HVAC Engineer - Air Scrubber Tech - San Jose, Ca
Job-ID
267246
Publiceret
23-mar-2026
Afregningslinje
GWS Segment
Stillingstype
Fuldtid
Interesseområder
Engineering/Vedligeholdelse
Geografisk position(er)
San Jose - California - United States of America

CBRE Global Workplace Solutions (GWS) works with clients to make real estate a significant contributor to organizational productivity and performance. Our account management model is at the heart of our client-centric approach to delivering integrated real estate solutions. Each client is entrusted with a dedicated leader and is supported by regional and global resources, demonstrating the industry's most robust platform. CBRE GWS delivers consistent, measurably superior outcomes for our clients at every stage of the lifecycle, and across industries and geographies.

About the Role

We are seeking a Building Engineer with Air Scrubber experience to maintain, troubleshoot, and optimize air scrubbing systems that protect people, products, and processes in commercial/industrial labs and other high‑purity environments. The role emphasizes proactive PMs, precise diagnostics, compliant documentation, and safe work practices across carbon bed and fluidized carbon scrubbers (no pre/post particulate filters in our standard configuration).

What You’ll Do (Key Responsibilities)

  • Planned Maintenance (PM): Execute and document PMs on air scrubbers per OEM and site standards, visual inspection, airflow verification (CFM/ACH), pressure drop trends across carbon media beds, fan/motor/VFD checks, control setpoint verification, and sensor calibration/validation.
  • System Commissioning & Optimization: Commission or re‑commission scrubbers after repairs/media changeouts or controls updates. Verify end‑to‑end performance: airflow/ACH, pressure profiles, fan curves, vibration, electrical loads, and control loop stability.
  • Troubleshooting & Repairs:
    • Resolve low ACH/airflow and no‑airflow conditions by isolating electrical (power, overloads), controls (VFD, PID, safeties, interlocks), mechanical (belts, bearings, impellers), and airflow restrictions (duct/hood issues, carbon bed channeling or compaction).
    • Investigate alarm discrepancies (e.g., high differential pressure vs. normal airflow signal) and correct root causes (sensor drift/failure, tubing issues, mis-scaled ranges).
    • Address odor/contaminant breakthrough in carbon systems—perform odor/VOC checks, review adsorption bed life, evaluate gas path, verify housing seals and bypass leakage, and schedule media changeouts.
  • Media & Hardware Work: Plan and perform carbon media handling/changeout, gasket/seal replacement, fan motor swaps, alignment, belt tensioning, and VFD parameterization (accel/decel, min/max Hz, PID).
  • Measurements & Controls: Calibrate/validate pressure, airflow, VOC/odor, and other EHS sensors; maintain calibration records and traceability.
  • Regulated/Critical Environments: Align PM intervals and documentation with lab/cleanroom/GMP or site Quality requirements; support audits with complete, accurate records.
  • Safety & Compliance: Apply LOTO, hazard assessments, and task‑specific PPE; manage waste/media handling and disposal per environmental and site procedures.
  • Steam Fundamentals (as applicable on site): Understand basics of steam systems, including how a pressure‑reducing station operates and recognizing condensate/steam trap issues that can affect related process ventilation equipment.
  • Collaboration & Communication: Coordinate with EHS, Lab Operations, and Controls teams; escalate risks; provide service reports with clear findings, corrective actions, and recommendations.

Minimum Qualifications

  • 3+ years maintaining industrial ventilation, air handling, or process exhaust systems (scrubbers, fans, VFDs, duct systems) or equivalent military/technical training.
  • Hands‑on experience with carbon bed and/or fluidized carbon air scrubbers, including basic adsorption principles and media lifecycle.
  • Proficiency using instruments for airflow, pressure, vibration, temperature, and gas/VOC detection.
  • Working knowledge of electrical and controls fundamentals (reading wiring diagrams, VFD setup, sensors/transmitters, analog/digital I/O).
  • Demonstrated ability to follow LOTO, PPE, hazard communication, and safe material handling practices.
  • Comfortable producing compliant service/PM documentation and calibration records.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in labs/cleanrooms/GMP or similarly regulated environments.
  • Familiarity with fan curves, system effect, and balancing basics; ability to validate ACH and pressure regimes.
  • Experience diagnosing odor complaints and carbon breakthrough (including evaluating bed pressure drop trends, bypass leaks, and changeout criteria).
  • Hands‑on motor replacement/alignment and VFD commissioning (tuning PID for airflow/pressure control).
  • Understanding of steam pressure‑reducing stations and condensate management (recognition of failed steam traps or condensate buildup).
  • Certifications: OSHA 10/30, Confined Space (as required), Forklift/Aerial Lift, HazMat/HAZWOPER (as site requires).
  • CMMS proficiency and basic Excel/Teams/SharePoint skills.

Technical Competencies

  • Airflow diagnostics (CFM/ACH), differential pressure interpretation, and root‑cause analysis.
  • Sensor calibration/validation (pressure, airflow, VOC) including documentation, ranges, and as-found/as-left data.
  • VFDs: parameter setup, fault diagnostics, motor nameplate alignment, and safe startup.
  • Mechanical skills: bearings, belts, shaft alignment, impeller inspection, gasket/seal replacement.
  • Carbon media handling and changeout, including environmental and waste compliance.
  • Reading P&IDs, one-lines, and OEM manuals; using test instruments safely and accurately.

Safety & Environmental Expectations

  • Rigorously apply LOTO, job hazard analyses, and PPE selection.
  • Handle and dispose of spent carbon and other wastes per site environmental procedures.
  • Maintain clean work areas and contamination controls when working on hazardous exhaust or hood systems.
  • Participate in incident reporting, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.

Work Conditions & Physical Requirements

  • Ability to lift 50 lbs, climb ladders, and work at heights or in tight mechanical spaces.
  • Periodic on‑call/after‑hours support aligned to facility needs.
  • May require respirator use and fit testing; ability to wear required PPE for extended periods.

Success Metrics (How You’ll Be Measured)

  • PM completion on time and first‑time fix rate.
  • System uptime/availability and adherence to ACH/pressure specs.
  • Calibration compliance and audit‑ready documentation.
  • Safety leading indicators (JHAs completed, near-miss reporting) and zero recordables.
  • Quality of troubleshooting (root‑cause depth) and communication.

Disclaimers

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate’s education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for the HVAC Engineer (Air Scrubber) position is $35.00/hourly and the maximum salary is 45.00 hourly. The compensation offered to a successful candidate will depend on their skills, qualifications, and experience. Successful candidates will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on CBRE’s applicable benefit program. This role will provide the following benefits: 401(K), Dental insurance, Health insurance, Life insurance, and Vision insurance.
Equal Employment Opportunity: CBRE has a long-standing commitment to providing equal employment opportunity to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, veteran status, political belief, or any other basis protected by applicable law.