equipment and systems. Your work directly impacts our ability to deliver high-quality bakery products to customers on time. Successful candidates are proactive problem-solvers who thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and are committed to continuous improvement.

Schedule: Full-Time
Shift Start Times: 4:30 AM, 12:30 PM, or 8:30 PM
Overtime and weekend work are required based on operational needs.

Pay

Competitive hourly wage based on experience, skills, and qualifications.

About Highland Baking Company

Highland Baking Company is a family-owned wholesale baking company with a long-standing commitment to quality, food safety, innovation, and customer service. Our team members are essential to our success, and we invest in creating a safe workplace, opportunities for advancement, and a culture built on teamwork and respect.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electronic equipment.
• Perform maintenance on production equipment, robotics, boiler systems, compressed air systems, refrigeration systems, sanitation equipment, HVAC systems, and other facility equipment.
• Execute preventive and predictive maintenance programs to maximize equipment reliability and efficiency.
• Accurately document maintenance activities, including work orders, inspections, parts requests, and preventive maintenance records.
• Communicate equipment issues, repair plans, estimated completion times, and operational impacts to production leadership and team members.
• Follow all safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), electrical safety, welding safety, machine guarding requirements, and hazardous material handling procedures.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, including maintenance shops, toolboxes, lockers, and equipment documentation areas.
• Assist with troubleshooting production issues and recommend improvements to equipment performance and reliability.
• Participate in internal audits, third-party audits, and regulatory inspections as required.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives that improve safety, quality, productivity, and equipment uptime.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Ability to diagnose equipment failures and implement effective corrective actions.
• Knowledge of motors, controls, sensors, PLCs, conveyors, pneumatics, hydraulics, and industrial automation systems preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, blueprints, and wiring diagrams.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions under pressure.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and compliance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with employees at all organizational levels.
• Willingness to train and support fellow team members.
• Knowledge of:
  • Current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs)
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
  • OSHA and workplace safety regulations
  • Safe maintenance and repair procedures

Core Competencies

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following qualities:

• Accountability
• Attention to Detail
• Reliability
• Initiative
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Time Management
• Safety Awareness
• Professionalism
• Leadership by Example

Physical Requirements

• Frequently lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds or more.
• Regularly bend, twist, squat, climb, reach, and perform repetitive movements.
• Stand and walk for extended periods, typically 8–12 hours per shift.
• Ability to work in varied production and maintenance environments.

Work Environment

This position operates within a commercial baking facility and may involve exposure to:

• High temperatures near industrial ovens, particularly during the summer months
• Noise from manufacturing equipment
• Moving mechanical equipment
• Dust, flour, and other food manufacturing ingredients

Appropriate PPE is required and provided as necessary.

Benefits

Highland Baking Company offers a competitive benefits package, including:

• Medical insurance eligibility after 90 days
• Dental insurance
• Paid holidays after 1 month of employment
• Paid vacation and sick time
• 401(k) with company match
• Employee assistance programs
• Career development and advancement opportunities
• Additional company-sponsored benefits