Sr. Systems Engineer Technician in Ormond Beach, Florida at Germfree Laboratories Inc
Job Description
Job Title: Senior Systems Engineering Technician
Department: Engineering
Reports to: Team Lead – Systems Engineering
Location: 4 Sunshine Blvd, Ormond Beach, FL 32174
Work Schedule: Full-time, salaried exempt; occasional travel for installation or commissioning support; overtime may be required
Role purpose
The Senior Systems Engineering Technician leads the control documentation, programming and test work on complex jobs, writes Germfree controls drafting, install and test standards, and checks the work of junior technicians. The role works with minimal direction, bringing design decisions to an engineer for approval.
Germfree Engineering designs the products the plant builds: containment and aseptic equipment (biosafety cabinets, isolators, gloveboxes, laminar flow workstations, pass-throughs) and turnkey modular and mobile facilities (BSL-2 to BSL-4 biocontainment labs, cGMP cleanrooms and compounding pharmacies) with integrated HVAC, electrical, plumbing and controls. Much of the work is engineered-to-order for regulated customers, so designs must be buildable in the Ormond Beach plant, code-compliant, and documented well enough to pass customer and certifier review.
Systems Engineering Technicians are controls design and test technicians. They produce the panel layouts, wiring diagrams, harness documents and bills of material for Germfree control and low-voltage systems — PLCs and smart relays, VFD/motor controls, the building management system (BMS), HMIs, access control, fire and security, CCTV and network hardware — and they program, configure and bench-test those systems from engineer-written sequences and Germfree templates. The difference from the engineer track is ownership of the engineering judgment: technicians build, configure and test to the sequence of operations, alarm list and Germfree standards, while the control architecture, sequence of operations, basis of design, containment interlock and alarm philosophy, and network and cybersecurity design sit with an engineer.
Senior technicians carry practical know-how about how Germfree control systems really get built and started up — the panel, harness, network and startup details that don't show in a sequence of operations. They are the go-to person when a system must be wired, communicate, and work on the floor the first time.
What success looks like
Everyone at Germfree is reviewed on the same four expectations — Performance, Technical Proficiency, Credit & Accountability, and Communication & Conflict — judged against this rung, not against other people.
- Performance. Works accurately, keeps rework low, hits schedule and picks up cross-training. For a T3 that means complex control packages delivered without rework, improved drafting, install and test standards in use, and junior technicians developing under their guidance.
- Technical Proficiency. Meets the technical proficiency list below on their own.
- Credit & Accountability. Owns complex outcomes end to end and never shifts blame; makes the people they mentor look good.
- Communication & Conflict. Explains issues clearly across cross-functional teams; handles tense moments early and calmly.
The two teamwork expectations stand on their own — strength in one does not make up for falling short on the other.
Year-one accomplishments
- Leads the control documentation and test work of a complex job — multi-module facility, mobile lab or custom equipment — through FAT.
- Publishes a Germfree panel, install or test standard, template or symbol library.
- Has begun elevating the team — junior technicians producing work with fewer checker comments.
Key responsibilities
Own complex control packages
- Lead the control documentation, programming and test work on complex jobs — multi-module facilities, mobile labs and custom equipment — from the engineer's sequence of operations to FAT.
- Interpret client requirements with the engineer and communicate design objectives to the Systems team and project management.
- Provide production support and advanced programming of motor-control drive systems.
- Own software conformance and check that installed hardware and network infrastructure meet client requirements, with engineer approval.
Standards and quality
- Develop and maintain Germfree panel, wiring, harness and install standards, templates, symbol libraries and test procedures.
- Check T1–T2 work before release; review redlines, ECRs and ECNs for consistency with production methods.
- Lead root cause when build or test issues trace back to documentation, wiring or programming, with audits and cross-functional follow-through.
Project and build
- Track control-package milestones and deadlines; flag schedule risk early and help balance resources.
- Review facility balancing and calibration results with the engineer and help resolve difficult scenarios.
- Support CQV during FAT and commissioning on complex jobs.
Develop others
- Mentor T1–T2 technicians and junior engineers on Germfree controls build and test practice.
Scope of this level
Area | Expectation at this level |
Direction received | Minimal; checks with an engineer on design decisions. |
Work complexity | Complete control packages for complex and custom jobs. |
Problem solving | Solves complex wiring, communication and test problems. |
Influence on others | Technical guide for technicians; mentors junior engineers on build and test. |
Technical proficiency
What fully doing this rung means:
- Delivers a control package for a multi-module or custom job that builds and passes FAT without drafting or programming-error changes.
- Diagnoses intermittent BACnet, Modbus and network communication faults on mixed-vendor systems.
- Reads room pressurization and airflow results well enough to support balancing and spot control-side causes.
- Manages XREFs and produces the right SD, DD and FD drawing sets in AutoCAD.
- Writes drafting, install and test standards others can follow.
- Matrix targets: AutoCAD 3 · Airflow Balancing 1 · GF Product Knowledge 2 · cGMP/BMBL 1 · Project Management 2 · Technical Writing 2 · MS Office 2.
Qualifications
- Associate degree or technical diploma in electrical, electronics, controls or instrumentation technology, or similar; or equivalent field experience in electrical control systems.
- 6–10 years of controls or electrical design experience.
- Proficient PLC, smart-relay, VFD and HMI programming (IDEC, Keyence, Allen-Bradley, or similar).
- Detailed BACnet and Modbus experience, including defining methods and troubleshooting problem systems in a support role.
- Fluent in AutoCAD 2D; strong drafting.
- Experienced with electrical construction and assembly methods to develop install standards.
- Intermediate understanding of ventilation and HVAC.
- Proficient with project tracking, milestones and deadlines; mentors others.
Preferred experience
- BMS front-end programming, including exposure to structured text (IEC 61131-3).
- Biocontainment, cleanroom or pharmaceutical facility controls experience.
- Experience with emergency vehicles, coaches or boats.
- Solid Edge or other 3D design software.
Tools and standards
Tools: AutoCAD, PLC, HMI, drive and BMS software, BACnet, Modbus and network diagnostic tools, Global Shop Solutions ERP, Microsoft Office, test instruments.
Standards: Germfree controls drafting, install and test standards (contributor); UL 508A; NEC/NFPA 70; NFPA 70E; NFPA 72; BACnet (ASHRAE 135) and Modbus; ISA-5.1 symbols.
Core capabilities
Top five traits, ranked: 1 Analytical Skills · 2 Precision / Attention to Detail · 3 Teamwork · 4 Problem Solver · 5 Tenacity. Core values: Grit, Ownership, Innovation, Integrity.
Work environment
- Office environment with regular time on the production floor, at test benches and in test areas.
- Extended computer, CAD and programming work; occasional lifting up to 25 lbs.
- Required PPE on the production floor; electrical safe-work and lockout/tagout practices per NFPA 70E.
- Occasional travel for installation or commissioning support. Overtime may be required.
Growth path
Staff Systems Engineering Technician (T4). Promotion is based on consistently doing next-rung work, separate from the annual review. Technicians who complete an engineering degree may move to the engineer track.
Supervision Required: Minimal – Works independently and checks with an engineer on design decisions.
Supervisory Responsibilities: None. Checks T1–T2 work and mentors technicians and junior engineers.
Why You’ll Love Germfree:
Germfree is committed to employee well-being, growth, and work-life balance. We provide a supportive environment, strong benefits, and the tools you need to succeed.
- Insurance & Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Short- and long-term disability
- Company-paid life insurance
- Optional pet insurance
- Pay & Financial Perks
- 401(k) with company match
- Employee referral bonuses
- Shoe and prescription safety-glasses reimbursements
- Time Off & Leave
- 80 hours of paid holidays, including year-end shutdown
- Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Two paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) days annually
- Paid paternity leave after one year
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We value and celebrate the unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of all individuals, and we believe that diversity drives innovation and growth. 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 legally protected status.
We also maintain a drug-free workplace. Offers of employment may be contingent upon the successful completion of a drug screening, in accordance with applicable laws and company policies.
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