Maintenance Technician Trainee
Mars · Columbus, OH
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 3+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at Mars (food & beverage) in Columbus, OH. You will have the opportunity to develop mechanical/electrical skills and learn how to maintain manufacturing and packaging equipment.
- They ask for
- 3+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Maintenance Technician roles in Ohio: typical posted base $58k–$75k.
Median of the low and high ends of 4 live postings that list pay, out of 202 maintenance technician openings in Ohio, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Ohio plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 211 other live reliability postings in Ohio.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Less than usual (3+ vs 4+)
Typical $71k–$107k, from 10 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- PLC 49%
- Team leadership 42%
- Welding 34%
- Root cause 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for Lean, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with 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 Mars
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 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.
This plant: Mars in Columbus
1 other open role at this site.
- R157023 Shift Controls Technician ($5K Sign-on Bonus) · Controls · Technician
Full description from MarsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Requirements
- ✓High School Diploma, GED or equivalent education
- ✓3+ years of experience in a manufacturing environment
- ✓Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot, analyze and resolve technical and mechanical problems
- ✓Proficient in computer software’s including MS office and email
Physical
Requirements
- ✓Can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
- ✓Frequent lifting/carrying (10-50 lbs) and pushing/pulling (50-300 lbs)
- ✓Frequent bending, stooping, twisting, handling, and gripping.
- ✓Ability to work at elevated heights, climb stairs, lean over equipment, and operate in confined spaces.
- ✓Ability to stand and work on feet for extended periods, with shifts lasting 12 hours
- ✓Capable of working in hot, cold and wet conditions
- ✓Proficient in understanding, communicating, reading, and writing in English.
Preferred Qualifications
- ✓Technical degree or certifications
- ✓Fundamental electrical understanding
- ✓Understanding of industrial controls
What will be my key responsibilities?
- ✓Diagnose and troubleshoot processing, filling, packaging, and warehouse systems during factory runtime.
- ✓Adjust based on evaluations taken during the shift. Inspect equipment for wear, abnormalities, metal fatigue and damage.
- ✓Write and complete planned and unplanned work orders to correct safety, product and asset issues.
- ✓Perform preventive maintenance on equipment and systems.
- ✓Identify potential unsafe conditions and make improvement recommendations.
- ✓Identify potential food safety risks and make improvement recommendations.
- ✓Daily involvement with area/equipment AM/PM performance boards.
- ✓Drive the mindset and methodology to increase “Mean Time Between Failures” (MTBF) and Zero Breakdown culture.
- ✓Any ad hoc requests
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Job Description
Mars Petcare- Maintenance Technician Trainee- Columbus, OH
- •Pay: Based on experience starting at $30.33/hour and $1.50 Shift Premium
- •This site manufactures petfood
Rotating Shift
- •1st shift: Mon-Fri: 7A-3:30P; Sat-Sun 7A-7:30P
- •2nd shift: Mon-Fri: 3P-11:30P
- •3rd shift: Mon-Fri: 11P- 7:30A; Sat-Sun 7P-7:30A
- •"4th Shift": OFF 5 days
- •Initial training will be on day shift
Description of Role
As a Maintenance Mechanic Trainee, you will have the opportunity to develop mechanical/electrical skills and learn how to maintain manufacturing and packaging equipment. This is a feeder role for Shift Technicians, System Technicians, and Steam / Boiler Technicians.
What are we looking for?
Total Rewards
- •Starting Pay: $30.33/hour +
- •Shift Differential: $1.50/hour
- •Annual Bonus and Merit Increases
- •Benefits Starting Day One:
- •Medical, Vision, and Dental
- •Up to 6% 401(k) match
- •Vacation time
- •Tuition reimbursement
- •Short/Long-Term Disability
- •18 weeks parental leave