Senior Lyophilization & Critical Systems Technician

Bio-Rad Laboratories; Hercules (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Bio-Rad Laboratories in Hercules, CA seeks a senior maintenance technician to oversee lyophilizer operation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting across critical equipment in a regulated manufacturing environment.

You will review work orders, calibrate sensors, and mentor junior staff while coordinating with contractors for specialized service. Strong knowledge of refrigeration, vacuum, and PLC-based controls is essential for keeping uptime and audit readiness.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of progressive maintenance experience in a manufacturing or regulated production environment.
• EPA Section 608 Universal Certification is required.
• Specialized equipment knowledge includes lyophilizers, vacuum systems, cooling towers, chilled water systems, RODI/water purification systems, and compressed air systems.
• Advanced ability to read electrical schematics, P&IDs, and wiring diagrams; troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and PLC-based control systems.
• cGMP documentation fluency and calibration records in regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Review open work orders and prioritize preventive maintenance across manufacturing, lab, and utility areas.
• Monitor lyophilizer cycle performance, troubleshoot vacuum and refrigeration subsystems, calibrate sensors, and maintain tight process tolerances.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting on other critical equipment (cold rooms, ULT units, compressors, pumps, RO/DI systems).
• Support installation, commissioning, or qualification of new equipment and lyophilizer upgrades or replacements.
• Mentor less experienced maintenance staff and coordinate with contractors or OEMs for specialized lyolypH service.
• Document completed work, calibration records, and equipment history to stay audit-ready under cGMP standards.

Skills

Maintenance expertise

Troubleshooting

Equipment reliability

Mentoring

Documentation

Electrical schematics reading

Education

High School Diploma

EPA Section 608 Universal Certification

Tools

Lyophilizers

Vacuum systems

P&IDs

PLC-based instrumentation

Job description

Bio-Rad Laboratories in Hercules, CA seeks a senior maintenance technician to oversee lyophilizer operation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting across critical equipment in a regulated manufacturing environment.

You will review work orders, calibrate sensors, and mentor junior staff while coordinating with contractors for specialized service. Strong knowledge of refrigeration, vacuum, and PLC-based controls is essential for keeping uptime and audit readiness.