Position: Plant Engineer
Reports To: COO
Hours: 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Overtime is often scheduled and is mandatory.
Compensation: $85,000 to $95,000 + hourly overtime, as necessary
Work Setting: Production Floor
The Mailworks is a woman-owned, family-run business specializing in results-driven direct mail campaigns for a nationwide client base. With 40+ years of experience and over 90 professionals across strategy, design, production, and technology, we combine deep industry knowledge with modern tools to help businesses grow. We produce and deliver 100M+ pieces annually from our in-house facility and are transforming the direct mail space through innovation, service, and our proprietary software platforms.
The Plant Engineer position encompasses a wide range of responsibilities focused on ensuring the optimal performance and longevity of production equipment. The role involves conducting preventive maintenance inspections and promptly addressing unexpected breakdowns. The Plant Engineer collaborates with management and third party vendors to schedule regular maintenance, coordinate modifications for new products, and implement test runs. In addition, the Plant Engineer maintains the smooth operation of the production space and equipment, participates in safety programs, and ensures permits and maintenance contracts are up to date.
Supervisory Responsibilities: This role has 1 direct report (Maintenance Technician).
Duties:
LEAD, MANAGE, AND HOLD ACCOUNTABLE
- Hold team members, department leaders, and vendors accountable to company standards, values, goals, and performance expectations.
- Build a high-performance culture rooted in The Mailworks' core values, ownership, continuous improvement, and recognition.
- Coach and develop direct reports through regular 1:1s, team meetings, mentoring, and clear feedback.
- Manage performance through quarterly reviews, documentation, and accurate Employee Performance Log updates.
- Make or support personnel decisions, including promotions, development plans, corrective action, and terminations.
- Own departmental Rocks, To-Dos, KPIs, and Scorecards, and drive follow-through in weekly L10 meetings.
- Set priorities, delegate effectively, remove blockers, and coordinate across teams to meet deadlines.
- Enforce SOPs, FBA standards, company policies, and applicable compliance requirements while maintaining accurate records.
- Lead hiring, onboarding, training, and offboarding in line with company SOPs and HR standards.
- Drive departmental initiatives tied to company Rocks, growth, performance, and profitability goals.
PREVENTATIVE & REACTIVE MACHINE MAINTENANCE
- Conduct routine preventive maintenance inspections and servicing of production machinery.
- Promptly identify and troubleshoot breakdowns to minimize production downtime.
- Repair or replace worn or damaged parts efficiently to restore full equipment functionality.
- Maintain detailed service logs and documentation of work completed.
- Complete assigned maintenance tasks and work orders within scheduled timelines using Asana.
- Ensure equipment downlogs are accurate and up-to-date, coordinating with operators for reporting.
- Maintain inventory of parts and tools and reorder supplies as necessary.
FACILITY & BUILDING MAINTENANCE
- Maintain the physical production space and its supporting systems (compressed air, power, lighting, climate, etc.), executing general facility maintenance tasks as needed.
- Ensure relevant permits, licenses, and maintenance contracts are tracked and renewed.
- Support safety initiatives by identifying and addressing hazards within the production space.
- Act as the main point of contact for third-party vendors on facility and equipment repairs, managing Building Maintenance Requests from intake through resolution and delegating vendor calls or scheduling to the appropriate team member as needed.
- Manage and coordinate equipment installations, including site preparation and vendor logistics.
- Verify installation specifications are met and systems are tested before operational hand-off.
OPERATOR & DEPARTMENTAL SUPPORT
- Provide hands-on support to machine operators, helping troubleshoot equipment during shifts.
- Monitor equipment while running to identify abnormalities or performance inefficiencies.
- Collaborate with operators and managers to implement improvements in machine setup or performance.
- Train operators on proper use and basic troubleshooting of machinery as needed.
TECHNICAL DOCUMENTATION & CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
- Read and interpret technical documents, manuals, and electrical schematics.
- Maintain and improve maintenance SOPs and ensure they are accessible to relevant stakeholders.
- Identify and recommend opportunities for equipment or process improvements.
- Track and analyze KPI data related to maintenance and equipment performance.
- Contribute ideas and feedback on ways to optimize uptime and machine reliability.
- Attend Production L10 meetings and contribute to Rocks, issues, and planning discussions.
Required Skills/Abilities:
- Exhibits Company Core Values: FLASH'D (Forward Thinking, Loyal, Accountable, Solutions Focused, Helpful, Dynamic)
- Bachelor's Degree: A 4-year degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering or a related field preferred; candidates with equivalent practical experience and a demonstrated track record in a similar role will also be considered.
- Familiarity with OSHA and local industrial safety codes
- Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills, including hands-on work with HVAC, pumps, piping, compressors, and rotating machinery
- Understanding of PLCs, motor controls, and power distribution systems
- Experience with AutoCAD or a similar CAD design program
- Proficiency in using hand tools, power tools, and shop equipment
- Ability to read technical manuals, wiring diagrams, and schematics
- Familiarity with task management software (Asana preferred), used here to track maintenance tasks and work orders
- Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to diagnose mechanical failures or process bottlenecks quickly under production pressure
- Capable of overseeing facility upgrades, expansions, and maintenance shutdowns from start to finish
- Strong communication skills, able to explain technical data clearly to non-engineer operators, vendors, and upper management
- Detail-oriented with a high sense of ownership and urgency
Physical Requirements:
- While performing the duties of this job the employee is required to regularly communicate, converse and exchange information with both other employees and supervisors. This position requires the ability to detect and report defective copy and material. The position requires the constant operation of print and mailing preparation machinery. This position requires the employee to constantly position oneself to maintain the workflow of their assigned machine. This includes moving and transporting both prepress and completed mailing copy. This position requires that the employee be able to manipulate and transport objects up to 50 pounds.
- Able to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and work in tight or awkward spaces for extended periods while servicing equipment
- Able to work at heights, including climbing ladders and accessing the roof, without fear of heights, and using appropriate fall protection
- Exposed to machine vibrations, moving mechanical parts, loud noise, and varying temperatures, including outdoor roof access and mechanical rooms
- May require attendance on weekends, holidays, and during emergency conditions such as inclement weather and power failures
- Regularly communicates and exchanges information with employees, supervisors, and vendors regarding equipment status, maintenance needs, and safety
Success Indicators
- Equipment downlog and maintenance tasks in Asana are kept current and complete.
- Preventive maintenance is completed on schedule, and equipment issues are diagnosed and resolved quickly to minimize downtime.
- Production space and building systems remain clean, organized, and fully functional, with permits and maintenance contracts current.
- Vendors are coordinated effectively across Building Maintenance Requests, equipment repairs, and installations, with clear ownership of scheduling.
- Equipment installations are executed on time and verified before hand-off.
- Operators receive timely support and equipment runs reliably across shifts.
- The Maintenance Technician is coached, developed, and held accountable to clear performance expectations.
- Rocks stay on track, with active follow-through in L10 and Issues meetings.
- SOPs and documentation are kept current as equipment, processes, and the production floor evolve.
Other Duties:
Please note that this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Vision insurance
Ability to Commute:
- Menands, NY 12204 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Menands, NY 12204: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
