Pellet Mill Specialist Mechanic

Pellet Mill Specialist Mechanic

Job Type: Full-Time Pay: 80,000/year + benefits Schedule: [Insert shift/hours] Location: [Insert location]

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Pellet Mill Specialist Mechanic with a strong preventative maintenance mindset to keep our pellet production line running at peak performance. This is not an entry-level position — we need someone who has hands-on experience with pellet mills and can walk in on day one ready to build and execute a proactive maintenance program, not just react when things break. The ideal candidate believes that catching problems before they cause downtime is the most valuable thing a mechanic can do. If you know pellet mills inside and out, can weld and troubleshoot electrical issues, and take pride in keeping equipment running smoothly through disciplined upkeep, we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Develop, implement, and maintain a structured preventative maintenance program for pellet mills and all supporting production equipment, including scheduled inspections, lubrication routines, wear-part tracking, and condition monitoring
• Proactively identify wear patterns, alignment issues, and early signs of failure before they cause unplanned downtime
• Maintain detailed PM schedules, checklists, and equipment history records for every major piece of equipment
• Perform mechanical repairs and troubleshooting on pellet mills, dies, rollers, conditioners, coolers, hammer mills, and related production equipment
• Replace and align dies, rollers, bearings, gearboxes, shafts, and drive components on a planned schedule rather than a reactive one
• Perform welding and fabrication repairs (MIG, TIG, and/or stick) on equipment, frames, chutes, and structural components
• Troubleshoot electrical systems including motors, starters, control panels, sensors, and wiring; perform repairs and replacements as needed
• Read and interpret mechanical schematics, electrical diagrams, and equipment manuals
• Adjust and dial in pellet mills for optimal throughput, pellet quality, and die life
• Track parts inventory and recommend critical spares to keep on hand to support the PM program
• Identify recurring problems and recommend long-term improvements to extend equipment life
• Follow all safety protocols, including LOTO procedures

What You Need to Have

• Proven hands-on experience working directly with pellet mills — this is required, not preferred. Candidates without prior pellet mill experience will not be considered.
• Demonstrated experience building or running a preventative maintenance program on industrial production equipment
• Strong welding skills (MIG and/or stick at minimum; TIG a plus)
• Solid electrical troubleshooting knowledge — comfortable working with 120V, 240V, 480V three-phase systems, motors, and control circuits
• Mechanical aptitude with experience on heavy industrial equipment: bearings, gearboxes, hydraulics, pneumatics, and drive systems
• Ability to read blueprints, schematics, and electrical diagrams
• Discipline to follow through on PM schedules and documentation, not just chase breakdowns
• Own basic hand and power tools
• Ability to lift 50+ lbs, work in dusty environments, and climb on/around equipment
• Self-starter who can work independently and make sound repair decisions without hand-holding