Maintenance Technician - 1st Shift
Smithfield Foods · Peru, IN
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 4+ years
- Industry
- Food & beverage
- Posted
- 17 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at Smithfield Foods (food & beverage) in Peru, IN. Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Mechanical Maintenance: Your expertise will be critical in troubleshooting and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems, addressing mechanical wear issues, welding machine components, and maintaining proper machine safety features.
- They ask for
- 4+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Welding
- Day to day
- relocation help
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 1616 maintenance technician openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Indiana plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 68 other live reliability postings in Indiana.
- Experience asked
- Typical (4+ years)
Similar roles usually ask 4+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- PLC 52%
- ✓ Team leadership 48%
- ✓ Welding 39%
- Root cause 22%
- Robotics 20%
✓ = 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 Smithfield Foods
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: Smithfield Foods in Peru
1 other open role at this site.
- Production Supervisor - 3rd Shift · Production · Supervisor
Full description from Smithfield FoodsAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
In addition, we offer opportunities for career growth, professional development, and tuition assistance.
requirements
listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions .
- ✓High school diploma or general education degree (GED) and 1 + years of related experience and/or training in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing environment; or 4 years direct experience in an industrial mechanical maintenance or food manufacturing maintenance environment.
- ✓Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to work independently and troubleshoot effectively.
- ✓Effective communication skills, including proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking English.
requirements
include close, distance, and adjustable focus.
IndSPR-M/E
Relocation Package Available
No
EEO
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.If you are currently employed at Smithfield, please log into Workday and submit your application through the Jobs Hub.
Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that's sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact. Apply Now!
Your opportunity
Our team members receive industry-leading wages and are eligible for great benefits packages:
- •Competitive Starting Pay - $28.85/hr-$35.45/hr
- •Comprehensive Health Insurance, Retirement Benefits and More
- •Education benefit available to full and part-time Smithfield team members upon meeting eligibility
The value you’ll bring
The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.
Are you a talented mechanic searching for a career that offers excitement, growth, and recognition for your expertise? At Smithfield, you’ll be the heartbeat of our operations, keeping state-of-the-art food processing equipment running at peak performance. From troubleshooting and repairing advanced machinery to working on cutting-edge systems like conveyors, vacuum pumps, and hydraulic units, no two days are the same. Join a team that values your skills, empowers your success, and rewards your dedication with opportunities to grow and thrive. If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, we can’t wait to welcome you aboard!
What you’ll do
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.
Repair and Troubleshooting: You’ll diagnose and repair a wide range of food processing equipment, including sizers, stuffers, vacuum pumps, conveyors, slicers, injectors, microwaves, and hydraulic units, keeping operations running smoothly.
Component Replacement and Rebuilds: Take charge of replacing belts, sprockets, gears, chains, and valves while rebuilding essential components like pumps, gearboxes, and valves to ensure equipment stays in top condition.
Hydraulic, Pneumatic, and Mechanical Maintenance: Your expertise will be critical in troubleshooting and repairing hydraulic and pneumatic systems, addressing mechanical wear issues, welding machine components, and maintaining proper machine safety features.
Preventative Maintenance and Installation: You’ll perform regular preventative maintenance, such as lubricating parts, drives, and chains, and handle equipment installations by connecting air, water, and gas lines, as well as aligning and leveling machinery, utilizing hand tools, test meters, controls, etc.
Team Collaboration and Support: Work closely with your Crew Leader and Supervisor, taking on additional tasks and contributing to the success of the team by ensuring equipment reliability and operational excellence.
What we’re seeking
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The
Qualification List
- •Vocational or technical diploma, or associate degree in maintenance (preferred)
- •Excel in a fast-paced, collaborative environment while maintaining a respectful and team-oriented approach.
- •Ability to operate a forklift, genie lift or scissor lift or other powered industrial trucks (PIT).
- •Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships and contribute to a supportive and productive work environment with all levels of team personnel including outside contractors.
Physical demands & work environment
The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- •The majority of the time is spent in the plant environment and will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals.
- •Requires frequent standing, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, and the ability to lift up to 60 lbs.
- •Loud noise levels require hearing protection; vision