HVAC Tech, Maintenance

Merck•Durham, NC

7d•$57,900 - $91,200

About The Position

The HVAC&R Technician provides equipment troubleshooting and maintenance support for ongoing facility and manufacturing operations, site growth initiatives, and vaccine process equipment. The role follows standard operating procedures and preventative maintenance plans, documents work, and completes SAP transactions and change-control activities, including maintaining spare-part lists and PM plans. The technician works with Operations, Quality, Automation, Technology, contractors, and other groups to support compliant, reliable operations and continuous improvement. The position focuses on industrial HVAC&R systems, including industrial refrigeration, direct-expansion systems, chillers, cascade refrigeration, freezers, air handlers, and cold boxes. It also supports chilled-water, glycol, plant-steam and condensate systems, as well as automated systems such as DCS and PLCs. Duties include routine and corrective maintenance, equipment troubleshooting and repair, calibration and testing support, spare-parts management, contractor coordination, work-order completion, equipment-performance evaluation, and maintaining equipment in a compliant state. Work must comply with cGMP, safety, environmental, hazardous-energy-control, and applicable calibration and maintenance procedures. The role works in a team-based environment while also requiring independent performance, clear shift-to-shift communication, strong planning and organization, and effective customer service. The regular schedule is rotating nights, with on-call coverage during nights and weekends. Physical work includes lifting up to 50 pounds, climbing, working at elevated equipment, and walking, bending, crawling, and stooping. Cleanroom gowning and personal protective equipment are required when performing job duties.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent.
At least 2 years of plant maintenance experience with technical craft knowledge in one or more of instrumentation, electrical, plumbing, advanced mechanical, HVAC, or multi-stage refrigeration systems.
HVAC and instrumentation troubleshooting skills, including the ability to troubleshoot complex HVAC systems.
Ability to read electrical prints, P&IDs, and electrical drawings, and understand P&ID control loops; mechanical aptitude and ability to read blueprints are also required.
Proficiency with computers and applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and Microsoft Windows; technical capability with PLCs and CMMS calibration/maintenance database systems.
Valid EPA 608 Certification, or ability to obtain it within 30 days of employment or before the first day of employment.
Availability for an off-hours on-call rotation and weekend overtime.
Ability to lift 50 pounds, climb ladders and stairs, work on platforms and equipment above floor level, and perform walking, bending, crawling, and stooping.
Ability to work in a team and independently, with strong interpersonal, organizational, planning, scheduling, and time-management skills.
Excellent written documentation and verbal communication skills, including clear shift-to-shift communication.
Proficiency using general hand and power tools, instruments, and testing apparatus commonly used in maintenance and instrumentation.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and advance several tasks in parallel to completion.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment and perform duties requiring cleanroom gowning.

Nice To Haves

Experience with industrial refrigeration systems; alternatively, experience in mechanical, electronics, electrical, or instrumentation fields.
Experience in a cleanroom or GMP/regulated manufacturing environment, including regulated industries such as FDA-regulated manufacturing.
Experience with maintenance database systems.
Knowledge of SAP, Allen-Bradley PLCs, and Siemens Apogee BAS.
Strong knowledge of industrial HVAC and building automation systems.
Strong knowledge of industrial refrigeration systems, including DX, cascade, and absorption systems.
Experience with desiccant dehumidification systems and room-pressure controls.
Industrial utility-system experience involving generation, distribution, and control, with knowledge of steam, compressed air, refrigeration, and water systems.
Knowledge of Siemens APOGEE/Desigo BAS.

Responsibilities

Troubleshoot, maintain, and repair facility, manufacturing, vaccine-process, HVAC, refrigeration, and utility equipment and systems.
Follow standard operating procedures and preventative maintenance plans; complete preventative maintenance, calibration, and corrective maintenance work orders.
Document individual and team activities and maintain clear, consistent communication between shifts.
Complete SAP transactions and change-control activities, including updating spare-parts lists and preventative maintenance plans.
Support industrial HVAC&R and refrigeration systems, chilled-water and glycol systems, plant steam and condensate systems, and automated systems such as DCS and PLCs.
Perform routine maintenance such as gasket and diaphragm replacement, lubrication, filter changes, rotating-equipment inspections, and process-equipment adjustments.
Use SAP, ProCal, Lab X, Pi, and other maintenance or compliance systems to maintain PM programs and assess equipment.
Order and maintain spare parts for assigned equipment and place orders through the MRO system.
Coordinate repair and maintenance schedules with other departments, contractors, and technical disciplines.
Assist with calibration, automation, validation, and other testing as required.
Resolve deviations, evaluate equipment performance, and ensure applicable equipment and systems remain in a compliant state.
Identify necessary revisions, deletions, or additions to calibration and maintenance programs and ensure work follows established safety, GMP, and maintenance procedures.
Facilitate contractor work by obtaining bids, reviewing contracts, supervising execution, and auditing time and material reports.
Maintain schedule adherence and support unplanned calibration and maintenance work; troubleshoot equipment and perform required repairs.
Perform equipment maintenance and repair safely using Hazardous Energy Control Procedures and comply with cGMP, safety, environmental requirements, and applicable regulations and permits.
Work with colleagues to improve internal and external customer service and meet quality, quantity, and delivery expectations.
Support the site and departmental missions, including continuous improvement and high-quality, cost-effective, on-schedule products and services.