Plant Maintenance Technician in South Dakota, USA - FU

• This is a U.S.-based agricultural manufacturing company specializing in food processing, animal feed ingredients, pet food production, agricultural equipment, and recycling services.

The Plant Maintenance Technician works under the technical direction of a qualified engineer, providing hands-on technical support for the operation, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of industrial production equipment and facility systems.The position involves applying technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems to support engineering activities related to equipment performance, reliability, safety, and efficient manufacturing operations.

The technician works with industrial equipment and systems, including grinders, augers, pumps, motors, gearboxes, boilers, ammonia refrigeration systems, air compressors, and wastewater treatment equipment.

All responsibilities are expected to be performed in accordance with FUI's GRIT values: Generosity, Relationships, Integrity, and Teamwork.

 

JOB INFORMATION

• Positions Available: Plant Maintenance Technician – Engineering Support (PPP)
• Job Type: Full-Time
• Wage Per Hour: $31.32 − $36.00 per hour, based on experience
• Hours Per Week: 40–50 hours
• Workweek:
• ● 1st Shift: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:30 PM
• ● 2nd Shift: Monday–Friday, 3:00 PM–1:30 AMPotential overtime during the week and/or weekends. Actual hours may vary based on
• production and project needs.
• Payment Days: Biweekly (Thursdays)
• Payment Type: Direct deposit (rapid! PayCards available from employer)
• Break Times: 30-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks

 

Primary Job Duties

● Perform daily, weekly, and monthly preventive maintenance on industrial production equipment and facility systems in accordance with established technical procedures and maintenance schedules.

● Inspect, troubleshoot, maintain, and repair mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic equipment used in manufacturing operations.

● Identify equipment malfunctions, determine their causes, and perform appropriate repairs to minimize production downtime.

● Maintain and troubleshoot industrial machinery, including grinders, augers, pumps, motors, and gearboxes.

● Provide technical maintenance support for ammonia refrigeration systems, boilers, air compressors, heating and plumbing systems, and wastewater treatment equipment.

● Read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, equipment specifications, and maintenance instructions to diagnose and resolve equipment problems.

● Monitor equipment performance, identify recurring mechanical or operational problems, and communicate technical findings to the supervising engineer and Maintenance Manager.

● Support the supervising engineer in identifying equipment reliability concerns, evaluating maintenance issues, and implementing appropriate technical solutions.

● Perform welding, fabrication, component replacement, and mechanical adjustments when necessary to complete equipment maintenance and repairs.

● Respond to equipment failures and emergency maintenance requests to restore safe and efficient operation while minimizing downtime.

● Document maintenance activities, equipment repairs, replacement parts, and time spent on maintenance projects using the company's maintenance tracking systems.

● Communicate with the supervising engineer and Maintenance Manager regarding equipment conditions, maintenance findings, and technical issues requiring further evaluation.

● Follow established safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, confined space entry, line opening, fall protection, and hot work requirements.

● Comply with applicable environmental, workplace safety, and food safety requirements.

● Ensure all equipment is fully repaired and operational prior to departure; if a repair remains incomplete at the end of a shift, perform a thorough, documented handoff to the incoming shift technician.

● Demonstrated proficiency in specialized welding and fabrication equipment, specifically including TIG welders, acetylene torches, and air plasma cutters.

 

Additional Responsibilities

● Safely operate forklifts, skid steers, telehandlers, and scissor lifts when required for equipment maintenance activities.

● Assist with general facility maintenance and building repairs as needed.

● Coordinate with the Parts and Inventory Clerk regarding replacement parts, materials, and equipment supplies.

● Participate in required technical training, equipment certification programs, and workplace safety training.

● Maintain regular and predictable on-site attendance.

● Perform other related duties consistent with the position's technical maintenance responsibilities.

General Requirements

● Ability to apply technical knowledge to equipment troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.

● Ability to work under the technical direction of an engineer while independently performing assigned maintenance tasks.

● Ability to function as both an independent contributor and a team member.

● Understanding of the importance of food safety standards when performing equipment maintenance.

● Experience with skid steers, forklifts, telehandlers, and scissor lifts is preferred. Candidates must pass applicable in-house certifications upon hire.

● Knowledge of industrial safety procedures, including confined space entry, line opening, fall protection, lockout/tagout, and hot work.● Ability to safely operate a variety of hand tools, power tools, and industrial maintenance equipment.

● Ability to communicate effectively with engineers, supervisors, and coworkers and follow written and verbal instructions.

● Ability to accurately read and understand signs, labels, warnings, directions, operator manuals, service manuals, and wiring schematics.

● Proficiency in basic mathematics, measurements, interpreting equipment data, and accurately recording maintenance information.

● Basic computer skills; experience with Redzone maintenance or production software is a plus.

● Willingness and ability to work additional hours during the week or on weekends as operational needs require.

● Ability to perform work in a safety-sensitive industrial environment.

● Ability to work in a facility that processes multiple proteins, including beef, pork, chicken, turkey, fish, lamb, rabbit, kangaroo, and egg.

● Must be at least 18 years old for insurance purposes.

 

• Experience Required: Yes
• Minimum Experience: Two or more years working with ammonia, wastewater, and/or boiler systems.
• Supervisory Responsibilities: None. The position does not require supervising other employees.
• Criminal Background Check: Required. 3A will coordinate the background check for candidates residing in Mexico. FUI will coordinate the background check for candidates residing in the United States.
• Drug Test: Required, 4-panel. 3A will coordinate testing for candidates residing in Mexico. FUI will coordinate testing for candidates residing in the United States.
• English Level: Upper-Intermediate

 

Physical Requirements

● Consistently push and/or pull heavy objects.

● Consistently bend at the waist and/or knees or crawl.

● Consistently climb stairs, occasionally climb ladders up to 20 feet, and occasionally perform work on building roofs.

● Occasionally lift up to 60 pounds from floor to waist level.

● Rarely participate in team lifting of objects weighing up to 150 pounds.

● Stand for up to 100% of the workday.

● Ability to distinguish colors, including electrical wire color codes.

● Tolerance for varying environmental conditions, including heat, cold, wet conditions, and slippery surfaces.

 

• Job Training Required: Yes
• Safety Training Required: Yes
• Bilingual Environment: Partially
• Driver's License: Preferred; a Mexican driver's license is acceptable.

EQUIPMENT AND APPAREL

• Company Uniforms: Pants and collared shirt provided by the employer.
• Safety Apparel: Reimbursement available for steel-toe boots and prescription safety glasses.
• Other required personal protective equipment, including hearing protection and hard hats, will be provided at no cost.

 

FLIGHT AND TRANSPORTATION

• Paid Flight to Business Location: Yes, for initial relocation to begin employment.
• Airport of Arrival: Sioux Falls Regional Airport (FSD)
• Transportation to and from Worksite
• Transportation Provided: To be determined.

 

JOB INCENTIVES AND BENEFITS

• Workers' Compensation Insurance: Yes
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Yes, see employer benefits guide.
• Healthcare Insurance: Yes, see employer benefits guide.

• Paid Holidays

  ● New Year's Eve

  ● New Year's Day

  ● Memorial Day

  ● Fourth of July

  ● Labor Day

  ● Thanksgiving Day

  ● Black Friday

  ● Christmas Eve

  ● Christmas Day

  ● Employee's Birthday

 

HOUSING

• Housing Option: Employer is still sourcing potential housing arrangements.
• Individual or Shared Rooms: To be determined.
• Rent Per Person: To be determined.
• Housing Costs: To be determined.
• Utilities Included: To be determined.
• Furnishings: To be determined.
• Wi-Fi: To be determined.
• Cable TV: To be determined.
• Laundry Facilities: To be determined.