Chiller Plant Mechanic

Insight Global; Groton (CT); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Insight Global in Groton, CT is seeking a Chiller Plant Mechanic to operate, maintain, and optimize large-capacity cooling plants (500–5,000 tons per machine) serving critical HVAC and process cooling systems. You will apply advanced knowledge of water-cooled chillers, refrigerant management, BAS/BMS controls, and preventive maintenance to ensure safe, reliable operation.

The role requires diagnosing and repairing chillers, conducting pump and valve maintenance, implementing energy-efficiency

Qualifications

• S2 or S1 license required.

Responsibilities

• Perform diagnostics and repair of large centrifugal and absorption chillers, including compressors and VFDs.
• Perform mechanical repairs: compressor rebuilds, tube cleaning, shaft alignment, bearing replacement, seals, heat exchangers.
• Manage refrigerant handling, recovery, charging, leak detection per EPA 608 and site rules.
• Operate and maintain primary chilled water pumps, condenser water pumps, cooling towers, and related systems.
• Interpret P&IDs, electrical one-lines, control schematics, and BAS/BMS data for chillers.

Skills

License: S2/S1

Job description

Job Description

Chiller Plant Mechanic $35 - $45

The Chiller Plant Mechanic is a highly skilled technical specialist responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization of large-capacity centrifugal, screw, and absorption chiller plants (typically 500–5,000 tons per machine) serving critical process cooling, HVAC, and utility systems. This role requires advanced expertise in high-tonnage water-cooled chiller systems, associated primary/secondary chilled water and condenser water systems, refrigerant management, controls integration, and predictive/preventive maintenance practices in a regulated industrial or pharmaceutical environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform advanced diagnostics, troubleshooting, and repair of large centrifugal and absorption chillers, including compressors, purge systems, economizers, oil recovery systems, motor starters, VFDs, and associated instrumentation.
• Execute complex mechanical repairs: compressor rebuilds or replacements, tube cleaning/replacement, shaft alignment, bearing replacement, seal work, and heat exchanger maintenance.
• Manage refrigerant handling, recovery, charging, leak detection, and documentation in full compliance with EPA Section 608 (Type II/III or Universal preferred) and site environmental requirements.
• Operate and maintain primary chilled water pumps, condenser water pumps, cooling towers, filters, chemical treatment systems, and related distribution infrastructure.
• Interpret and work from P&IDs, electrical one-lines, control schematics, OEM manuals, and trending data from building automation systems (BAS/BMS) and chiller plant controls.
• Lead or support predictive maintenance activities including vibration analysis, infrared thermography, oil analysis, ultrasonic testing, and performance efficiency calculations (kW/ton, approach temperatures, etc.).
• Respond to and resolve critical chiller plant upsets, alarms, and capacity shortfalls with minimal downtime impact on production or research operations.
• Develop, update, and execute preventive maintenance procedures, job plans, and lockout/tagout (LOTO) packages specific to large chiller systems.
• Mentor mechanics and operators on chiller plant theory, safe work practices, and troubleshooting techniques.
• Coordinate with vendors, OEM technicians, and engineering for major overhauls, tube inspections, motor rewinds, and capital upgrade projects.
• Maintain accurate work order documentation, parts usage, refrigerant logs, and equipment history in the computerized maintenance management system (CMMS).
• Support continuous improvement initiatives focused on energy efficiency, reliability (MTBF), and reduction of unplanned downtime.
• Strictly adhere to all site safety, environmental, GMP, and regulatory requirements (OSHA, EPA, NFPA, site-specific permits).
• This position is critical to maintaining uninterrupted cooling capacity for research, manufacturing, and facility operations. The ideal candidate will bring deep technical mastery of large chiller systems combined with a proactive, safety-first approach to plant reliability.

We are a company committed to creating diverse and inclusive environments where people can bring their full, authentic selves to work every day. We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer that believes everyone matters. Qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment regardless of their race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, national origin, ancestry, genetic factors, age, disability, protected veteran status, military or uniformed service member status, or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to [e-mail] learn more about how we collect, keep, and process your private information, please review Insight Global's Workforce Privacy Policy: https://insightglobal.com/workforce-privacy-policy/.

Skills and Requirements

-S2 or S1 license -