Senior Utilities Operator

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 115,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries.

Working at Abbott

• At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and family, be your true self and live a full life. You’ll also have access to:

• Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of.

• Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year.

• An excellent retirement savings plan with high employer contribution

• Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree.

• A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries around the world and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune.

• A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as a best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists.

The Opportunity

This position works out of our Abbott Park, IL location in the GES Global Engineering Services division.

Lake County Utilities is a 24/7 operations and is responsible for the generation and distribution of plant utilities (Chilled Water, Compressed Air, Fresh Water, Electricity, Natural Gas, Purified Water, Steam/Condensate, etc.) to the Abbott Park, Abbott Park East, and K-Complex Sites. The facilities on these sites consist of manufacturing rooms, research and development and/or quality control laboratories, raw materials and final product warehouses, administration offices and other spaces.

The primary function of this position is the plant utilities systems operations; and the maintenance of the mechanical equipment and systems in a safe, reliable manner, and to ensure repairs are made in compliance with all applicable corporate, state, and federal requirements. 

What You’ll Work On

• Overseeing the utilities generation and distribution equipment operation needed to maintain the utilities needs to Abbott Park. This includes the operation of boilers, chillers, compressors, distillation units, gauges and controls, pumps, fans, and more.

• Maintain the sanitary effluent sample stations and obtain samples for Corporate Environmental Control and North Shore Water Reclamation District.

• Oversees the utilities process represented at the control room Distributed Control System and makes observations to detect any equipment problems and acts to correct those problems.

• Adjustments and controls to respond to requested levels, setpoints, and parameters needed.

• Obtain samples and conduct laboratory analysis on boiler water, tower water, condensate, potable and service water, and record reading as per utilities procedures directions and forms.

• Troubleshooting and repairs are necessary the mechanical and machine components for utility systems

• Support the fabrication and installation or rearrangement of new or existing equipment

• Conduct equipment and system periodic lubrications and inspections

• Performs and/or coordinates preventive and demand maintenance of utilities equipment such as air compressors, boilers, chillers, cooling towers, distillation units, water softeners, etc.

• Respond to equipment and/or plant/site emergencies

• Use of precision tools and equipment to complete mechanical maintenance jobs

• Able to comprehend and utilize complex manuals, drawings, etc. related to the installation/modification/maintenance of equipment and/or systems

• Audit equipment and develop replacement part lists

• Lead other personnel and/or external service providers in completion of tasks

• Providing on-the-job training for new employees including directing other Abbott personnel and/or external service providers in the completion of tasks

• Follow all plant, site, etc. procedures, GMP, and safety rules

• Execute proper lockout/tag out and confined space entry procedures

• Fully support Maintenance Excellence program including, but not limited to, work order planning, scheduling, execution, and completion practices.

• Works independently w/ minimum supervision

• Follow all plant and department procedures, GMPs, JSAs and general plant safety rules

Lead/Support efforts involving/related to:

• Oversees equipment useful life inspections (i.e. boilers, condensate tanks, etc.)

• Serve as a operations and maintenance resource to other Abbott organizations beyond Lake County Utilities

• Supports larger efforts as required (i.e. capital project installations, site/plant recovery activities, etc.)

• Additional responsibilities as required

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED

• A Minimum of 7-10 years of experience as an industrial and/or commercial Mechanic/Maintenance Technician or the equivalent job experience or training 

• Understanding of mechanical systems and equipment, including but not limited to pumps, valves, piping, etc.

• Knowledge of hydraulic and pneumatic systems, proper lubrication procedures with oil and grease, etc.

• Ability to troubleshoot and determine the cause of improper machine operation and make/coordinate necessary adjustments and repairs to return to proper operation

• Capable of using standard department information tools, including but not limited to, CMMS, computers, tablets, data gathering systems, logs, etc.

• Good mathematical, written, and verbal communication skillsets

• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent activities

• Strong willingness to listen and learn

• Attention to detail and follow up

• Possess a critical thinking mindset and can provide unsolicited, innovative solutions

• Leads by example

• Ability to thrive in team environment w/ skillsets to negotiate and reconcile differences

• Maintains effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks, environment, process, schedule, etc.

• Take prompt action, beyond minimum requirements, to complete objectives

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in/with:

  • Pump maintenance, repair, and alignment

  • Maintenance of utilities equipment/systems (boilers/steam & condensate, chillers & cooling towers/chilled water, compressors/compressed air oil-free, distillation units/pretreatment & purified water, etc.)

  • Maximo and/or CMMS maintenance programs

• Technical/Trade school completion/certification/training or equivalent

• Multi-skill capability with familiarity with the application and operation of tools and equipment used by various trades and/or service providers

• Knowledgeable of various software applications, including but not limited to, Microsoft Applications (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Word, etc.), etc.

• Understanding of Quality systems/programs and maintaining the proper GMP/compliance environment as required

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives:

Follow your career aspirations to Abbott for diverse opportunities with a company that can help you build your future and live your best life. Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to employee diversity.

Connect with us at , on Facebook at and on Twitter @AbbottNews and @AbbottGlobal

The base pay for this position is $22.50 – $45.00 per hour. In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.]]><