Hatchery Maintenance Hourly

At Pilgrim's, Safety is a Condition, which means the safety of our team members comes first - always.

Join our Hatchery Maintenance team and play a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality poultry products to customers. In this hands-on position as a Hatchery Maintenance Technician ensures all hatchery equipment - incubators, setters, vaccinators, HVAC, and automated systems - runs efficiently through proactive preventative maintenance (PMs), diagnostics, and repairs, handling electrical, mechanical, and fabrication tasks while maintaining accurate logs for optimal chick production and facility upkeep. You will operate and fix equipment, maintain a clean work area, and follow all safety and biosecurity guidelines. This is a fast-paced environment where attention to detail and teamwork are key. If you are dependable, willing to learn, and ready to grow with a company committed to excellence, this is your opportunity to make an impact!

Responsibilities: 

• Equipment Maintenance: Install, inspect, PM, and repair incubators, hatchers, setters, ventilation (HVAC), conveyor belts, and automated control systems. 
• Troubleshooting & Repair: Diagnose and fix malfunctioning machinery, often involving electrical controls, pneumatic, and mechanical components.
• Preventative Maintenance: Conduct routine checks and scheduled maintenance to prevent breakdowns and maximize equipment uptime.
• Fabrication & Construction: Modify, repair, and construct equipment and structures as needed, often involving steel fabrication.
• Record Keeping: Maintain detailed logs and work orders (often in systems like SAP) for all maintenance activities.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify and suggest improvements to processes and equipment for better efficiency. 
• Facility Upkeep: Perform general maintenance on the hatchery building and grounds.
• Must be familiar with and adhere to all general hatchery safety policies within the first 6 months of employment.
• Must have a good work history and attendance record.
• Must have a good history of safe work practices.
• Must be able to work any shift, weekends, holidays, and be on call for plant emergencies as they arise.
• Must be able to work at heights of 40 to 60 feet.
• Must possess basic mechanical abilities.
• Must be able to learn the basic day to day functions Hatchery Maintenance within a 45 day trial period.
• Must have excellent communication skills both written and oral.
• Will perform all other duties as directed by Refrigeration Management.
• Must obey all USDA, HACCP, Hatchery and safety rules & regulations.
• Must have or purchase and maintain all tools required to work in this position. 
• Must communicate to Hatchery management any situation or issues needing to be addressed on a daily basis.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Technical Proficiency: Strong knowledge of electrical systems (24V to 480V), including the ability to read schematics and troubleshoot motor controls or VFDs.
• Specialized Knowledge: Familiarity with pneumatic air systems and PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) troubleshooting is often preferred.
• Experience: Typically required 3-5 years of industrial equipment maintenance experience. 
• Safety Training: Proficiency in Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures and willingness to obtain confined space certification.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to work at elevated heights, in dusty atmospheres, and in temperature extremes (refrigerated areas or high-heat environments).

Working Conditions: 

• Bio-Security: Strict adherence to bio-security protocols is mandatory; many employers prohibit ownership of or contact with personal feathered animals.
• Flexible Hours: Roles often required weekend, holiday, or night shift work to support 24/7 hatchery operations.
• PPE: Technicians must use specialized PPE, including full-face respirators when working in the presence of chemicals like formaldehyde.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience: Previous training experience preferred; positive and motivated attitude.
• Skills: Strong communication skills and professionals demeanor; ability to work in hot/cold environments and stand for long periods; excellent organizational and time management skills; flexible schedule (including weekends as needed); independent, confident, and reliable with great attendance.

Why Work for Pilgrim's?

• Schedule: Will be discuss during interview
• Benefits: Vision, Medical, and Dental coverage begin after 60 days of employment;
• Paid Time Off: Sick leave, vacation, company-observed holidays or, any other statutorily required paid leave;
• 401(k): Company match begins after the first year of service and follows the company vesting schedule;
• Base Hourly Salary: Will discuss on 2nd interview.
• Career Development: Our company is dedicated to supporting professional growth by offering continuous learning opportunities and a focus on career growth through various learning and development programs;
• Better Futures

The Company is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our team members and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct drug, alcohol, and background checks for all new team members post-offer and prior to the start of employment. The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work. 

About: Pilgrim's is a leading global food company with more than 62,000 team members worldwide. The company processes, prepares, packages, and delivers fresh, frozen, and value-added food products for customers in more than 100 countries. Pilgrim's operates protein processing plants and prepared foods facilities in 14 states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the U.K., the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. 

Our Mission: To be the best in all that we do, completely focused on our business, ensuring the best products and services to our customers, a relationship of trust with our supplies, profitability for our shareholders and the opportunity of a better future for all of our team members. 

Our Core Values Are: Availability, Determination, Discipline, Humility, Ownership, Simplicity, Sincerity.