Start-up & Pump Build Technician

Hoffman & Hoffman•Lumberton, 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. The technician works with boilers, water heaters, pumps, pump packages, booster systems, motors, VFDs, and related controls in commercial and institutional facilities. The role also supports the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, as field schedules and customer commitments allow, including pump building, repair, testing, documentation, and coordination of parts and equipment for customer projects and repairs. The position combines field-service judgment with hands-on mechanical ability. The technician uses manufacturer installation manuals, wiring diagrams, control schematics, piping drawings, startup checklists, and measured operating data to confirm equipment is installed correctly, operating safely, and documented thoroughly. Work is primarily field-based and includes regular local travel, scheduled shop responsibilities, and occasional overnight travel. The technician may work in industrial shops, mechanical and equipment rooms, rooftops, construction sites, schools, hospitals, universities, commercial buildings, and other active facilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
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 startup, service, repair, or warranty support for commercial boilers, water heaters, pumps, motors, VFDs, or hydronic systems.
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, especially 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 and 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.
Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, climb ladders, use hand and power tools, and safely move equipment and materials.

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 according to manufacturer requirements.
Review installation 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 manuals, service literature, diagrams, test instruments, measured readings, and methodical troubleshooting.
Use multimeters and other appropriate test instruments to check voltage, control voltage, motor rotation, disconnects, contactors, overloads, safeties, sensors, VFD settings, control signals, and wiring connections.
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 and 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, system contamination, air-related circulation problems, blocked flow paths, damaged equipment, unsafe conditions, and recommended corrective actions.
Train owners, operators, and facilities teams on normal operation, alarms, basic maintenance, isolation procedures, and recommended next steps during a malfunction.
Communicate professionally with contractors, building owners, facility personnel, controls contractors, engineers, manufacturers, and colleagues.
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 manufacturer specifications, customer requirements, and company 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 rotating equipment using proper procedures, correct 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 accurate build records, repair logs, inspection findings, parts usage, photographs, test results, and final equipment disposition.
Assist with 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 practices, lifting and rigging procedures, 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 and parts teams, 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 undertake occasional overnight travel as project, training, or customer-support needs dictate.
Perform other related duties as assigned.