Start-up & Pump Build Technician

Hoffman & Hoffman Inc•Pinehurst, 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. Alongside field responsibilities, the technician supports the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week as field schedules and customer commitments allow. Shop work includes building, repairing, testing, and documenting pumps and related equipment, and coordinating parts and equipment for customer projects and repairs. The role calls for strong field-service judgment and hands-on mechanical ability. The technician uses manufacturer manuals, wiring diagrams, control schematics, piping drawings, startup checklists, and measured operating data to verify correct installation and safe operation and to complete thorough documentation. The position is primarily field-based, with local customer-site travel and occasional overnight travel. Work may take place in shops, mechanical and equipment rooms, rooftops, construction sites, and active commercial and institutional facilities.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Three to five or more 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 and 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 communication and documentation software.
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 according to manufacturer requirements.
Review manuals, wiring and control diagrams, piping drawings, startup checklists, engineering information, and jobsite conditions before starting equipment.
Verify installation readiness and applicable mechanical, electrical, control, water, venting, gas, and safety conditions; identify deficiencies that prevent safe startup or proper operation.
Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydronic, and control-related issues using OEM documentation, test instruments, measured readings, and a methodical troubleshooting process.
Use multimeters and other appropriate test instruments to check electrical and equipment conditions, including voltage, motor rotation, controls, safeties, sensors, VFD settings, 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 pump repair, motor replacement, alignment, startup, and troubleshooting.
Respond to warranty calls, document equipment condition and operating data, identify likely causes, and coordinate corrective action with customers, contractors, internal teams, and manufacturers.
Document installation deficiencies, equipment damage, unsafe conditions, and recommended corrective actions.
Train owners, operators, and facilities teams on normal operation, alarms, basic maintenance, isolation procedures, and next steps during malfunctions.
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 tools, parts, manuals, drawings, safety equipment, forms, and job information.
Support the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, or as scheduled around customer commitments.
Build, assemble, inspect, test, and document pumps, pump packages, motors, and related equipment according to specifications and quality standards.
Disassemble pumps and rotating equipment for inspection, diagnosis, repair, and rebuild; identify worn, damaged, or failed components.
Repair and rebuild pumps and associated rotating equipment using appropriate procedures, replacement parts, manufacturer guidance, and documented quality checks.
Perform motor replacement, coupling and guard installation, and related rotating-equipment repairs.
Conduct functional and performance checks before equipment is released, shipped, installed, or returned to service.
Maintain build records, repair logs, inspection findings, parts usage, photographs, test results, and equipment disposition; assist with shop organization and inventory management.
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 managers and teams across pump build and repair, service, parts, sales, and engineering, as well as contractors, customers, controls teams, 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 require.
Perform other related duties as assigned.