Plastics Manufacturing Jobs (NOW HIRING)

At Schaefer Plastics, we manufacture industry-leading solutions while driving responsible practices for a more sustainable future. As a family-owned company since 1937, we are committed to quality, innovation, and exceptional customer care. As a global injection molding manufacturer, we produce durable waste and recycling carts and reusable packaging systems designed to reduce environmental impact. Our Charlotte facility is a fast-paced, hands-on manufacturing environment where skilled maintenance technicians play a critical role in equipment reliability, production uptime, safety, and continuous improvement.

Job Summary

The Maintenance Technician II is responsible for troubleshooting, repairing, and maintaining injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, robotics, automation, and facility systems. This role requires solid hands-on experience with industrial maintenance and the ability to independently diagnose and repair mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic equipment issues.

The ideal candidate will have strong hydraulic and electrical troubleshooting skills, including the ability to read and interpret electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and mechanical schematics, symbols, wiring diagrams, and technical manuals. This role is expected to work with limited supervision, support production needs, complete preventive maintenance, and assist in developing less experienced maintenance team members.

Schedule: Overnight 2-2-3 rotating schedule, 7:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.

Job Duties:

• Troubleshoot and repair injection molding machines, auxiliary equipment, robotics, automation, and related production systems.

• Diagnose mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic equipment issues with limited supervision.

• Read and interpret hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical schematics, including symbols, wiring diagrams, component layouts, and technical manuals.

• Troubleshoot electrical circuits, sensors, motors, controls, relays, switches, heaters, thermocouples, and related machine components.

• Troubleshoot hydraulic systems, including pumps, valves, cylinders, hoses, fittings, pressure issues, flow issues, leaks, and component failures.

• Perform preventive maintenance according to established schedules and recommend corrective actions when repeat issues are identified.

• Complete assigned work orders using a computerized maintenance system.

• Assist with mold changes, machine start-ups, equipment adjustments, and production support as needed.

• Operate shop equipment, including milling machines, band saws, drill presses, lathes, welders, concrete drills, torches, electrical testers, and other maintenance tools.

• Use electrical testing equipment, meters, and diagnostic tools to troubleshoot equipment issues.

• Monitor and maintain facility services, including water, compressed air, and electrical supply.

• Identify and communicate the need for spare or replacement parts.

• Support Tier I technicians by providing technical guidance, troubleshooting support, and on-the-job training.

• Follow all safety rules and procedures, including lockout/tagout, fall protection, PPE, and company safety standards.

• Support housekeeping, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement efforts throughout the facility.

• Perform additional duties as assigned based on business needs.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.

• 3–5 years of industrial maintenance, manufacturing maintenance, or related technical experience preferred.

• Injection molding maintenance experience strongly preferred.

• Technical school, maintenance certification, military technical training, or apprenticeship experience is a plus.

• Experience with hydraulics, electrical systems, robotics, automation, and computerized maintenance systems preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong mechanical aptitude and hands-on troubleshooting ability.

• Solid working knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, mechanical, and electronic systems.

• Ability to read and understand hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and mechanical symbols and schematics.

• Ability to diagnose and repair mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, pneumatic, and robotic systems.

• Ability to use electrical testing equipment, diagnostic tools, and computerized maintenance systems.

• The ability to navigate and close out work orders properly in the CMMS system.

• Basic understanding of automation, robotics, sensors, controls, and machine safety systems.

• Ability to read and interpret operating instructions, maintenance manuals, procedure manuals, diagrams, and technical documents.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently, prioritize equipment issues, and communicate effectively with production and maintenance leadership.

• Ability to obtain forklift and aerial lift certification.

• Ability and willingness to work a 12-hour rotating shift schedule, including nights, weekends, and overtime as needed.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment

• Work is performed in a manufacturing environment with exposure to moderate to loud noise, moving mechanical parts, vibration, and work at heights.

• Must be able to stand for extended periods, walk, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, see, hear, and use hands to handle tools, parts, and equipment.

• Must be able to push, pull, lift, carry, or otherwise move up to 50 pounds.

Applicant Data & Privacy Notice

Schaefer Plastics North America, LLC collects and uses the personal information you provide during the application and recruiting process to evaluate your qualifications, communicate with you, schedule interviews, make hiring decisions, and, if selected, complete offer and onboarding activities. Applicant information may include your resume, contact information, work history, education, skills, interview notes, references, and other information you choose to provide or that is needed for the position. Please do not submit sensitive personal information irrelevant to the role, such as Social Security numbers, banking information, medical information, copies of identification, or other unnecessary personal documents, unless specifically requested at the appropriate stage of the hiring process. Your information will only be shared with individuals who have a legitimate need to know for recruiting and hiring purposes, such as Human Resources, recruiters, hiring managers, interview participants, and approved service providers or systems used in the recruiting process. Applicant information will not be forwarded to other departments, locations, or legal entities, or considered for unrelated future openings unless permitted by law or you have provided the required consent. Applicant records will be retained only as long as necessary for recruiting, legal, compliance, and recordkeeping purposes, and then deleted or destroyed in accordance with applicable retention requirements. If we would like to keep your information on file for future opportunities, we will request your consent where required.

Questions about how applicant data is handled may be directed to Human Resources or to the appropriate SSI SCHAEFER data protection contact.