Start-up & Pump Build Technician

Location: Suwanee, GA

Department: Rep Field Services

Job Type: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (Overtime Eligible)

Reports To: Rep Service Manager

About Hoffman Hydronics

Hoffman Hydronics (HHY) provides hydronic HVAC and engineered plumbing solutions for commercial buildings, schools, hospitals, universities, industrial facilities, and other complex applications across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Georgia.

As part of the Hoffman family of companies, we partner with engineers, contractors, building owners, facilities teams, manufacturers, and fellow Hoffman companies to deliver reliable, sustainable heating and cooling systems. Hoffman Hydronics is a 100% employee-owned company through our ESOP, which means when we succeed together, every employee shares in that success.

Our culture is built on teamwork, shared accountability, innovation, mentorship, and a commitment to doing the job right. We are growing our Suwanee operation and are seeking a skilled, customer-focused technician to perform startup, warranty, troubleshooting, and field-service work while also providing in-house pump build and repair support.

Position Summary

The Start-up & Pump Build Technician is a field-service role responsible for factory-authorized startup, commissioning, warranty service, troubleshooting, performance verification, and customer training for commercial hydronic equipment. The technician works with boilers, water heaters, pumps, pump packages, booster systems, motors, VFDs, and related controls in commercial and institutional facilities.

In addition to regular field responsibilities, the technician will support the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, as field schedules and customer commitments allow. Shop responsibilities include pump build, repair, testing, documentation, and coordination with parts and equipment needed for customer projects and repairs.

The successful candidate combines strong field-service judgment with hands-on mechanical ability. They use manufacturer installation manuals, wiring diagrams, control schematics, piping drawings, startup checklists, and measured operating data to confirm equipment is installed correctly, operating safely, and documented thoroughly.

Key Responsibilities

Startup, Warranty, and field service

• Perform factory-authorized startup, commissioning, owner training, performance checks, warranty service, and troubleshooting for assigned hydronic equipment and product lines.
• Start up and support commercial boilers, water heaters, pumps, pump packages, booster systems, motors, VFDs, and related controls in accordance with manufacturer requirements.
• Review manufacturer installation manuals, wiring diagrams, control schematics, piping drawings, startup checklists, engineering information, and jobsite conditions before starting equipment.
• Verify installation readiness and identify deficiencies that prevent safe startup or proper operation.
• Verify applicable mechanical, electrical, control, water, venting, gas, and safety conditions before and during startup, as applicable to the equipment and assigned authorization.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydronic, and control-related issues using OEM manuals, service literature, wiring diagrams, test instruments, measured readings, and a methodical troubleshooting process.
• Safely use multimeters and other appropriate test instruments to check voltage, control voltage, motor rotation, disconnects, contactors, overloads, safeties, sensors, VFD settings, control signals, and wiring connections.
• Verify system performance against design intent and manufacturer requirements; make authorized adjustments to support proper operation, safety, and efficiency.
• Perform field laser alignment of pump and motor assemblies to support proper shaft alignment, reduce vibration, protect bearings and seals, and promote reliable operation.
• Support field pump repair, motor replacement, alignment, startup, and troubleshooting activities.
• Respond to warranty service calls, document equipment condition and operating data, identify likely causes, and coordinate appropriate corrective action with customers, contractors, internal teams, and manufacturers.
• Identify and clearly document installation deficiencies, improper wiring, missing components, incorrect settings, system contamination, air-related circulation problems, blocked flow paths, damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, and recommended corrective actions.
• Provide owner-operator and facilities-team training on normal equipment operation, alarms, basic maintenance, isolation procedures, and recommended next steps during a malfunction.
• Communicate professionally with contractors, building owners, facility personnel, controls contractors, engineers, manufacturers, and HHY teammates.
• Prepare complete service, warranty, and startup reports, including readings, settings, test results, photographs, deficiencies, corrective actions, and final status.
• Plan each field visit by confirming required tools, parts, manuals, drawings, safety equipment, startup forms, and job information.

In-house pump build and repair support

• Support the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, or as scheduled around customer-facing startup, warranty, and service commitments.
• Build, assemble, inspect, test, and document new pumps, pump packages, motors, and related equipment according to manufacturer specifications, customer requirements, and HHY quality standards.
• Disassemble centrifugal, submersible, and other pumps and rotating equipment for inspection, diagnosis, repair, and rebuild.
• Identify worn, damaged, or failed components, including mechanical seals, bearings, impellers, shafts, sleeves, couplings, gaskets, motors, and related hardware.
• Repair and rebuild pumps and associated rotating equipment using proper procedures, correct replacement parts, manufacturer guidance, and documented quality checks.
• Perform motor replacement, coupling installation, guard installation, and related rotating-equipment repair work.
• Conduct functional and performance checks on newly assembled or repaired equipment before release, shipment, installation, or return to service.
• Maintain accurate build records, repair logs, inspection findings, parts usage, photographs, test results, and final disposition of equipment.
• Assist with organization, inventory management, and identification of commonly used pump repair components and material needs.

Safety, teamwork, and organization

• Follow all HHY and jobsite safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, PPE, electrical safety practices, lifting and rigging procedures, hazard identification, and incident reporting.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe shop, work area, service vehicle, tools, and parts inventory.
• Coordinate with the Pump Build & Repair Manager, service team, parts team, sales, engineering support, contractors, controls teams, customers, and manufacturers to support timely, high-quality work.
• Participate in required technical, product, manufacturer, and safety training.
• Travel locally to customer sites on a regular basis, with occasional overnight travel as project needs, manufacturer training, or customer-support requirements dictate.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; technical or vocational training in HVAC, mechanical, industrial maintenance, electrical, controls, plumbing, or a related field preferred.
• 35+ years of hands-on experience with commercial hydronic systems, boilers, water heaters, pumps, motors, VFDs, rotating equipment, commercial HVAC equipment, industrial equipment, or a related field-service environment.
• Experience with commercial boiler, water-heater, pump, motor, VFD, or hydronic-system startup, service, repair, or warranty support.
• Ability to read and use wiring diagrams, control schematics, piping diagrams, OEM manuals, installation instructions, startup checklists, and service procedures.
• Working knowledge of basic electricity, motor controls, VFDs, and safe troubleshooting practices, including line voltage, control voltage, contactors, overloads, disconnects, motor rotation, sensors, safeties, and basic control signals.
• Ability to use multimeters and other appropriate test instruments safely and accurately.
• Experience with pump teardown, inspection, reassembly, and repair, including mechanical seals, bearings, impellers, shafts, couplings, gaskets, and motors.
• Experience performing field laser alignment on pump and motor assemblies.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills, especially under time pressure.
• Strong attention to detail, quality workmanship, organization, and technical documentation.
• Good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Comfortable using email, smartphones, digital reporting tools, and common software for communication and documentation.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record and ability to pass required background checks, drug screening, and jobsite requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain required product, manufacturer, and safety certifications.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and perform physical work in shop and field environments.

Preferred Skills

• Factory-authorized startup, warranty, or field-service experience.
• Experience with heating-water pumps, chilled-water pumps, boiler pumps, domestic-water booster systems, boilers, water heaters, VFDs, and controls.
• Familiarity with combustion-related startup procedures and equipment testing.
• Experience with building automation systems, pump controls, and basic control-system interfaces.
• Basic welding, fabrication, or machining skills.
• Forklift certification.
• OSHA 10, lockout/tagout, electrical-safety, confined-space, or other relevant safety training.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This position is primarily field-based, with scheduled shop responsibilities in the Atlanta pump shop approximately one to two days per week, as field commitments allow. Local travel is required for startup, commissioning, warranty, repair, installation support, troubleshooting, field laser alignment, and customer training. Occasional overnight travel may be required based on project needs, manufacturer training, or customer-support requirements.

Work may be performed in industrial shops, mechanical rooms, equipment rooms, rooftops, construction sites, schools, hospitals, universities, commercial buildings, and other active facilities. The position may involve exposure to noise, moving mechanical parts, varying temperatures, live electrical equipment, tight spaces, elevated locations, dust, water, fumes, and other conditions typical of shop and field-service work.

The technician must be able to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, climb ladders, use hand and power tools, safely move equipment and materials, and follow all required safety procedures.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience and technical capability.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• Company-provided technical, product, manufacturer, and safety training.
• Opportunities for growth within the Hoffman family of companies, including Hoffman & Hoffman, Hoffman Building Technologies, Hoffman Mechanical Solutions, and Hoffman Hydronics.
• A team-oriented culture focused on technical excellence, customer partnership, safety, and continuous learning.

Hoffman Hydronics is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.