Utilities Maintenance Technician

Utilities Maintenance Technician

Amentum is seeking an experienced and highly skilled Utilities Maintenance Technician to provide advanced technical expertise supporting critical utility infrastructure at a premier pharmaceutical research and development facility in Groton, CT. This role is essential to ensuring the reliable, safe, and efficient operation of the central power plant and utility systems that directly enable pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory, and research activities.

The Utilities Maintenance Technician serves as a subject matter expert responsible for responding to work orders, performing in-depth troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and delivering proactive, predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance on high-pressure boilers, steam turbines, industrial chillers (electric and absorption), boiler feedwater systems, cooling towers, compressed air/gas systems, vacuum systems, heat exchangers, pumps, valves, steam distribution networks, and all associated support equipment. All work is performed in a highly regulated cGMP pharmaceutical manufacturing environment with strict adherence to safety, quality, environmental, and operational standards.

Maintenance Execution & Technical Expertise

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair complex industrial mechanical systems including high-pressure firetube and water tube boilers, steam and gas turbines with auxiliaries, large electric and absorption chillers, high-pressure centrifugal boiler feedwater pumps, condensate and vacuum pumps, control valves and actuators, pneumatic/hydraulic systems, and related utility plant equipment.
• Execute predictive maintenance strategies using advanced diagnostic technologies: vibration data collection and analysis, infrared thermography for mechanical/electrical hotspots and refractory assessment, ultrasonic testing for steam traps/leaks/thickness, oil sampling and analysis interpretation, borescope inspections, and laser alignment of rotating equipment.
• Perform comprehensive preventive maintenance per CMMS schedules: lubrication, filter and strainer changes, bearing and seal replacements, packing and gasket work, belt/chain adjustments, precision alignment, cleaning of heat transfer surfaces, and functional testing of controls and safety devices.
• Maintain and optimize cooling tower systems: fan drive gearboxes, couplings, blade pitch/balance, fill media and drift eliminator inspection/replacement, basin sediment removal, distribution nozzles, makeup water controls, and vibration monitoring.
• Service high-pressure steam systems: boiler tune-ups and combustion analysis for efficiency and emissions compliance, steam trap testing/repair/replacement programs, condensate return systems, deaerator maintenance, and support for annual boiler inspections and insurance surveys.
• Maintain feedwater and pumping systems: high-pressure centrifugal pump overhauls (impellers, wear rings, mechanical seals, bearings), laser alignment, suction/discharge valve work, and coordination of chemical treatment interfaces.
• Perform maintenance on compressed air and gas systems: reciprocating, rotary screw, and centrifugal compressors; inter/aftercoolers; moisture separators; desiccant and refrigerated dryers; filter banks; pressure regulation; and ultrasonic leak detection/repair.
• Support heat exchanger maintenance: shell-and-tube cleaning (mechanical/hydroblast/chemical), tube bundle inspection and replacement support, gasket and bolting work, and performance monitoring via approach temperature trending.
• Conduct or assist with welding, pipefitting, fabrication, rigging, and heavy equipment handling for repairs, modifications, and equipment change-outs as qualified and authorized.
• Respond to emergency and urgent work orders with rapid diagnostics and repairs to minimize utility downtime impacting manufacturing operations; provide timely status updates and ETAs to stakeholders.

Compliance, Safety, Documentation & Quality

• Ensure all maintenance activities comply with applicable codes (ASME, NFPA, OSHA), regulations (EPA, CT DEEP), cGMP requirements, and site standards. Maintain complete, accurate documentation suitable for internal audits, regulatory inspections, and client reviews.
• Champion safety culture: develop and follow detailed Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), execute rigorous Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) for all energy sources (electrical, mechanical, thermal, pneumatic, hydraulic), utilize required PPE, and participate in confined space entry, hot work, and fall protection programs.
• Identify, report, and correct safety or reliability issues proactively; perform independent equipment condition assessments to prevent failures that could affect personnel safety, environmental compliance, or production continuity.
• Maintain precise CMMS records: create, update, and close work orders with detailed findings, parts consumed, labor hours, failure codes, and corrective actions. Support metrics reporting (PM compliance, backlog, MTTR/MTBF, work order aging).
• Support environmental programs through proper refrigerant handling (EPA 608), chemical management, wastewater system coordination, and emissions-related maintenance activities.

Continuous Improvement, Reliability & Team Support

• Analyze equipment performance trends and recommend improvements to maintenance strategies, PM frequencies, spare parts strategies, and equipment upgrades to enhance reliability, reduce costs, and improve energy efficiency (boiler combustion, chiller COP, steam trap management, VFD opportunities).
• Lead or participate in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations using structured methodologies (5-Why, fishbone, etc.); develop and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) to eliminate recurring issues.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, EHS, vendors, and capital project teams on equipment upgrades, new installations, commissioning, and major outage/turnaround planning and execution.
• Mentor junior technicians and operators; contribute to the development and refinement of SOPs, maintenance procedures, training materials, and knowledge transfer initiatives.
• Provide exceptional customer service through proactive communication, clear explanations of issues and resolutions, and a solutions-oriented approach to supporting manufacturing and research stakeholders.

Amentum Team Member Expectations

As an Amentum Technician supporting our pharmaceutical client, you are expected to:

• One Team Mentality: Work collaboratively in a team environment; be friendly, respectful, empathetic, and professional toward teammates and clients at all times.
• Respect & Inclusion: Value and respect employee authenticity and demonstrate cultural awareness to foster a welcoming, memorable, and respectful workplace.
• Workload Management: Balance multiple tasks and priorities while maintaining strong attention to detail; demonstrate flexibility when shifting priorities as requested by management.
• Initiative & Problem-Solving: Take ownership to resolve issues independently within scope; escalate appropriately; remain adaptable and solutions-focused under changing conditions.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent. Technical/vocational training, apprenticeship, or military experience in industrial maintenance, power plant operations, stationary engineering, or mechanical trades strongly preferred. Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or related field is a plus.
• Minimum five (5) to seven (7) years of hands-on experience as a maintenance technician in central utility plants, power generation/cogeneration facilities, large industrial boiler/chiller plants, or pharmaceutical/biotech utility operations. Advanced-level expertise demonstrated through progressively responsible roles is required.
• Extensive demonstrated experience maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing: high-pressure boilers (firetube/watertube), steam turbines and auxiliaries, electric and absorption chillers, high-pressure centrifugal boiler feedwater pumps, cooling towers, air/gas compressors (reciprocating, screw, centrifugal), heat exchangers, steam traps, centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, vacuum pumps, control valves, pneumatic systems, and associated piping and support equipment.
• Proficiency in predictive/condition-based maintenance techniques and tools (vibration analysis, thermography, ultrasound, oil analysis) with ability to interpret results and recommend actions.
• Strong mechanical skills including hydraulics, pneumatics, precision alignment (laser preferred), bearing/seal replacement, and basic electrical troubleshooting (motors, starters, VFDs, MCCs).
• Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) for work order management, asset data integrity, and reporting. Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, schematics, and OEM technical manuals.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to interface professionally with technicians, engineers, management, vendors, and client stakeholders across all levels.
• Proven ability to work safely, independently, and with high attention to detail in a fast-paced, highly regulated environment while consistently meeting compliance, quality, and schedule requirements.
• Valid driver's license; ability and willingness to work overtime, weekends, holidays, and participate in on-call rotations to support 24/7 utility operations.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident. Ability to obtain and maintain site-specific access authorization, including comprehensive background checks and drug screening.
• Ability to pass a medical evaluation for respirator use and successfully complete quantitative fit testing for required respirator types.

Required Licenses & Certifications