Start-up & Pump Build Technician

Hoffman & Hoffman•Smithfield, NC

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Hoffman Hydronics is seeking a skilled, customer-focused Start-up & Pump Build Technician for its Suwanee operation. This primarily field-based role performs 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 technician reviews technical documentation and jobsite conditions, verifies installation readiness and safe operation, diagnoses problems, performs authorized adjustments, and prepares thorough service and startup reports. The technician also supports the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, as field schedules and customer commitments allow. Shop work includes building, inspecting, testing, documenting, disassembling, repairing, and rebuilding pumps, motors, pump packages, and related rotating equipment. The role requires hands-on mechanical ability, sound field-service judgment, attention to safety and quality, and effective coordination with customers, contractors, manufacturers, and internal teams. The position involves regular local travel to customer sites and occasional overnight travel. Work may take place in industrial shops, mechanical and equipment rooms, rooftops, construction sites, and active commercial and institutional facilities. The role may involve noise, moving machinery, varying temperatures, live electrical equipment, tight or elevated spaces, dust, water, and fumes. The technician must be able to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, climb ladders, use hand and power tools, and safely move equipment and materials.

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 safely and accurately use multimeters and other appropriate test instruments.
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, 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.

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 installation manuals, wiring diagrams, control schematics, 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 problems using OEM documentation, test instruments, measured readings, and a methodical troubleshooting process.
Safely 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 safe, efficient operation.
Perform field laser alignment of pump and motor assemblies; support field 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 deficiencies, unsafe conditions, likely causes, and recommended corrective actions, including issues involving wiring, missing components, settings, contamination, circulation, flow paths, and damaged equipment.
Train owners, operators, and facilities teams on normal operation, alarms, basic maintenance, isolation procedures, and recommended actions 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, forms, and job information.
Support the Suwanee pump shop approximately one to two days per week, or as scheduled around field-service commitments.
Build, assemble, inspect, test, and document new pumps, pump packages, motors, and related equipment to manufacturer specifications, customer requirements, and HHY 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, 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 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 records.
Assist with shop organization, inventory management, and identification of commonly used repair components and material needs.
Follow company and jobsite safety procedures, including lockout/tagout, PPE, electrical safety, lifting and rigging procedures, hazard identification, and incident reporting.
Maintain clean, organized, and safe shop and work areas, 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 travel overnight occasionally as project, training, or customer-support needs require.
Perform other related duties as assigned.