Cooling Tower Technician

Job Title: Cooling Tower Technician

Job Description

The Cooling Tower Technician supports the construction, erection, installation, fabrication, cleaning, and repair of various types of cooling towers at utility and manufacturing plant sites. This role requires the ability to perform assigned tasks independently, working diligently to complete work safely, efficiently, on schedule, and in line with high quality standards. The position involves frequent travel based on project location and duration, as well as physically demanding work in outdoor and plant environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the installation of mechanical equipment, including motors, fans, gear boxes, drive shafts, mechanical supports, and fan stacks.
• Support the selection of lumber and other construction materials required for each assigned job.
• Help prepare job layouts using rulers, tape measures, framing squares, calipers, and other measuring tools to ensure accurate dimensions.
• Assist with shaping materials to prescribed measurements using saws, chisels, grinders, and other hand and power tools.
• Participate in assembling cut and shaped materials to build and repair cooling tower structures.
• Assist with piping and nozzle installation as part of cooling tower repair, retrofit, and maintenance activities.
• Support the erection of structural framework for cooling towers and related components.
• Work at heights as needed while maintaining 100% tie-off and following all fall protection procedures.
• Perform general labor tasks such as lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, climbing, and carrying materials and equipment.
• Use hand tools and power tools, including saws, drills, wrenches, and power washers, to complete construction and cleaning tasks.
• Utilize power washing equipment to clean cooling tower components and related structures.
• Work outdoors and in plant environments, including exposure to weather, heat, and noise, while following all safety protocols.
• Participate in safety essentials training, including fall protection, confined space procedures, and OSHA 10 training provided by the employer.
• Communicate clearly with project leadership regarding availability, scheduling needs, and required time off to support effective project planning.
• Travel to project sites for periods ranging from several days to multiple weeks and complete assigned work to the required standards before returning home.

Essential Skills

• Experience performing general labor duties in construction or industrial environments.
• Ability to use hand tools such as saws, drills, wrenches, and measuring tools safely and effectively.
• Ability to operate power tools and equipment, including grinders and power washers.
• Comfort working at heights while using proper fall protection and maintaining 100% tie-off.
• Ability to work outdoors and in plant environments, including exposure to bad weather, excessive heat, and noise.
• Physical ability to lift up to 50 pounds, bend, climb, and perform physically demanding tasks throughout the workday.
• Strong interest in developing a long-term career in construction or industrial trades.
• Reliable communication skills to coordinate travel, scheduling, and time-off needs with project leadership.
• Willingness and ability to travel for projects, including being away from home for 1–4 weeks at a time when required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Prior cooling tower experience is a plus.
• Experience in HVAC is a plus.
• Willingness to complete safety essentials training, including fall protection, confined space training, and OSHA 10, with costs covered by the employer.
• Interest in learning and being trained in construction trades and industrial maintenance.
• Motivation to work in a performance-driven environment where strong effort and reliability are rewarded.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a traveling field crew at utility and manufacturing plant sites.

Why Work Here?

Employees benefit from a stable, growth-oriented environment that offers extensive training in construction trades and safety at no personal cost. The organization promotes from within, providing clear paths for advancement for motivated individuals. There are no seasonal layoffs, supporting consistent employment throughout the year. Team members who enjoy travel can take advantage of frequent project opportunities across multiple states, with hotel accommodations, travel time, and per diem provided for out-of-town work. The culture values strong work ethic, open communication about scheduling needs, and rewards money-motivated individuals with opportunities to increase earnings through steady project work.

Work Environment

Work takes place on-site at utilities and manufacturing plants, focusing on cleaning, repairing, and retrofitting cooling towers. The role involves outdoor work and time spent in plant environments, with possible exposure to bad weather, excessive heat, and noise. Technicians frequently work at heights and must use fall protection equipment and maintain 100% tie-off. The position requires lifting up to 50 pounds, bending, climbing, and using a variety of hand tools and power tools, including saws, drills, wrenches, grinders, and power washers. Travel is a regular part of the job, with assignments that may keep technicians away from home for 1–4 weeks at a time, as well as occasional local projects that do not require overnight stays. Longer assignments typically lead to longer breaks between projects, and scheduling is coordinated through proactive communication with project leadership. Hotel accommodations, travel time, and per diem are provided for out-of-town work, creating a structured and well-supported field environment.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of San Jose, CA.

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $27.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in San Jose,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Aerotek

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.