Robotics Apprentice Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

$40/hour base pay (based on experience), plus $2.00/hour shift differential for night shifts.

Now offering a $2,500 Sign-On Bonus!!!

Location: Verona VA

This position is responsible for maintaining electrical and mechanical systems on all automation equipment. (S)he will be responsible for troubleshooting electrical and mechanical problems and implementing corrective and preventative measures. Follow all required work safe practices. This would include compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices, wearing of all required PPE in designated areas, confined space safety, safe chemical handling, fall restraints, etc.

Essential Duties

• Lead, coach, and support a team of maintenance technicians to ensure safe, efficient, and effective execution of maintenance activities
• Plan, prioritize, and assign daily maintenance work to maximize equipment uptime and production reliability
• Maintain and repair a wide range of high-speed dairy processing, packaging, utility, and automation equipment
• Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities to minimize downtime
• Utilize diagnostic equipment and maintenance technologies to troubleshoot, analyze, and proactively identify equipment failures
• Coordinate maintenance activities with Production, Quality, Warehouse, and Sanitation teams to minimize operational disruptions
• Provide technical guidance and hands-on support for complex mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic, and control system issues
• Lead root cause analysis investigations and implement sustainable corrective actions for recurring failures
• Monitor equipment performance metrics and identify opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, and maintenance effectiveness
• Ensure compliance with all food safety, SQF, GMP, HACCP, OSHA, LOTO, and company safety requirements
• Execute and enforce preventative maintenance schedules through the CMMS system
• Participate in production startup, changeovers, and shutdown activities as required
• Support emergency maintenance response efforts during equipment breakdowns
• Train and develop maintenance technicians to improve technical skills and career progression
• Ensure accurate documentation of maintenance activities, equipment history, and regulatory records
• Demonstrate strong leadership, accountability, and consistent attendance
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support plant operations

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Technical degree, industrial maintenance certificate, apprenticeship, or equivalent preferred
• 5+ years of industrial maintenance experience in a manufacturing environment
• 2+ years of maintenance leadership, lead technician, or supervisory experience preferred
• Experience in dairy, food, beverage, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of dairy processing systems including:
  • HTST and UHT pasteurization systems
  • CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems
  • Homogenizers
  • Pumps and pump systems
  • Mix-proof and sanitary valve systems
  • Heat exchangers
  • Raw and finished product tanks
• Strong troubleshooting expertise in:
  • Rotary fillers and filling systems
  • Case packers
  • Palletizers and depalletizers
  • Conveyance systems
  • Labeling and coding equipment
  • Automated packaging systems
  • Robotic palletizing
• Advanced understanding of electrical systems ranging from 24V controls through 480V industrial power distribution
• Demonstrated proficiency with:
  • Allen-Bradley PLCs
  • FactoryTalk software
  • Servo drives and motion control systems
  • VFDs
  • HMI systems
  • Industrial networking and communications
• Ability to read and interpret:
  • Electrical schematics
  • P&IDs
  • Mechanical drawings
  • Equipment manuals and technical specifications
• Strong understanding of:
  • Predictive maintenance technologies
  • Vibration analysis
  • Thermography
  • Precision alignment
  • Bearing analysis
• Experience utilizing CMMS systems for maintenance reporting
• Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills
• Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced production environment
• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities
• Working knowledge of food safety programs including SQF, HACCP, GMPs, and sanitation processes
• Flexible supporting rotating shifts, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-ins as needed
• Ability to safely perform physical requirements of the position, including lifting, climbing, reaching, bending, and working in industrial environment

Physical Demands: 

• Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds 
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds 
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds 
• Regularly stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, or crawl
• Ability to reach and handle objects, tools, or controls

Corporate Summary: 

At Shamrock Foods Company, people come first – our associates, our customers, and the families we serve across the nation. A privately-held, family-owned and -operated Forbes 500 company, Shamrock is an innovator in the food industry and has been since being founded in Arizona in 1922.

Our Mission:

At Shamrock Foods Company, we live by our founding family’s motto to “treat associates like family and customers like friends.”

Why work for us?

Benefits are a major part of your overall compensation, and we believe offering them at an affordable cost is not only the right thing to do, but it helps keep you and your family healthy.  That’s why Shamrock Foods pays for the majority of your health insurance, allowing you to take home more of your paycheck.  And it doesn’t stop there - our associates also enjoy additional benefits such as 401(k) Savings Plan, Profit Sharing, Paid Time Off, as well as our incredible growth opportunities, continued education and wellness programs.

Equal Opportunity Employer

At Shamrock Foods Co all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.