Lead Maintenance Mechanic
Date: Aug 18, 2026
Location: Federalsburg, MD, US
Company: Dart Container
Are you an experienced Lead Mechanic who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys leading teams, solving complex equipment issues, and driving plant performance? Join our team and play a critical role in maintaining equipment reliability, supporting maintenance operations, and helping our facility achieve world-class safety, quality, and production results.
Schedule: Work a rotating 2-2-3 schedule with 12-hour shifts, giving you every other weekend off. Available shifts:
- 7:00 pm - 7:00 am (includes $2/hour shift premium)
Who we are…
We're your top choice for foam cups, classic red SOLO cups, and convenient take-out containers, ensuring consumers can enjoy food and beverages anytime, anywhere. Our team members are the driving force behind our success, and we're committed to providing an environment where employees can grow, lead, and make an impact.
What we offer…
- Competitive pay: $33.75-$51.00/hour, based on experience and qualifications
- $2/hour shift premium for overnight shifts
- Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and more
- Career advancement opportunities and pay progression
- A strong safety-focused and team-oriented culture
- Training and development opportunities
- Tuition reimbursement for approved job-related programs
- Paid holidays and paid time off
What you'll do…
- Apply advanced maintenance expertise to perform a wide variety of maintenance responsibilities for production and facility equipment
- Support department efficiencies and maximize equipment uptime and output
- Provide lead support over production and facility maintenance operations that may span multiple departments, production lines, and technologies
- Spend approximately 85% of work time on the production floor supporting maintenance activities and team members
- Monitor safety, quality, production, efficiency, and service Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Audit work areas through Leader Standard Work, monitor productivity metrics, verify procedural compliance, and address deficiencies
- Coordinate maintenance resources and schedules with supervisors to ensure operational requirements are met
- Communicate equipment status, maintenance activities, and operational concerns between shifts and departments
- Perform advanced troubleshooting, diagnostics, root cause analysis, and corrective actions on complex equipment issues
- Utilize predictive maintenance technologies to collect and analyze equipment performance data
- Create, maintain, and complete required maintenance documentation and reports
- Process maintenance activities and work orders within SAP
- Support Operational Excellence initiatives and participate in continuous improvement efforts
- Recommend equipment, process, and procedural improvements to increase efficiency and reliability
- Train, mentor, and provide ongoing development to maintenance employees
- Provide feedback to supervisors regarding employee performance, development opportunities, and daily operations
- Install, maintain, repair, rebuild, and modify complex manufacturing and facility equipment
- Diagnose and repair mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and automated control systems
- Troubleshoot PLC-controlled equipment, control systems, software, hardware, and configurations
- Install and maintain piping systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, valves, regulators, and related equipment
- Inspect, test, operate, and diagnose machinery, motors, programmable controllers, and automated production equipment using specialized test equipment and software
What you'll bring… Required Qualifications:
- Minimum two (2) years of related maintenance experience in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
- High School Diploma or GED
- Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to lead maintenance teams
- Advanced mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot complex equipment issues
- Expert knowledge of hand tools, power tools, and industrial maintenance practices
- Experience performing root cause analysis and implementing corrective actions
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and tasks simultaneously
- Strong computer skills and experience with maintenance systems
- Experience with plant production software; SAP experience preferred
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Ability to train and develop maintenance personnel on equipment, processes, and procedures
- Advanced knowledge of pneumatics, hydraulics, pressure systems, and temperature controls
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints, technical manuals, mechanical drawings, and electrical schematics
- Experience using Microsoft Office applications including Excel and Word
- Experience operating diagnostic equipment, test instruments, and maintenance software
- Ability to operate Powered Industrial Trucks (PIT), hoists, and cranes and maintain certification
- Demonstrated English proficiency to support training, communication, safety, and quality requirements
Preferred Qualifications:
- Associate or Bachelor's Degree in Industrial Maintenance, Mechatronics, Electro-Mechanical Technology, Engineering Technology, or related field
- Previous training, coaching, or maintenance leadership experience
- Experience with PLCs, CNC equipment, automation systems, robotics, or industrial controls
- Electrical troubleshooting experience including motors, drives, and control systems
- Experience in packaging, plastics, consumer products, paper converting, or high-speed manufacturing environments
- Knowledge of predictive maintenance technologies and reliability-centered maintenance programs
- Experience with machining, welding, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, or additional skilled trades
Why join us? This is more than a maintenance role. As a Lead Mechanic, you'll be a key technical resource and mentor within the plant, helping drive equipment reliability, employee development, operational excellence, and continuous improvement. If you're an experienced maintenance professional who enjoys leading by example and making a measurable impact on plant performance, we'd love to hear from you.
Overview: Dart makes everyday products that give people the freedom to enjoy the food & drinks they love, wherever they are. From to-go containers and dinnerware to tamper-evident food packaging and even the red SOLO cup, Dart products have been keeping people on the go and having fun for 65 years. We’re a family-owned, family-focused company of 12,000 employees united by a shared set of values and dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. Headquartered in Mason, MI, with 30 locations in three countries, we’re proud of our ability to innovate, manufacture and lead the way with each new generation of quality products.
Benefits: Dart Container full-time employees enjoy great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) with company matching contributions, paid vacation, paid holidays, short-term disability, tuition assistance, product discounts and more.
Dart Container is a drug-free workplace. Candidates are subject to a drug test (excluding THC*/marijuana/cannabis) and background check at the time of offer.
*THC testing ONLY when such testing is required by law.
Dart Container is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all candidates for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
https://www.dartcontainer.com/eeoaa/
If you have a disability and need an accommodation to access this website or for the application process, you should call Dart at (800) 545-3278 Ext 3370 or email us at ADArequests@dart.biz. Relay calls can be made by dialing 711 or the relay number for your state.
If you experience difficulty applying online, you may call (800) 545-3278 Ext 3390 or email us at applicationassistance@dart.biz for assistance.
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