Lonza
Equipment Maintenance Technician III
Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of.
The Equipment Maintenance Technician III supports the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of production and packaging equipment at a regulated pharmaceutical oral solid dose (OSD) manufacturing site. This hands-on role is responsible for preventive maintenance, corrective repairs, equipment troubleshooting, and mechanical/electrical support on a wide range of machinery including tablet presses, capsule fillers, coating systems, cartoners, and conveyors. Technicians ensure equipment reliability and readiness to meet production schedules and quality expectations.
Key Accountabilities
Equipment Maintenance & Troubleshooting
Perform preventive and corrective maintenance on production and packaging equipment.
Troubleshoot and repair mechanical and electrical faults using meters, diagrams, and OEM manuals.
Coordinate with operators to understand fault symptoms and minimize downtime during interventions.
Mechanical Systems Support
Maintain and repair motors, gearboxes, cams, bearings, conveyors, actuators, and mechanical drives.
Electrical & Control Support
Replace or troubleshoot sensors, relays, switches, pushbuttons, solenoids, and small control panels.
Support motor wiring, limit switch adjustments, and signal cable connections.
Collaborate with Engineering or Automation on PLC/HMI issues and wiring diagnostics.
Root Cause Support
Apply basic troubleshooting techniques (e.g., 5 Whys, visual inspection, meter readings) to identify causes of system faults.
Support root cause investigations and contribute to documentation such as deviation reports, CAPAs, and repair logs.
Conduct post-repair verification and confirm systems return to validated/qualified state.
Equipment Setup, Changeover & Support
Verify equipment cleanliness, safety interlocks, and correct configuration prior to production release.
Support minor modifications or improvements to increase line efficiency or reduce unplanned stops.
SOP, PM & Spare Parts Support
Assist in writing or revising SOPs and PM job plans based on OEM manuals, observations, or technical changes.
Recommend updates to maintenance procedures to improve reliability, safety, or efficiency.
Collaborate with Maintenance Planner or Supervisor to validate critical spares and lead times.
Contractor & Vendor Oversight
Escort and supervise site contractors performing facility-related services (e.g., pest control).
Verify scope completion and adherence to site safety and GMP protocols.
CMMS & Documentation
Complete assigned preventive maintenance (PM), repairs, and service requests using the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).
Document all work performed with clear, accurate, and traceable entries, in alignment with Good Documentation Practices (GDP).
Record detailed descriptions of repairs
Capture before-and-after conditions when applicable, including verification of restored function.
Ensure timestamps, technician signatures/initials, and any required review or approval fields are completed.
Update equipment history records to reflect all completed maintenance and repairs for audit traceability.
Escalate recurring failures or significant findings to Facilities leadership for further action or investigation.
Maintain good CMMS housekeeping: close out completed work orders promptly and ensure outstanding tasks are accurately tracked.
Safety, Environmental & Emergency Support
Handle hazardous and non-hazardous waste materials in accordance with RCRA and DOT guidelines.
Leadership & Development
Act as subject matter expert (SME) for designated systems.
Lead or support facility projects, system upgrades, and vendor execution efforts.
Mentor and train junior technicians in troubleshooting, tool usage, and proper documentation practices.
Serve as acting lead in the absence of the Facilities Supervisor or Team Lead.
Lead or coordinate repair response for high-priority issues and equipment escalations.
Other Duties as Assigned
Perform additional responsibilities as directed by management to support departmental or site objectives.
Respond to evolving business needs, including tasks or assignments outside of standard duties, to ensure safe, compliant, and reliable operations.
Support special projects, cross-functional initiatives, or operational priorities as deemed necessary by leadership.
Maintain flexibility and readiness to assist wherever needed to meet site performance, quality, or compliance requirements.
Functional Competencies
Performs advanced troubleshooting down to the component level using meters, schematics, and
SME-level capability in high-speed equipment troubleshooting down to the component level (e.g., servos, sensors, PLC I/O, pneumatic solenoids).
Supports automation troubleshooting and collaborates with OT/Engineering on software-controlled equipment issues.
Mentors junior technicians and supports onboarding through OJT and knowledge transfer.
Interfaces with vendors and engineering during equipment installation, qualification, and lifecycle improvements.
Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.
People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.
Lonza is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a qualified individual with disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.