Maintenance Mechanic
Cargill · West Columbia, SC
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Experience asked
- 18+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at Cargill (food & beverage) in West Columbia, SC. Repair/Troubleshoot production equipment.
- They ask for
- 18+ years
- Tools it names
- Welding
- Day to day
- some off-shift / weekend coverage
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Maintenance Technician roles in the US: typical posted base $58k–$84k.
Median of the low and high ends of 37 live postings that list pay, out of 1786 maintenance technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
South Carolina plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 52 other live reliability postings in South Carolina.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (18+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Team leadership 47%
- PLC 34%
- ✓ Welding 32%
- EHS / safety 25%
- Tooling 21%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at Cargill
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from CargillAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Required Qualifications
- ✓Must be eligible to work in the United States without visa sponsorship
- ✓Must be 18 years or older
- ✓Must be able to read, write, and speak English.
- ✓Must be able to understand schematics and installation/operation manuals
- ✓Knowledge in the following: basic electronics, fabrication, electrical systems, equip/troubleshooting, technical systems, pneumatic systems, hydraulic
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Previous industrial maintenance experience
- ✓Previous Cargill experience
- ✓Work history in the last 12 months
Please note that this position does not include relocation reimbursement.
To apply using chat/text, please click Apply Now button OR use this link to create a login to apply.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
New, easy-to-apply options are available for this role: chat with our recruiting assistant Ana at careers.cargill.com or text CargillJobs to 60196.
Want to build a stronger, more sustainable future and cultivate your career? Join Cargill's global team of 160,000 employees who are committed to safe, responsible and sustainable ways to nourish the world. This position is in Cargill’s protein and salt business, where we provide wholesome, high-quality food products to a wide range of customers, from foodservice operators and grocery stores to manufacturers and exporters.
Job Location: West Columbia, SC
Job Type: Full Time
Shift(s) Available: 1st, 2nd, & 3rd
Benefits Information
- •$.50 cent differential
- •Medical, Dental, Vision, and Prescription Drug Insurance
- •Health and Wellness Incentives
- •Paid Vacation and Holidays
- •401(k) with Cargill matching contributions
- •Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- •Short-Term Disability and Life Insurance
- •Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- •Tuition Reimbursement
- •Employee Discounts
Principal Accountabilities
- •Effectively and safely operates standard maintenance tools such as power tools, basic hand tools and basic electrical testing equipment
- •Repair/rebuild various gearboxes according to manufacturer specifications
- •Properly align belt/chain drive setups
- •Repair/Troubleshoot production equipment
- •Read and understand mechanical and electrical schematics without issue
- •Utilize MRO system
- •Basic cutting/grinding/welding
- •Documenting daily work assigned on paper and in maintenance management system
- •Follow prescribed safety rules and regulation as well as other departmental policies and procedures.
- •Identify problems and make suggestions to improve operational processes