About this role
Industrial Electrician – Food Manufacturing (4:00 AM Start)
Location: Vernon, CA Shift: Early Morning (4:00 AM start required) Industry: Frozen Food Manufacturing / USDA Facility
Position Summary
We are seeking a skilled Industrial Electrician to support a high-volume frozen food manufacturing facility. This is a hands-on role focused on electrical troubleshooting, controls support, preventive maintenance, and rapid response to production issues during early morning startup and first-shift operations.
The ideal candidate has strong experience with PLC-controlled equipment, VFDs, industrial electrical systems, refrigeration interfaces, and automated packaging lines in a food manufacturing environment.
Key Responsibilities
Electrical & Controls Support
• Troubleshoot and repair industrial electrical systems including motors, MCCs, control panels, sensors, and power distribution.
• Diagnose and respond to PLC-controlled equipment faults, including alarms, interlocks, and I/O issues.
• Troubleshoot VFDs and servo systems (fault codes, overloads, wiring, parameter issues).
• Support automated equipment including:
• Spiral freezers and freezer conveyors
• Ovens and kettle systems
• Packaging conveyors
• Horizontal form-and-seal machines
• Metal detectors and inspection equipment
Preventive Maintenance
• Perform scheduled PMs on electrical and controls components to reduce unplanned downtime.
• Inspect wiring, sensors, panels, motors, and safety devices.
• Identify recurring electrical issues and recommend permanent corrective actions.
Startup & Production Support
• Provide early-morning startup support for production lines beginning at 4:00 AM.
• Work directly with production and maintenance teams to minimize downtime.
• Respond quickly to breakdowns during critical startup windows.
Safety & Compliance
• Follow all LOTO, PPE, electrical safety, and USDA/GMP requirements.
• Maintain food safety standards during all repairs.
• Document work accurately in the CMMS.
Required Qualifications
• 5+ years of experience as an industrial electrician in manufacturing (food manufacturing strongly preferred).
• Strong troubleshooting skills in:
• Industrial electrical systems (480V / 3-phase)
• PLC-controlled equipment (Allen-Bradley preferred)
• VFDs and motor controls
• Sensors (photo-eyes, proximity, encoders, temperature)
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and ladder logic.
• Experience working around refrigeration or freezer systems (ammonia exposure a plus).
• Comfortable working in cold environments (freezers) and hot production areas.
• Ability to start work consistently at 4:00 AM.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with horizontal form-and-seal packaging equipment.
• Experience in USDA or FDA-regulated food manufacturing facilities.
• Basic welding or fabrication ability (minor brackets, guards, repairs).
• CMMS experience (MP2, Fiix, eMaint, SAP PM, or similar).
• Bilingual (Spanish/English) a plus, but not required.
Work Environment & Schedule
• Early morning shift starting at 4:00 AM.
• Must be flexible for overtime, weekends, and emergency call-ins.
• Work in freezer, wet, and high-temperature environments as required.
• Physically capable of lifting up to 50 lbs and working on equipment at heights.
Why Join Us
• Stable, growing frozen food manufacturer
• Modern automated equipment and production lines
• Strong maintenance leadership and support
• Competitive pay with overtime opportunities
• Opportunity to make a real impact on uptime and reliability
$30-$40/hrly