Utility Maintenance Mechanic

MalaceHR is seeking an experienced Utility Maintenance Mechanic to support the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of critical utility systems within a Life Sciences Research and Development facility.

This position is responsible for maintaining reliable operation of HVAC systems, central plant equipment, purified water and clean steam systems, compressed gases, laboratory vacuum systems, and other mission-critical infrastructure. The ideal candidate will have strong mechanical troubleshooting abilities and experience working in highly regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, healthcare, or similar environments.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Utility Systems Operation & Maintenance

• Operate, monitor, troubleshoot, and maintain central utility plant equipment, including chillers, boilers, cooling towers, air handling units, pumps, and associated mechanical equipment.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on HVAC and critical utility systems.
• Maintain purified water systems, including WFI, reverse osmosis, deionization, electrode ionization, clean steam generators, and associated distribution loops.
• Maintain compressed air systems, nitrogen generation equipment, CO2 systems, and laboratory vacuum systems.
• Monitor and adjust HVAC equipment to maintain required temperature, humidity, airflow, and differential pressure conditions within laboratories, cleanrooms, and controlled environments.
• Utilize building automation systems (BAS), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), and energy management systems to monitor equipment performance and identify system issues.
• Perform basic plumbing, pipefitting, welding, electrical troubleshooting, and general mechanical repairs as needed.

Troubleshooting & Emergency Response

• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, HVAC, and control system failures and complete repairs in a timely manner.
• Respond to alarms, environmental excursions, equipment failures, and other urgent facility conditions.
• Participate in an every-other-week on-call rotation for after-hours emergency response.
• Perform root cause analysis on recurring equipment failures and recommend corrective actions.
• Coordinate maintenance activities with laboratory and research personnel to minimize disruption to critical operations.
• Support emergency repairs and mandatory overtime as operational needs require.

Compliance & Documentation

• Maintain accurate maintenance records, equipment histories, work orders, inspection documentation, and calibration records within the facility's CMMS.
• Perform maintenance activities in accordance with established standard operating procedures (SOPs), cGMP requirements, FDA regulations, and applicable industry standards.
• Support facility qualification and validation activities, including Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ).
• Assist during regulatory inspections and audits by providing maintenance documentation and technical information related to utility systems.
• Ensure completed work is properly documented and closed out according to site procedures.

Safety & Quality

• Perform all work in accordance with OSHA requirements, life safety codes, Environmental Health & Safety policies, and facility-specific safety procedures.
• Follow proper lockout/tagout procedures when servicing energized or potentially hazardous equipment.
• Follow confined-space entry requirements and fall-protection procedures when applicable.
• Maintain awareness of contamination-control practices and biosafety requirements when working within or near laboratory and research environments.
• Identify utility system conditions or deviations that could impact research integrity, environmental conditions, safety, or regulatory compliance.
• Properly utilize required personal protective equipment when working around chemicals, biological materials, electrical systems, and mechanical equipment.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3–5 years of hands-on experience maintaining industrial or commercial utility systems.
• Previous experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, laboratory, healthcare, life sciences, or another highly regulated environment strongly preferred.
• Universal EPA 608 Certification required.
• Demonstrated experience operating and maintaining:
  • Industrial chillers
  • Steam and/or hot water boilers
  • Cooling towers
  • Air handling units
  • Pumps and associated central plant equipment
• Working knowledge of purified water systems, including reverse osmosis, deionization, electrode ionization, and clean steam generation.
• Experience working with building automation systems (BAS), PLCs, and/or energy management systems.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, mechanical drawings, and equipment manuals.
• Working knowledge of plumbing, pipefitting, mechanical repair, electrical troubleshooting, and related maintenance disciplines.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate degree in Mechanical Technology, Electrical Technology, HVAC, or a related technical discipline.
• HVAC, boiler operation, stationary engineering, or other applicable trade certifications.
• Experience working within a BSL-2 or higher laboratory environment .
• Previous experience with cGMP-regulated facilities.
• Experience utilizing predictive maintenance and condition-monitoring technologies.
• Experience supporting facility qualification or validation activities.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of cGMP principles and regulatory requirements affecting utility systems within life sciences facilities.
• Knowledge of cleanroom classifications, critical HVAC parameters, environmental controls, and contamination-control practices.
• Ability to safely operate standard hand tools, power tools, meters, gauges, diagnostic instruments, and test equipment.
• Ability to independently diagnose complex mechanical, HVAC, electrical, and control-system issues.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with laboratory staff, researchers, contractors, vendors, management, and regulatory personnel.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to accurately document maintenance activities.
• Ability to prioritize work appropriately within a mission-critical facility.