Start-up & Pump Build Technician

Hoffman & Hoffman•Cape Fear, NC

12d•Onsite

About The Position

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. Equipment includes boilers, water heaters, pumps, pump packages, booster systems, motors, VFDs, and related controls. The role also supports the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, as field schedules and customer commitments allow, with pump building, repair, testing, documentation, and coordination of parts and equipment. The technician uses manufacturer manuals, wiring diagrams, control schematics, piping drawings, startup checklists, and measured operating data to verify safe, correct equipment operation and thorough documentation. The position is primarily field-based, with local travel to customer sites and scheduled shop responsibilities. Occasional overnight travel may be required for project needs, manufacturer training, or customer support. Work takes place in industrial shops, mechanical and equipment rooms, rooftops, construction sites, schools, hospitals, universities, commercial buildings, and other active facilities. The role may involve 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. Hoffman Hydronics is part of the Hoffman family of companies and provides hydronic HVAC and engineered plumbing solutions. It is a 100% employee-owned company through its ESOP. The company describes its culture as focused on teamwork, shared accountability, innovation, mentorship, and doing the job right.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
3–5+ 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, including under time pressure.
Strong attention to detail, quality workmanship, organization, and technical documentation.
Good written and verbal communication skills and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Comfort using email, smartphones, digital reporting tools, and common software for communication and documentation.
Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
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.

Nice To Haves

Technical or vocational training in HVAC, mechanical, industrial maintenance, electrical, controls, plumbing, or a related field.
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.

Responsibilities

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 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.
Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydronic, and control-related issues using service literature, test instruments, measured readings, and a methodical troubleshooting process.
Use multimeters and other appropriate test instruments to check electrical and control components and conditions safely.
Verify system performance against design intent and manufacturer requirements and make authorized adjustments to support proper operation, safety, and efficiency.
Perform field laser alignment of pump and motor assemblies.
Support field pump repair, motor replacement, alignment, startup, and troubleshooting.
Respond to warranty service calls, document equipment condition and operating data, identify likely causes, and coordinate corrective action with customers, contractors, internal teams, and manufacturers.
Document installation deficiencies, improper wiring, missing components, incorrect settings, contamination, circulation problems, blocked flow paths, damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, and recommended corrective actions.
Train owners, operators, and facilities teams on normal equipment operation, alarms, basic maintenance, isolation procedures, and recommended next steps during malfunctions.
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 field visits by confirming required tools, parts, manuals, drawings, safety equipment, startup forms, and job information.
Support the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, or as scheduled around customer-facing commitments.
Build, assemble, inspect, test, and document new pumps, pump packages, motors, and related equipment according to specifications and 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, 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 build records, repair logs, inspection findings, parts usage, photographs, test results, and equipment disposition.
Assist with shop organization, inventory management, and identification of commonly used pump repair components and material needs.
Follow company and jobsite safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, PPE, electrical safety, lifting and rigging, 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.
Participate in required technical, product, manufacturer, and safety training.
Travel locally to customer sites regularly and occasionally overnight as project, training, or customer-support needs dictate.
Perform other related duties as assigned.