About the Role

As an HVAC/Boiler Building Systems Operator, you will be part of a team responsible for operating, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing HVAC, boiler, refrigeration, plumbing, steam, commercial kitchen, and other mechanical building systems at Northwestern Mutual facilities.

You will help maintain a safe, secure, and reliable environment for employees, visitors, property, and critical data center operations. This role partners with internal teams, service contractors, and external vendors to address system failures, complete preventive maintenance, and support building-system projects from design through installation.

What You’ll Do in the Role

• Maintain, Troubleshoot, and Repair Building Systems

• Operate, maintain, test, troubleshoot, and repair HVAC, boiler, refrigeration, plumbing, steam, and related mechanical systems.
• Maintain domestic water systems, drains, pumps, water-management equipment, and fire-protection systems.
• Investigate leaks, clogs, and other system issues and perform minor or emergency plumbing repairs.
• Respond to building-system failures, data center fire-protection emergencies, and other urgent situations.
• Maintain and repair commercial kitchen refrigeration, cooking, exhaust, and control-system components.
• Perform or oversee preventive maintenance and repairs for elevators, escalators, fitness-center equipment, and other building systems.
• Repair equipment using welding and metal-fabrication skills.

Operate and Monitor HVAC and Boiler Systems

• Maintain chillers, cooling towers, circulating and booster pumps, air-handling units, and related HVAC equipment.
• Monitor HVAC and boiler systems through automated building-control systems and make adjustments as necessary.
• Adjust air-handling units to support efficient operation while maintaining appropriate comfort levels.
• Establish system schedules and alarm points and recommend mechanical-system programming changes to the Building Automation Systems Technician.
• Monitor Variable Frequency Drives, pumps, air-handling units, and water-treatment systems.
• Ensure proper operation and maintenance of the Auto Flame High-Pressure Boiler Control system and associated equipment.
• Respond to requests from WE Energies to reduce natural-gas usage.

Coordinate Projects, Vendors, and Documentation

• Identify, isolate, and repair equipment failures in partnership with internal teams and external vendors.
• Support special projects from design through installation while incorporating safety requirements, regulations, and industry best practices.
• Schedule and monitor contractor installation and maintenance work.
• Review service contracts to confirm contractual obligations are fulfilled.
• Support relocation projects by evaluating and coordinating HVAC-related activities.
• Maintain system drawings, equipment records, and Business Resumption Plan documentation.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels and obtain parts, tools, and materials for preventive maintenance, emergency repairs, and installations.
• Serve on the Emergency Response Team and assist with medical situations, building evacuations, and severe-weather monitoring.

What You’ll Bring to the Role

• Associate degree in HVAC, completion of a state-approved plumbing or HVAC-related apprenticeship program with at least three years of industrial HVAC systems experience or High school diploma or GED with relevant experience.
• HVAC-related certification and at least five years of related job experience may also be considered.

Certifications and Training

The following certifications and training must be obtained within the specified periods:

• NIULPE Fourth Class or ASOPE Second-Class High-Pressure Boiler certification within one year of employment.
• Certified Refrigerant Handling Technician certification within one year of employment.
• Wisconsin Department of Commerce Cross Connection Control Tester Registration within two years of employment.
• OSHA 10 General Industry and motorized-lift training within one year of employment.
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification within the first six months as a member of the Emergency Response Team.

Knowledge and Skills

• Proven mechanical aptitude.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable state and local building codes and industry standards.
• Ability to read, understand, and update blueprints and schematic drawings.
• Knowledge of applicable OSHA requirements, including Material Safety Data and Confined Space Entry practices.
• Training in the proper handling of hazardous or corrosive water-treatment chemicals.
• Strong knowledge of automated building-control systems, such as Honeywell EBI or Johnson Controls Metasys.
• Ability to use computerized maintenance management systems, such as Archibus or FM Systems.
• Proficiency with Microsoft products.
• Strong customer focus, initiative, accuracy, organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, adapt to changing priorities, and meet required timeframes.

Essential Service and Schedule Requirements

*This position is designated as essential services. Essential services employees are expected to make every reasonable effort to report to work or remain on shift during severe weather and emergency situations.

*The position requires the ability to work overtime and weekends and respond to emergency call-ins when needed.

Physical and Work Environment Requirements

• Must be able to perform the essential physical requirements of the position.
• Constantly wear or lift a 12-pound tool belt and handle parts weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Up to 33% of the time, lift ladders, chain hoists, chemical or salt bags, and other equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Up to 33% of the time, lift pipes, machine units, motors, valves, and tanks weighing up to 80 pounds.
• Use assistance from another person or mechanical equipment for loads exceeding 80 pounds.
• Push or pull carts, scaffolds, sandbags, hose reels, valves, refrigerant canisters, chain hoists, lifts, and related equipment, including on ramps or inclines.
• Always use two people when moving the Cougar lift.
• Up to 33% of the time, operate a sheet-metal bender by foot.
• Carry up to 50 pounds for distances of less than 10 feet across smooth or rough surfaces. Carts are recommended for transporting salt bags.
• Work in environments that generally have minimal to moderate noise, with infrequent exposure to very loud noise or high-velocity airflow.

Skills You Have

• HVAC Controls
• Maintenance Operations
• Preventive Maintenance
• Electrical/Electronic Troubleshooting
• Electrical Wiring
• Safety and Compliance Awareness
• Building Compliance

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We believe in fairness and transparency. It’s why we share the salary range for most of our roles. However, final salaries are based on a number of factors, including the skills and experience of the candidate; the current market; location of the candidate; and other factors uncovered in the hiring process. The standard pay structure is listed but if you’re living in California, New York City or other eligible location, geographic specific pay structures, compensation and benefits could be applicable, click here to learn more.

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Northwestern Mutual is an equal opportunity employer that welcomes talented individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which each employee can contribute creative ideas, seek challenges, assume leadership and continue to focus on meeting and exceeding business and personal objectives.