Senior/Principal Mechanical Maintenance Technician - CA Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; California (MO); On-site; USD 76,000 - 146,900; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories' California Site is seeking a Senior/Principal Mechanical Maintenance Technician to oversee HVAC, plumbing, and Facility Control System maintenance across ~80 buildings. Onsite role requiring collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure reliable, compliant operations.

You will diagnose, repair, and maintain mechanical and electrical equipment, review drawings and specs, and support control system upgrades while adhering to safety and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus five years of relevant maintenance experience.
• Experience with maintenance of HVAC systems (chillers, boilers, AHUs) and plumbing.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC, plumbing, and FCS equipment.
• Perform preventive and emergency maintenance on HVAC units, boilers, chillers, pumps, and piping.
• Inspect facilities and equipment to identify issues and prevent downtime.
• Interpret blueprints, wiring diagrams, and technical specs to guide maintenance and installation.
• Monitor system performance and respond to service requests prioritizing urgency.
• Collaborate with Facility Managers and Engineers to plan maintenance and upgrades.
• Support installation and upgrade projects, including control system improvements.

Skills

HVAC maintenance

Plumbing systems

DDC controls

Office software

WebCTRL

Education

Journeyman Apprenticeship

ABET-accredited program

Tools

Word

Excel

Outlook

Teams

CMMS

Job description

Senior/Principal Mechanical Maintenance Technician - CA Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation.

As a member of the Facilities Mechanical Maintenance Team, you will focus on HVAC, plumbing, and the Facility Control System (FCS) across approximately 80 buildings at the California Site. You will collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure continuous, efficient operation of site‑wide facilities.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC, plumbing, and FCS equipment by inspecting field devices, sensors, piping, valves, and mechanical components.
• Perform routine, preventive, and emergency maintenance on HVAC units, boilers, chillers, pumps, plumbing fixtures, and related mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Use hand and power tools to conduct repairs and maintenance tasks across multiple trades.
• Conduct inspections of facilities, machinery, and equipment to identify potential issues and prevent operational breakdowns.
• Interpret blueprints, sketches, wiring diagrams, layouts, drawings, and technical specifications to guide maintenance, repair, and installation activities.
• Continuously monitor system performance, troubleshoot irregularities, and respond to service requests and emergency repairs prioritizing operational urgency.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to enhance system reliability and reduce downtime.
• Provide technical guidance and support to facility personnel on system operation, maintenance best practices, and repair procedures.
• Collaborate closely with Facility Managers, System Engineers, Operations Engineers, Work Planners, and End Users to plan and execute maintenance, repairs, installations, and upgrades efficiently.
• Support mechanical installation and upgrade projects, including control system enhancements, and oversee contractor activities to ensure quality and compliance.
• Adhere strictly to safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and company policies to maintain a safe, compliant, and efficient work environment.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

Qualifications We Require

• High school diploma or GED plus five (5) or more years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience performing general maintenance activities, including repair and maintenance of plant and/or office building structures and equipment.
• Experience with the operation of HVAC systems (chillers, boilers, air handling units, VFDs, and related subsystems).
• Experience with plumbing systems (pumps, backflow preventers, valves, piping networks, and associated fixtures).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

• Graduation from a recognized Journeyman Apprenticeship Program or possession of a valid Journeyman Card (HVAC or Plumbing).
• Graduation from an ABET‑accredited college program in Mechanical Engineering, HVAC Technology, Plumbing Technology, or a related field.
• Valid EPA Section 608 Universal Certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Valid Cross‑Connection Specialist Certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Valid Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification or ability to obtain within one year of hire.
• Commercial Driver’s License with a trailer and tank endorsement; must be able to maintain medical certification.
• Experience with Automated Logic WebCTRL software for building automation control.
• Experience in Facility Control System programming, operations, installation, or maintenance.
• Strong knowledge of DDC control systems and ability to program and troubleshoot effectively.
• Working knowledge of common office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, CMMS).

Essential Functions

Applicants may be required to demonstrate fitness to perform physical tasks such as lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling.

Salary Range

$76,000 – $146,900 (salary determined after consideration of experience and qualifications and geographic differential).

Security Clearance

Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. The position requires a federal background investigation for access to classified information.

Medical Device Requirements

If you possess a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker or defibrillator, you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. Additional steps may be necessary prior to interview.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected class under state or federal law.