Assistant Chief Engineer; bakery

Position Overview

The Assistant Chief Engineer is a management‑level role responsible for supporting the Chief Engineer in overseeing maintenance and engineering operations at a high‑speed, automated bakery facility in Hayward, CA. This position blends hands‑on floor work with administrative and leadership responsibilities, spending approximately 65% of time on the production floor and 35% in planning, documentation, and coordination. The ideal candidate brings strong technical expertise in automated bakery systems, a solid electrical background, and proven leadership experience guiding maintenance teams in fast‑paced production environments.

• Maintenance & Engineering Operations – Assist the Chief Engineer in managing all mechanical and electrical maintenance activities across the bakery, ensuring equipment reliability and minimal production downtime.
• Hands‑On Troubleshooting & Repairs – Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair high‑speed automated bakery equipment, including ovens, mixers, conveyors, packaging, and control systems.
• Team Leadership & Supervision – Supervise, train, and mentor maintenance technicians. Provide on‑floor guidance, skill development, and performance oversight to build a strong technical team.
• Preventive Maintenance Programs – Implement, monitor, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance schedules to maximize equipment uptime and lifespan.
• Production Collaboration – Work closely with production and operations teams to resolve equipment issues, support line efficiency, and optimize throughput.
• Safety & Compliance – Ensure compliance with all safety regulations, company policies, and industry standards. Promote a strong safety culture on the floor.
• Documentation & Reporting – Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, repairs, downtime, and spare parts inventory. Assist with reporting and maintenance planning.
• Continuous Improvement – Identify opportunities for process improvements, equipment upgrades, and cost‑saving initiatives within maintenance and engineering operations.

• Experience – Minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience in a high‑speed, automated bakery or food manufacturing environment.
• Technical Expertise – Strong mechanical aptitude with direct experience maintaining automated bakery equipment. Electrical background preferred, including troubleshooting motors, PLC‑related issues, sensors, and control systems.
• Leadership Skills – Demonstrated experience supervising, training, and mentoring maintenance technicians in a production setting.
• Work Style – Comfortable balancing hands‑on floor work with administrative and planning responsibilities (approximately 65% floor / 35% desk).
• Communication & Organization – Strong communication skills with the ability to work cross‑functionally and maintain clear, detailed documentation.

This role operates within a high‑speed, automated bakery environment and requires regular presence on the production floor. Flexibility to support off‑shifts, emergency repairs, or production demands may be required.