Utilities Technician

Niagara Bottling • Reading, PA

7d

About The Position

The Utilities Technician, described in the posting as a Maintenance Technician, is responsible for keeping production equipment and facility systems operating through timely troubleshooting and repair. The role supports production equipment such as injection and blow molders, fillers and cappers, labelers, case packers, conveyors, palletizers, and stretch wrappers, as well as facility and auxiliary equipment such as chillers, air compressors, reverse osmosis and other water filtration equipment. The technician works with machine operators, supervisors, Preventative Maintenance Mechanics, and senior maintenance technicians to address issues arising during the shift, and proposes solutions for complex or recurring equipment problems to senior mechanics and management.

The position also involves maintaining industrial control systems, documenting repairs and material usage, following safety practices, and providing technical leadership and training within a plant area or machine center. The job requires regular and predictable attendance. Duties may change with or without prior notice.

Minimum education is a high school diploma. An associate’s degree in a manufacturing-related specialization is preferred. Minimum qualifications include four years of experience in a field or similar maintenance environment, four years in the position, and four years managing people or projects; experience may combine work and education. Six years in each area is preferred. The role requires a toolbox and basic tools.

Niagara states that regular full-time team members are offered a comprehensive benefits package. Listed benefits include paid time off, parental and caregiver leaves, medical, dental and vision coverage, a 401(k) with company match, health savings and flexible spending accounts, mental wellbeing support, family-building benefits, income protection, discount programs, tuition reimbursement, a college savings plan, and scholarship opportunities.

Requirements

• High school diploma.
• Four years of experience in the field or a similar maintenance environment; experience may combine work experience and education.
• Four years of experience in the position; experience may combine work experience and education.
• Four years of experience managing people or projects; experience may combine work experience and education.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and resolve issues across multiple departments.
• Basic experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to communicate issues and solutions effectively to cross-functional team members.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics.
• Skill using shop equipment such as hydraulic and mechanical presses, bench grinders, drill presses, mills, lathes, and assorted power tools.
• Proficiency with precision measuring equipment such as calipers, dial indicators, bore gauges, and depth gauges.
• Willingness to serve as a technical leader and trainer within a plant area or machine center.
• Must provide own toolbox and basic tools.
• Ability to follow plant safety rules and use required personal protective equipment.

Nice To Haves

• Associate’s degree in manufacturing, manufacturing technology, mechatronics, industrial manufacturing, manufacturing automation, or a similar manufacturing-related specialization.
• Six years of experience in the field or a similar manufacturing environment; experience may combine work experience and education.
• Six years of experience in the position; experience may combine work experience and education.
• Six years of experience managing people or projects; experience may combine work experience and education.
• Experience in high-speed manufacturing, bottling, beverage, packaging, or plastics industries.
• Experience with variable frequency drives, servo drives, and servo motors.
• Experience with rotary equipment such as rotary presses or fillers.
• Experience with thermodynamics, heat transfer, or plastics processing.
• Experience with Krones, Sidel, or Husky equipment.
• HVAC experience, including chillers and/or air compressors.
• Experience troubleshooting with electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic schematics.
• Fabrication skills such as cutting and welding (MIG, TIG, or stick).
• Experience working with electrical systems including 480VAC and 24VDC power.
• Ability to read and interpret process and instrumentation diagrams.
• Skill repairing variable frequency drives, servo motors and controllers, communication systems (ASI-bus, CAN-bus, Profi-bus, Ethernet), PLC input/output cards, and safety modules.

Responsibilities

• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic systems using schematics, technical drawings, and testing equipment.
• Repair equipment, fixtures, systems, conveyors, and other facility equipment.
• Modify, lubricate, diagnose, and operate equipment according to Niagara’s defined processes.
• Maintain industrial control systems.
• Work independently and with team members to complete repairs safely and promptly.
• Fill in for a production operator as needed.
• Record and report repairs during the shift; complete work order paperwork and document parts and material usage.
• Follow plant safety rules, including safe lifting and machine operation practices, and use personal protective equipment where required.
• Maintain regular and predictable attendance to support equipment and facility uptime.
• Propose solutions to complex or recurring production equipment problems to senior mechanics and management.
• Provide technical leadership and training within a specific plant area or machine center.

Benefits

• Paid time off for holidays, sick time, and vacation time.
• Paid parental and caregiver leaves.
• Medical coverage, including virtual care options.
• Dental coverage.
• Vision coverage.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Health Savings Account with company match.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Expanded mental wellbeing benefits, including free counseling sessions for team members and household family members.
• Family-building benefits, including enhanced fertility benefits for IVF and fertility preservation, plus adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursements.
• Income protection, including life and AD&D, short- and long-term disability, critical illness, and accident plans.
• Special discount programs, including pet plans, prepaid legal services, identity theft services, car rental, and airport parking.
• Tuition reimbursement, college savings plan, and scholarship opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED