Job Summary
Half Acre Beer Co. has an opportunity for a skilled Maintenance Technician to join our production team in Chicago. This role is essential in keeping our brewery’s equipment, packaging lines, and facilities running at peak performance. You’ll work hands-on with a wide variety of systems — from brewhouse operations and packaging machinery to boilers, HVAC, and glycol chillers — in a collaborative, team-centered environment where culture matters as much as technical skill.
This position is a member of the Maintenance Team and reports to the Facilities Manager. Hours are typically 1st shift, Monday through Friday, although exact hours may vary. This role pays $23.00 – $26.00/hour (based on experience).
Duties/Responsibilities
- Commitment to company safety program and ensuring company safety standards set by Half Acre and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as established Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).
- Maintain, troubleshoot, and repair brewery production equipment including our KHS filler, Ferrum seamer, M+F keg line, and Braukon brewhouse
- Support utilities and facilities equipment such as glycol chillers, boilers, HVAC systems, pumps, gearboxes, and kitchen equipment
- Perform preventive maintenance and corrective repairs using our CMMS system to stay ahead of breakdowns
- Work on mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems to ensure maximum uptime
- Work directly with external vendors, contractors, and equipment manufacturers to coordinate service, source parts, and ensure maximum equipment uptime
- Identify root causes of equipment issues and implement lasting solutions
- Document work, communicate effectively with staff, and contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and safety
- Occasionally support special projects and improvements across the brewery
- Keeps work area clean and organized
- Other duties as assigned
Required Skills
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must be 21+ years old
- 3+ years maintenance experience (food/beverage or packaging industry preferred)
- Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical and electrical trades
- Familiarity with pumps, motors, drives, hydraulics, pneumatics, gearboxes, and compressed air systems
- Computer skills, Microsoft Office suite a plus
- Ability to read schematics and equipment manuals
- Ability to work independently while staying connected to the team’s priorities
Beneficial Experience
- Can seaming and processing experience
- Technical certifications preferred
- Knowledge of Siemens or Allen Bradley PLC
- Rigging knowledge preferred
- Welding and PLC troubleshooting experience
- Fork truck training
Physical Requirements
- Ability to lift up to 65 lbs. and maneuver heavy equipment with assistance
- Comfortable climbing ladders, stairs, and working in hot/cold/wet/loud/indoor/outdoor environments
- Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch, and work under/around conveyors and equipment
- Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus and the ability to see color; either with or without accommodation.
