Maintenance Technician
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.
Our Commitment
Half Acre is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
Full-Time/Part-Time Benefits
All full-time (30+ hrs/week) positions at Half Acre enjoy the following benefits:
• 401k plan with up to 3% company match dollar-for-dollar, as well as an additional match of $0.50-per-dollar between 3% and 5%.
• 60% Half Acre-paid health, dental and vision insurance for new employees (dependent coverage available for an additional cost)
• 100% Half Acre-paid life, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Pet insurance options
• Tax-free transit program
• Eligibility to enroll in insurance begins the first day of the month following hire date
• Beer-related perks of brewery life
• Paid sick and vacation time (as outlined below)
• 11 Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Time:
• Begins accruing monthly on day 1 of employment.
• Full-time employees receive up to 60 hours of paid sick leave each year (prorated).
• Rollover up to 80 hrs paid sick leave per year
Paid Leave for Any Reason (Vacation Time):
• Year 1 – 2: 10 days (.833 days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Year 3 – 6: 15 days (1.25 days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Year 7 – 9: 18 days (1.5. days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Year 10+: 20 days (1.66 days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Additional 20-day sabbatical in year 10
• Up to 16 hours of year-end Paid Leave rollover
All part-time (less than 30 hrs/week) positions at Half Acre enjoy the following benefits:
• 401k plan with up to 3% company match dollar-for-dollar, as well as an additional match of $0.50-per-dollar between 3% and 5% (minimum hours worked eligibility threshold must be met in order to participate)
• Pet insurance options
• Tax-free transit program
• Beer-related perks of brewery life
Paid sick and vacation time:
• 1 hour Paid Leave for 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours total/year
• Up to 16 hours year-end Paid Leave rollover
• 1 hour Paid Sick Leave for every 35 hours worked up to 60 hours/year
• Rollover up to 80 hours paid sick leave per year
• Paid holidays when brewery is closed on a day when you are normally scheduled to work
• 401k plan with up to 3% company match dollar-for-dollar, as well as an additional match of $0.50-per-dollar between 3% and 5%.
• 60% Half Acre-paid health, dental and vision insurance for new employees (dependent coverage available for an additional cost)
• 100% Half Acre-paid life, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Pet insurance options
• Tax-free transit program
• Eligibility to enroll in insurance begins the first day of the month following hire date
• Beer-related perks of brewery life
• Paid sick and vacation time (as outlined below)
• 11 Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Time:
• Begins accruing monthly on day 1 of employment.
• Full-time employees receive up to 60 hours of paid sick leave each year (prorated).
• Rollover up to 80 hrs paid sick leave per year
Paid Leave for Any Reason (Vacation Time):
• Year 1 – 2: 10 days (.833 days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Year 3 – 6: 15 days (1.25 days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Year 7 – 9: 18 days (1.5. days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Year 10+: 20 days (1.66 days accrued per month based on 40-hour work week)
• Additional 20-day sabbatical in year 10
• Up to 16 hours of year-end Paid Leave rollover
All part-time (less than 30 hrs/week) positions at Half Acre enjoy the following benefits:
• 401k plan with up to 3% company match dollar-for-dollar, as well as an additional match of $0.50-per-dollar between 3% and 5% (minimum hours worked eligibility threshold must be met in order to participate)
• Pet insurance options
• Tax-free transit program
• Beer-related perks of brewery life
Paid sick and vacation time:
• 1 hour Paid Leave for 35 hours worked, up to 40 hours total/year
• Up to 16 hours year-end Paid Leave rollover
• 1 hour Paid Sick Leave for every 35 hours worked up to 60 hours/year
• Rollover up to 80 hours paid sick leave per year
• Paid holidays when brewery is closed on a day when you are normally scheduled to work