Lead Facilities Technician

AstraZeneca • Frederick, MD

3d • $71,749 - $107,624 • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Facilities Technician is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance support, troubleshooting, and coordination of facility and utility systems that support pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory, office, and site infrastructure operations. This role requires extensive technical knowledge in specialized functions, along with a broad understanding of both general and specific aspects of facilities and utility operations and their application to complex problems commonly encountered in a regulated environment. The role supports the performance, reliability, and compliance of systems such as HVAC air handlers, refrigeration systems, cold rooms, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, drives, electrical switchgear, power distribution equipment, emergency generators, water systems, and other facility and utility equipment. The position may also support electrical equipment associated with process systems such as bioreactors, centrifuges, purification skids, purification columns, glasswashers, and autoclaves. The Lead Facilities Technician is expected to solve practical problems, manage varied and sometimes non-standard conditions, interpret written and technical instructions, and help direct the work of other non-exempt employees. The role requires strong planning, project coordination, communication, and documentation skills, particularly in GxP-regulated environments.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED
• 15+ years of relevant experience, with 5+ years in biotech/pharmaceutical industry environments preferred or required based on site expectations
• Valid Maryland Stationary Engineer license or ability to meet the site-specific legal/operational requirements for a Level 1 Stationary Engineer role
• Experience operating or supporting industrial utility systems, boilers, HVAC, or central plant equipment in a manufacturing, pharmaceutical, healthcare, institutional, or industrial environment
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems, pumps, valves, motors, heat transfer, and utility distribution systems
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, equipment manuals, SOPs, and technical procedures
• Basic computer skills for CMMS, work orders, logs, and building/plant monitoring systems
• Ability to work safely in compliance with EHS requirements
• Ability to work shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call coverage as required
• The position requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods, climb ladders and stairs, access mechanical spaces, lift up to 50 pounds, and work in environments with varying temperatures, noise levels, and operating mechanical equipment.
• The employee must be able to wear required PPE and perform duties in utility plants, clean rooms, rooftops, basements, mechanical rooms, and other technical areas as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated manufacturing environment
• Experience with BMS, BAS, SCADA, or plant utility monitoring systems
• Familiarity with GMP documentation practices
• Knowledge of boiler water treatment, chilled water systems, clean utilities, or critical facility operations
• Technical training, trade school, or associate degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial maintenance/engineering technology
• Experience with deviation support, change control, or operational investigations in a regulated environment

Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and support facility and utility systems to ensure safe, compliant, and continuous service for manufacturing, laboratory, and site operations.
• Perform routine inspections and rounds of mechanical rooms, utility spaces, clean rooms, rooftops, cold storage areas, and related equipment areas to verify proper operation and identify abnormal conditions.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and problem solving for complex issues involving HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, and utility systems where only limited standardization may exist.
• Support alarm monitoring and response for utility and facility equipment.
• Lead and coordinate the work of other non-exempt employees, including planning daily activities, prioritizing tasks, and supporting efficient execution of maintenance or operational work.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and internal departments to support maintenance, repairs, shutdowns, investigations, projects, and emergency response.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and support equipment such as HVAC air handlers, chillers, refrigeration equipment, cooling towers, pumps, drives, electrical switchgear, power distribution equipment, and emergency generators.
• Support refrigeration and controlled temperature systems, including cold rooms, refrigerators, freezers, ultra-low freezers (-80°C), incubators, cryogenic freezers, and HVAC systems.
• Perform or support work in one or more skilled trades, including HVAC/refrigeration, electrical, or plumbing.
• Read and interpret technical documentation, including mechanical schematics, P&IDs, electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, equipment manuals, SOPs, diagrams, and schedules.
• Perform basic maintenance activities using hand tools and other standard trade tools in accordance with approved procedures and safety requirements.
• Document work clearly and accurately in logbooks, work orders, permits, and electronic systems, ensuring completion of required GxP documentation in a timely manner.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance activities, including isolating equipment, preparing systems for maintenance, testing systems after work completion, and returning equipment to service.
• Work safely and in compliance with site SOPs, EHS requirements, GMP/GxP expectations, lockout/tagout, permit-to-work, confined space, hot work, and other safety procedures.
• Support reliability, energy efficiency, and continuous improvement efforts by identifying equipment inefficiencies, recurring failures, leaks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Communicate effectively with maintenance teams, facilities personnel, operations, contractors, and management to ensure alignment and proper escalation of issues.
• Mentor junior technicians.

Benefits

• Qualified retirement program (401(k) plan)
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Paid leaves
• Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage
• Short-term incentive bonus opportunity
• Eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles)
• Retirement contribution (hourly roles)
• Commission payment eligibility (sales roles)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED