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Distillery Maintenance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Distillation Operator (Open to candidates with Blending Technician experience) Pay: Depending on ... Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work area, including proper cleaning and preparation of ...

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Distillery Maintenance information

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How much do distillery maintenance jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for distillery maintenance in the United States is $31.57, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $38.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the career path in a distillery?

A career in distillery maintenance typically starts with entry-level technician roles responsible for equipment upkeep and repairs. With experience, technicians can advance to senior maintenance positions, supervisory roles, or specialized technical roles, often requiring knowledge of plumbing, electrical systems, and safety protocols. Certifications in industrial maintenance or specific equipment can support career progression within the industry.

What is the difference between Distillery Maintenance vs Brewery Maintenance?

AspectDistillery MaintenanceBrewery Maintenance
CertificationsGeneral HVAC, electrical, mechanical skillsSimilar certifications, often including HVAC and plumbing
Work EnvironmentDistilleries with specialized equipment for spiritsBrewery facilities with brewing and fermentation equipment
Industry UsagePrimarily in spirits productionPrimarily in beer production
Job ResponsibilitiesMaintaining distillation equipment, boilers, tanksMaintaining brewing tanks, fermentation vessels, piping

Distillery Maintenance and Brewery Maintenance share similar skills and work environments, focusing on equipment upkeep in beverage production facilities. The main difference lies in the specific equipment and processes related to spirits versus beer production. Both roles require technical skills in mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, making them closely related in the industry.

How much money does a distiller make?

A distillery maintenance worker's salary varies depending on experience, location, and employer, but typically ranges from $40,000 to $70,000 annually. Skilled workers with certifications and experience in equipment repair and safety protocols tend to earn higher wages.

What jobs pay 2000 a day?

In the context of distillery maintenance, high-paying roles such as senior maintenance managers or specialized technicians can earn around $2,000 per day, especially with extensive experience, certifications, and working in high-demand environments. These positions often require advanced skills, safety training, and sometimes overtime or shift work to reach such compensation levels.

What's the highest paid maintenance job?

In maintenance roles, specialized positions such as industrial maintenance managers or senior plant engineers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding $80,000 to $100,000 annually. These roles typically require advanced technical skills, certifications, and experience in managing complex equipment and systems within manufacturing or industrial environments.

What are distillery maintenance workers?

Distillery maintenance workers are responsible for ensuring that all equipment and machinery at a distillery operate smoothly and efficiently. Their tasks include inspecting, repairing, and maintaining production equipment such as stills, pumps, boilers, and conveyor systems. They also perform preventative maintenance to minimize downtime and ensure that safety and quality standards are met. This role is essential for keeping the distillery running effectively and producing high-quality spirits.

What are some common challenges faced in a distillery maintenance role and how can they be managed?

Distillery maintenance professionals often encounter challenges such as managing the upkeep of aging equipment, ensuring safety compliance in a potentially hazardous environment, and minimizing downtime during production. Staying organized with preventative maintenance schedules and responding quickly to unexpected breakdowns are crucial for success. Effective communication with production teams and staying up-to-date with industry safety standards can help manage these challenges and ensure smooth operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Distillery Maintenance Technician, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Distillery Maintenance Technician, you need a solid background in mechanical and electrical systems, often supported by vocational training or relevant certifications. Familiarity with tools such as PLC systems, boilers, pumps, and HVAC equipment is essential for troubleshooting and repairs. Attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team are crucial soft skills. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and uninterrupted operation of distillery equipment, directly impacting production quality and workplace safety.
More about Distillery Maintenance jobs
What cities are hiring for Distillery Maintenance jobs? Cities with the most Distillery Maintenance job openings:
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What job categories do people searching Distillery Maintenance jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Distillery Maintenance jobs are:
Infographic showing various Distillery Maintenance job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 76% Part Time, 5% Temporary, 9% Contract, and 5% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,662 per year, or $31.6 per hour.

Distillery Quality Control Specialist

IJW Whiskey Company

Shelbyville, KY • On-site

$60K - $70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

IJW Whiskey Company, LLC (IJW) is a dynamic, fully integrated spirits company. Founded in 2017, we've compiled the largest independent library of aged Kentucky bourbon and rye and established a global presence including offices in Beverly Hills, Louisville and Tokyo, Japan, a 40-acre campus in Danville. Our ambitious growth trajectory includes a new whiskey distillery in Shelbyville, KY, slated for completion in early 2026, and a Japanese distillery in Chitose that that will be completed in late 2026.
With over 100 years of combined industry expertise, our diverse team of seasoned professionals and dynamic newcomers has propelled IJW to the forefront of the spirits industry. Our strategic partnership with one of the nation's largest independent Wine & Spirits distributors has enabled us to offer 22 products across four unique private label bourbon brands in 28 states. We have added to our spirits portfolio with our first Tequila and Mezcal brands.
Role Overview:
Responsible for monitoring quality and adherence to specifications for all whiskey production. Provides information to production employees on the interpretation and application of related quality standards by using problem solving techniques and objective testing to ensure conformance to standards. Collects and reports quality, production, and process information to management. Primary conductor of laboratory testing and other departmental activities to maintain compliance with TTB regulations and quality standards. Responsible for coordinating the qualitative analysis of raw materials, intermediates, and new whiskey samples collected throughout the distillation process and chemical analysis, adjustment, and approval for grains, fermentations, distillate, and by-products.
Responsibilities:
  • Perform HPLC analysis of mash/beer daily and as required.
  • Perform accurate and timely analysis of raw materials, production, by-product samples and any other samples that may be necessary to monitor the production process.
  • Perform data entry and analysis as required to maintain production logs or other data capture tools.
  • Perform routine maintenance and calibration of all distillery laboratory and production monitoring equipment to ensure compliance.
  • Participate in process and product troubleshooting efforts and provide analytical support as requested. Partner with Operations to troubleshoot material quality concerns.
  • Maintain statistical process control charts and lead reviews with operations to drive improvements to yield and quality.
  • Responsible for the quality root cause corrective action program in the distillery.
  • Ensure that routine sensory and training samples are pulled, prepared, and tested as required.
  • Assist with result interpretation and analysis.
  • Conduct Quality System audits as assigned. Follow up with stakeholders to ensure corrective actions are taken to address findings.
  • Document process deviations and report to management.
  • Maintain awareness and demonstrate willingness to conform to all hygiene and sanitation requirements as detailed in the Quality Standards.
  • Testing: Monitor incoming grain quality through grain testing.
  • Milling: Monitor the milling process through sieve analysis.
  • Mashing: Monitor mash and beer as needed to ensure process control and quality.
  • Fermentation: Monitor fermentation process to identify any deviations in product and process. Report out of specification conditions to Distillery and QC management.
  • Distillation: Monitor still operation by analyzing samples for proof and base loss.
  • New Whiskey Load out: Sample, monitor and report load-out activities to ensure accuracy of the distillery yield metric and TTB reporting requirements. Ensure compliance with new whiskey security protocols throughout the process.
  • Ensure that all distillery water systems adhere to water quality standards and specifications.
    Assist in providing Quality training for all employees as needed.
  • Must meet/comply with all safety requirements, attend required training, and wear personal protective equipment where required.
  • Responsible for covering distillery, bottling, or processing operations due to vacation, leave, or as

Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's Degree Chemistry, Microbiology, Chemical Engineering or related field and a minimum of 2 years of distillery quality related experience or experience in beverage/food industry, analytical methods and laboratory procedures including general laboratory equipment.
  • Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
  • Experience with analytical instrumentation
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct analytical testing by following test methods and accurately interpreting results.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Possess physical capabilities to safely satisfy work requirements within industrial work settings.
  • Includes the expectations of bending and lifting heavy objects (50+lbs).
  • Able to work in a hot/cold, noisy work environment, climb steps/walk/stand for extended periods of time and tolerate exposure to alcohol fumes, carbon dioxide and grain dust (corn, rye, malted barley).

What You Can Add to the Team:
  • Experience in the beverage or food industry.
  • Professional certifications related to Quality.
  • Knowledge of TTB regulations.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Statistical Process Control.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of HACCP and GMP's