Master Chiller Mechanic

LotusWorks is an Engineering Services provider specializing in managing Commissioning, Construction Services, Calibration, Operations & Maintenance scopes of work within global manufacturing facilities. LotusWorks operates globally across EMEA and North America partnering with the world's leading manufacturers across the Semiconductor, Pharmaceutical & Biologics, Medical Device and Data Center sectors. Our team of Engineering and Technical professionals is immersed in cutting-edge technologies and innovations.

LotusWorks is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, integral to our people-first approach.

The Master Chiller Mechanic is responsible for the operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, and optimization of critical chilled water and refrigeration systems supporting semiconductor manufacturing operations. This role ensures reliable and efficient performance of large-scale industrial chillers, cooling infrastructure, and associated mechanical systems in a mission-critical environment.

The ideal candidate will possess advanced knowledge of industrial HVAC, refrigeration, chilled water, condenser water, and process cooling systems, with strong troubleshooting capabilities across mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and controls disciplines.

Responsibilities:

• Operations & System Monitoring
• Operate and monitor centrifugal, screw, scroll, and reciprocating chillers supporting semiconductor facility operations.
• Monitor chilled water, condenser water, glycol, and heat recovery systems to ensure stable and efficient operation.
• Review system pressures, temperatures, flows, approach temperatures, and equipment efficiencies.
• Monitor SCADA/BMS trends, alarms, and system performance to identify abnormal operating conditions.
• Adjust operating parameters to maintain design conditions and optimize energy efficiency.
• Coordinate chiller staging, sequencing, and load balancing strategies across plant systems.
• Support seasonal startup and shutdown activities for chillers and associated utility systems.
• Preventive Maintenance
• Execute OEM and site-specific preventive maintenance procedures for chillers and auxiliary equipment.
• Perform lubrication inspections and review oil analysis reports to support equipment reliability.
• Inspect, maintain, and troubleshoot: Compressors
• Condensers
• Evaporators
• Cooling towers
• Pumps
• VFDs
• Valves and actuators
• Heat exchangers
• Expansion devices
• Conduct tube inspections and coordinate condenser/evaporator tube cleaning activities.
• Replace filters, strainers, gaskets, seals, bearings, and other consumable components.
• Verify proper refrigerant charge and oil levels.
• Perform vibration analysis and alignment inspections on rotating equipment.
• Corrective Maintenance & Troubleshooting
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and controls-related equipment failures.
• Troubleshoot issues including: High condenser pressure
• Low evaporator pressure
• Surge conditions
• Oil system faults
• Refrigerant leaks
• Flow issues
• Compressor trips
• Sensor and instrumentation failures
• Perform emergency repairs and equipment restoration activities to minimize operational downtime.
• Coordinate outage planning, lockout/tagout (LOTO), and system isolation activities.
• Support root cause analysis (RCA) investigations and implementation of corrective actions.
• Refrigeration System Responsibilities
• Handle refrigerants in compliance with EPA regulations and environmental requirements.
• Recover, evacuate, recharge, and leak-test refrigeration systems.
• Maintain refrigerant logs and environmental compliance documentation.
• Inspect purge systems and monitor non-condensable gas levels.
• Conduct refrigerant leak detection surveys and implement corrective actions.
• Controls & Instrumentation Support
• Verify operation of temperature, pressure, and flow instrumentation associated with chiller systems.
• Support calibration activities for sensors, transmitters, and instrumentation devices.
• Assist controls technicians with BAS/PLC integration troubleshooting and system diagnostics.
• Validate alarm functionality, safety devices, interlocks, and sequence-of-operations performance.
• Support controls verification and operational testing activities.
• Reliability & Optimization
• Analyze operational data and performance trends to identify degradation and reliability concerns.
• Support energy optimization and efficiency improvement initiatives for chilled water and process cooling systems.
• Monitor KPIs including: kW/ton
• Chiller efficiency
• MTBF
• Runtime distribution
• PM compliance
• Recommend reliability improvements, operational enhancements, and system upgrades.
• Support predictive maintenance strategies including vibration analysis and thermography.
• Safety & Compliance
• Follow all EHS procedures, LOTO requirements, and semiconductor facility safe work practices.
• Conduct Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) and pre-task planning activities prior to maintenance execution.
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, EPA, and site-specific environmental and safety regulations.
• Support emergency response activities and incident investigations.
• Maintain safe handling practices for refrigerants, chemicals, and pressurized systems.
• Documentation & Reporting
• Document preventive maintenance, corrective maintenance, inspections, and operational activities within CMMS platforms such as IBM Maximo Application Suite.
• Maintain accurate maintenance histories, operational logs, and equipment records.
• Generate work orders, deficiency reports, and operational documentation.
• Review and update SOPs, MOPs, and maintenance procedures as required.
• Support turnover documentation and maintenance reporting activities.
• Any other duties or responsibilities that may be assigned to you in your role.
• Skills Required: 8+ years of experience operating and maintaining industrial chillers, refrigeration, or mission-critical cooling systems.
• Strong troubleshooting skills across mechanical, electrical, refrigeration, and controls systems.
• Experience working in semiconductor, mission-critical, industrial, or high-tech manufacturing facilities preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, equipment manuals, and control sequences.
• Strong understanding of chilled water systems, refrigeration cycles, and HVAC operations.
• Education / Licenses / Certifications: Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or trade certificate is nice to have, but not required.
• High School Diploma is required.
• Proof of education, licenses, and certifications will be required where applicable.