We are looking for a dependable Industrial Maintenance Technician for an international manufacturer opening a new plant in the greater Des Moines area. This is a full-time, direct-hire position and the plant's first maintenance hire. At the start you are the whole maintenance department: you keep the building and the production equipment running, and you are the first call when something stops. Target start is December 2026. The exact plant location is shared during the interview.

This role needs 5 or more years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing or industrial plant. The equipment is new and includes welding machines, CNC machines, overhead cranes and air tools, so solid mechanical and electrical fundamentals matter more than any one machine brand. You will be on site while suppliers install the equipment, so you learn it from day one. A technical diploma in industrial maintenance or mechatronics, a welding or electrical certification, CNC or crane experience, or experience setting up maintenance at a new plant are all a plus.

This is hands-on work. You start before the rest of the team to power up the building, you work alone much of the time, and you stay with a breakdown until the equipment is running safely again. Expect early starts, overtime and occasional after-hours call-outs.

Schedule

Plant hours are about 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM. You start before the team to open the plant. Paid overtime and occasional after-hours call-outs.

Responsibilities

Open the plant each morning by starting the air compressor, lights and utilities, and confirm everything is ready before production begins.
Shut down the building and equipment safely at the end of the day.
Maintain and troubleshoot welding machines, CNC machines, overhead cranes and air tools.
Look after building systems, including compressed air, electrical panels, gas, heating and general utilities.
Carry out the preventive maintenance schedule and record all work in the company's maintenance software.
Respond to machine alarms and breakdowns and stay with the problem until the equipment is running safely again.
Diagnose faults on machines with sensors and PLC controls and explain the problem clearly to the manufacturer's service technicians.
Schedule and oversee outside service, including equipment suppliers, the forklift maintenance contractor, the utility company and snow removal.
Do basic forklift upkeep such as battery water, charging and cleaning, plus routine hydraulic oil checks.
Do light welding and small electrical repairs.
Work alongside equipment suppliers during installation and start-up of the new plant.

Requirements

5+ years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing or industrial plant (building or retail maintenance alone is not enough).
Strong mechanical skills and working electrical knowledge, including machines with sensors and PLC controls.
Experience with plant utilities such as air compressors, electrical panels, gas and heating systems.
Able to weld and do basic electrical work.
Able to read machine programs and manuals in English and work with inch measurements.
Available for early starts, overtime and occasional after-hours call-outs.
Reliable transportation to the plant year-round.