Industrial Refrigeration and Maintenance Mechanic

Wald Family Foods

Burlington, IA

Estimated pay: Est. $21–$30/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

**Job Title:** Industrial Refrigeration and Maintenance Technician

**Department:** Maintenance

**Reports to:** Maintenance Manager

**Employment Type:** Full-Time

**Job Summary**

The Industrial Refrigeration and Maintenance Technician performs preventative maintenance, troubleshooting, and repairs on production equipment, machinery, and facility systems, with primary responsibility for the plant’s ammonia refrigeration system and CO2 skid. This role ensures maximum uptime, safety, and compliance with food safety standards in a fast-paced food production environment. It requires strong technical skills in industrial refrigeration, attention to detail, and a strong commitment to safety.

**Key Responsibilities**

· Perform routine preventative maintenance on the ammonia refrigeration system and the CO2 skid / CO2 refrigeration equipment.

· Diagnose and troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic issues on ammonia and CO2 systems, performing root cause analysis to quickly minimize production downtime and prevent recurrence.

· Repair or replace defective parts, components, and systems on ammonia and CO2 equipment using hand tools, power tools, and precision measuring instruments.

· Monitor system performance, pressures, temperatures, and levels; respond to alarms and abnormal conditions in accordance with standard operating procedures.

· Assist with equipment breakdowns and emergency repairs on ammonia and CO2 systems during production shifts.

· Maintain accurate maintenance records, work orders, refrigerant logs, and documentation related to ammonia and CO2 systems.

· Ensure all work complies with FDA, USDA, SQF, HACCP, OSHA, and other applicable food safety and refrigeration regulations, including proper GMP practices and allergen control.

· Perform routine maintenance on other food processing equipment, packaging machinery, conveyors, pumps, motors, and utilities as needed.

· Install new equipment and perform modifications as needed.

· Perform basic welding, fabrication, and machining as needed.

· Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance equipment reliability, efficiency, and overall plant performance.

· Collaborate with production, quality, warehouse, and sanitation teams to support overall plant operations.

· Follow all safety protocols, including Lockout/Tagout, ammonia emergency procedures, GMPs, PPE, hygiene and sanitation, machine guarding, and HazCom.

· Perform other duties as assigned.

**Qualifications and Requirements**

· High school diploma or GED required; technical school certificate, associate degree in industrial maintenance or refrigeration, or equivalent experience preferred.

· 3+ years of maintenance experience in a food manufacturing or regulated production environment (highly preferred).

· Strong knowledge of mechanical systems and electrical controls, with demonstrated experience maintaining ammonia refrigeration systems and/or CO2 refrigeration skids.

· Ability to read and interpret blueprints, schematics, technical manuals, and electrical diagrams.

· Working knowledge of food safety standards, sanitary design principles, and industrial refrigeration safety (including ammonia PSM awareness).

· Basic computer skills.

· Strong written and verbal communication skills.

· Excellent time management and organizational skills.

· Ability to work flexible hours, including overtime, weekends, and on-call work as needed.

· Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly, lift and/or move up to 150 lbs occasionally with assistance as necessary, stand for extended periods, and work in varying temperatures (hot/cold/wet environments).

**Preferred Skills**

· Certifications such as ammonia refrigeration, welding, or forklift operation.

· Experience with automated packaging equipment, fillers, sealers, or high-speed production lines.

· Basic programming or troubleshooting experience with refrigeration controls/PLCs.

· Knowledge of predictive maintenance tools.

· Refrigeration and fabrication experience (preferred, not required).

**What we offer**

· Competitive hourly wage + overtime opportunities.

· Comprehensive benefits package.

· Paid time off and holidays.

· Opportunities for training, certification, and career advancement.

· A collaborative and safety-focused work environment.

· Stable, essential industry with year-round production.

**TOBA, Inc. DBA Wald Family Foods is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind.**

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Referral program
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person