Utilities Technician Lead/2/3

Our Frederick Manufacturing Center (FMC) creates life-changing medicines for people around the world and has been recognized by our local community as being a Top 50’ Business in Frederick and awarded Frederick County’s ‘Best Place to Work’. This distinctive biologic manufacturing facility, with over 800 employees, makes a direct contribution to treating people with cancer, respiratory and autoimmune conditions across the globe.  We work hard to deliver life-changing medicines to patients, and we take time to have fun and celebrate our accomplishments. From catered site festivities to competitive events, community outreach activities, environmental and wellness showcases and team-building functions, we take time to recognize our achievements and celebrate our diversity.  We are dedicated to creating a culture of inclusion and collaboration and are committed to continuous learning by offering ongoing skill building and training for our staff.  Fueled by our aspiration to deliver accelerated growth for our company and to make people’s lives better, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the team and shape the future of AstraZeneca Operations. 

Are you ready to take the lead in a dynamic, fast-paced environment? We are seeking a dedicated and experienced Supervisor / Senior Supervisor for our day shift production team. This role is a unique opportunity to contribute to our bold sustainability strategy and make a real difference in our Operations department.

This role is onsite Monday through Friday, five days per week, and may at times require flexibility in working hours as well as the ability to work different shifts in a regulated environment.

Maryland stationary engineer license as required for the role, relevant utility or central plant experience, and the ability to work shifts in a regulated environment

Job Summary

This person is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation, maintenance support, troubleshooting, and coordination of facility and utility systems that support pharmaceutical manufacturing, laboratory, office, and site infrastructure operations. This role requires extensive technical knowledge in specialized functions, along with a broad understanding of both general and specific aspects of facilities and utility operations and their application to complex problems commonly encountered in a regulated environment.

The role supports the performance, reliability, and compliance of systems such as HVAC air handlers, refrigeration systems, cold rooms, chillers, cooling towers, pumps, drives, electrical switchgear, power distribution equipment, emergency generators, water systems, and other facility and utility equipment. The position may also support electrical equipment associated with process systems such as bioreactors, centrifuges, purification skids, purification columns, glasswashers, and autoclaves.

You would be expected to solve practical problems, manage varied and sometimes non-standard conditions, interpret written and technical instructions, and help direct the work of other non-exempt employees. The role requires strong planning, project coordination, communication, and documentation skills, particularly in GxP-regulated environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate, monitor, and support facility and utility systems to ensure safe, compliant, and continuous service for manufacturing, laboratory, and site operations.
• Perform routine inspections and rounds of mechanical rooms, utility spaces, clean rooms, rooftops, cold storage areas, and related equipment areas to verify proper operation and identify abnormal conditions.
• Provide advanced troubleshooting and problem solving for complex issues involving HVAC, refrigeration, electrical, plumbing, and utility systems where only limited standardization may exist.
• Support alarm monitoring and response for utility and facility equipment.
• Lead and coordinate the work of other non-exempt employees, including planning daily activities, prioritizing tasks, and supporting efficient execution of maintenance or operational work.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and internal departments to support maintenance, repairs, shutdowns, investigations, projects, and emergency response.
• Maintain, troubleshoot, and support equipment such as HVAC air handlers, chillers, refrigeration equipment, cooling towers, pumps, drives, electrical switchgear, power distribution equipment, and emergency generators.
• Support refrigeration and controlled temperature systems, including cold rooms, refrigerators, freezers, ultra-low freezers (-80°C), incubators, cryogenic freezers, and HVAC systems.
• Perform or support work in one or more skilled trades, including HVAC/refrigeration, electrical, or plumbing.
• Read and interpret technical documentation, including mechanical schematics, P&IDs, electrical schematics, single-line diagrams, equipment manuals, SOPs, diagrams, and schedules.
• Perform basic maintenance activities using hand tools and other standard trade tools in accordance with approved procedures and safety requirements.
• Document work clearly and accurately in logbooks, work orders, permits, and electronic systems, ensuring completion of required GxP documentation in a timely manner.
• Support preventive and corrective maintenance activities, including isolating equipment, preparing systems for maintenance, testing systems after work completion, and returning equipment to service.
• Work safely and in compliance with site SOPs, EHS requirements, GMP/GxP expectations, lockout/tagout, permit-to-work, confined space, hot work, and other safety procedures.
• Support reliability, energy efficiency, and continuous improvement efforts by identifying equipment inefficiencies, recurring failures, leaks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Communicate effectively with maintenance teams, facilities personnel, operations, contractors, and management to ensure alignment and proper escalation of issues.
• Mentor junior technicians.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• 5-15+ years of relevant experience, with 0-5+ years in biotech/pharmaceutical industry environments preferred or required based on site expectations
• Valid Maryland Stationary Engineer license or ability to meet the site-specific legal/operational requirements for a Level 1 Stationary Engineer role
• Experience operating or supporting industrial utility systems, boilers, HVAC, or central plant equipment in a manufacturing, pharmaceutical, healthcare, institutional, or industrial environment
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems, pumps, valves, motors, heat transfer, and utility distribution systems
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, equipment manuals, SOPs, and technical procedures
• Basic computer skills for CMMS, work orders, logs, and building/plant monitoring systems
• Ability to work safely in compliance with EHS requirements
• Ability to work shifts, weekends, holidays, overtime, and on-call coverage as required
• The position requires the ability to stand and walk for extended periods, climb ladders and stairs, access mechanical spaces, lift up to 50 pounds, and work in environments with varying temperatures, noise levels, and operating mechanical equipment. The employee must be able to wear required PPE and perform duties in utility plants, clean rooms, rooftops, basements, mechanical rooms, and other technical areas as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated manufacturing environment
• Experience with BMS, BAS, SCADA, or plant utility monitoring systems
• Familiarity with GMP documentation practices
• Knowledge of boiler water treatment, chilled water systems, clean utilities, or critical facility operations
• Technical training, trade school, or associate degree in mechanical, electrical, or industrial maintenance/engineering technology
• Experience with deviation support, change control, or operational investigations in a regulated environment

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The successful candidate will demonstrate a wide and comprehensive acquaintance with both general and specialized aspects of facility maintenance and utility operations and be able to apply that knowledge to complex practical problems. The role requires the ability to interpret instructions provided in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form, and to respond effectively in situations where only limited information or standardization exists.

Errors in this role may be readily felt within the maintenance and facilities organization, making attention to detail and sound judgment essential. Frequent contact occurs with individuals from other departments, contractors, and vendors, and the role therefore requires clear communication and effective coordination. Contact with area management and senior management is less frequent but may occur as needed to support escalations, projects, or operational updates.

Additional Job Functions

The role may include the following routine technical expectations: use of basic hand tools; reading, writing, and applying drawings, mathematics, and handbook formulas; reading mechanical schematics and piping diagrams (P&IDs); reading electrical schematics and single-line diagrams; working in a clean room environment; using basic computer systems; and communicating clearly both orally and in writing.

Compliance and Safety Expectations

The role requires strict adherence to AstraZeneca safety standards, site procedures, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations. The employee is expected to work in a manner consistent with safety, quality, compliance, and continuous improvement principles. This includes following lockout/tagout, permit-to-work, line breaking, confined space, and hot work requirements, using appropriate personal protective equipment, and promptly reporting hazards, near misses, incidents, and abnormal equipment conditions.

Work Environment

This role is based in an industrial / pharmaceutical site environment and may require work in mechanical rooms, utility plants, rooftops, interstitial spaces, clean rooms, laboratories, manufacturing support areas, and outdoor equipment locations. Work schedules may vary depending on business and operational needs.

The annual base pay for this position ranges from $71,749- $120,000. Hourly and salaried non-exempt employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours. Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). Benefits offered included a qualified retirement program [401(k) plan]; paid vacation and holidays; paid leaves; and, health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base pay (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.