Operation & Maintenance Technician - GEA : Job Details

Responsibilities / Tasks

GEA Group, founded in Germany in 1881, is a global leader in engineering solutions, serving industries such as food and beverage, pharma, dairy, and more. With over 18,000 employees worldwide and a strong U.S. presence since 1929, GEA combines the heritage of a well-established company with the innovation of a forward-thinking industry leader. At GEA, we're not just building equipment, we're building lasting careers with an average employee tenure range from 8 + years, reflecting the strong culture, growth opportunities, and support we provide.

• Start strong – Medical, dental, and vision coverage begins on your first day
• Recharge and refresh – Enjoy 12 paid holidays, including a flexible floating holiday, and 136 hours of PTO to relax or explore
• Invest in your future – A 7% 401(k) employer match helps grow your retirement savings faster
• Keep learning – Take advantage of tuition reimbursement to further your education or skillset
• Live well – Our wellness incentive program rewards healthy habits
• Get support when you need it – Access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program for personal or professional guidance
• Save smart – Flexible Health Savings and Spending Accounts to manage out-of-pocket expenses

The typical base pay range for this position at the start of employment is expected to be between $30- $32 per hour. GEA Group has different base pay ranges for different work locations within the United States.

The pay range is not guaranteed compensation or salary. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for the position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications, and other job-related reasons. You may be eligible for additional rewards, such as a discretionary bonus (based on eligibility) and/or equity awards.

At GEA, we don't just offer jobs, we offer opportunities to thrive, grow, and make an impact.

The Operations & Maintenance Technician plays a dual role, combining mechanical and operational responsibilities to support the success of the North American Application & Technology Center of Excellence. This hands-on position works in close collaboration with the Test Engineer, Test Center Supervisor, Senior Biotechnologist, Laboratory Technologist, and New Food Technical Director. The technician is responsible for setting up equipment, supporting experimental test execution, conducting routine maintenance, and ensuring hygienic conditions of all pilot plant systems and workspaces.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate pilot plant equipment to meet testing requirements, including but not limited to:
  • Bioreactors, fermenters
  • UHT and thermal processing systems
  • Vacuum mixers, dryers, membrane filtration systems
  • Aseptic processes and specialized equipment
  • Utility systems (water softeners, RO systems, air compressors, boilers, chillers)
• Disassemble, reconfigure, and reassemble systems and components per test specifications or engineer instructions.
• Perform cleaning of pilot plant equipment and areas according to food-grade hygiene standards.
• Execute routine maintenance of mechanical and utility equipment, including:
  • Seal and gasket replacement (pumps, valves, agitators)
  • Mechanical inspections
  • Logging equipment observations and coordinating external service providers when needed
• Monitor and document inventory of plant consumables and safety equipment; support parts ordering as needed.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) standards including training, waste management, and documentation.
• Contribute to team success by supporting additional tasks as directed by the supervisor.

Your Profile / Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Technical degree in mechanical trades or a minimum of 3 years of experience in maintenance within a food, beverage, pharmaceutical, or biotech production environment
• At least 1 year of experience operating automated production equipment
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment
• Proficiency in basic mechanical assembly and maintenance of sanitary liquid processing components
• Ability to manage multiple operations simultaneously
• Basic proficiency with control systems and MS Office (Excel, Outlook, Word)
• Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and upholding safety standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in sanitary welding
• Familiarity with pilot plant operations and experimental testing environments

Note: This job description outlines the general nature and key duties of the position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, or working conditions. Duties may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

#engineeringforthebetter

GEA Group is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all clients and employees feel welcomed, accepted, and valued. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.

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