Calibration Technician III

About the role

The Calibration Technician III plays a critical role in ensuring that process, laboratory, utilities, and manufacturing equipment in a GMP-regulated biomanufacturing environment operate within defined specifications and regulatory requirements. This position supports the reliable production of biologics, cell therapies, gene therapies, vaccines, and other biopharmaceutical products by performing calibration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and thorough documentation of instrumentation and equipment. The technician collaborates closely with Manufacturing, Facilities, Engineering, Validation, and Quality teams to maintain cGMP compliance, enhance equipment reliability, and minimize operational downtime through proactive calibration programs and equipment qualification support.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine and corrective calibration of manufacturing, utility, and laboratory instrumentation in accordance with established procedures and cGMP requirements.
• Calibrate a wide range of equipment, including temperature transmitters and probes, pressure gauges and transmitters, flow meters, conductivity and pH sensors, scales and balances, humidity sensors, pipettes (single and multi‑channel), orbital shakers and rocking platforms, CO₂ incubators, environmental chambers, refrigerators, freezers, and other temperature‑controlled storage units.
• Calibrate and maintain laboratory and process instruments such as pH and conductivity meters, centrifuges, bioreactors, fermentors, autoclaves, and sterilization equipment.
• Execute preventive maintenance activities according to established schedules to ensure equipment reliability and reduce unplanned downtime.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, control systems, and equipment failures to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Coordinate repairs and vendor service activities, ensuring that work is completed safely, on time, and in compliance with internal quality standards.
• Assist with Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ), and Performance Qualification (PQ) activities for new and existing equipment.
• Support the commissioning and startup of new manufacturing and laboratory equipment by performing required calibrations and functional checks.
• Assist Validation and Engineering teams during equipment investigations, change controls, and CAPA activities related to calibration and instrumentation.
• Participate in equipment return‑to‑service activities following maintenance, repair, or qualification to verify that equipment meets all operational and regulatory requirements.
• Support calibration programs that comply with GMP, FDA, ISO, and internal quality requirements by following established procedures and documentation practices.
• Maintain accurate and complete calibration records, including scheduling, documentation, deviation investigations, and updates within asset management or calibration management systems.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, and Maintenance teams to prioritize calibration activities and ensure alignment with production schedules and quality expectations.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 2+ years of calibration, instrumentation, metrology, or maintenance experience in a GMP-regulated pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or life sciences environment.
• Hands-on experience calibrating and maintaining laboratory and manufacturing equipment, including pipettes (single and multi‑channel), orbital shakers and rocking platforms, CO₂ incubators, environmental chambers, refrigerators, freezers, temperature‑controlled storage units, balances and scales, pH and conductivity meters, centrifuges, bioreactors, fermentors, and autoclaves and sterilization equipment.
• Proficiency in performing routine and corrective calibration on manufacturing, utility, and laboratory instrumentation.
• Demonstrated ability to execute preventive maintenance activities and troubleshoot instrumentation, control systems, and equipment failures.
• Experience supporting calibration programs in accordance with GMP, FDA, ISO, and internal quality requirements.
• Familiarity with calibration scheduling, documentation practices, deviation investigations, and asset management systems.
• Strong understanding of metrology principles and instrumentation used in biomanufacturing and laboratory environments.
• Ability to support IQ, OQ, and PQ activities and to work effectively with Validation and Engineering teams.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills to document work, support investigations, and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to maintaining data integrity and regulatory compliance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree in Instrumentation Technology, Electronics, Engineering Technology, Industrial Maintenance, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Equivalent military or technical training may be considered in place of a formal degree.
• Experience in a GMP-regulated biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or cell and gene therapy manufacturing environment strongly preferred.
• Experience calibrating and maintaining upstream bioprocess equipment, including fermentors, bioreactors, cell culture incubators, and media preparation systems.
• Experience supporting downstream purification equipment and process utilities.
• Knowledge of calibration management and maintenance systems such as Blue Mountain, ProCal, SAP PM, or similar tools.
• Experience working within cross-functional teams that include Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Maintenance, and Validation.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and the ability to support change controls and CAPA activities related to equipment and instrumentation.

Work Environment

This role operates in a GMP-regulated biomanufacturing and laboratory environment that supports the production of biologics, cell therapies, gene therapies, vaccines, and other biopharmaceutical products. The Calibration Technician III works closely with Manufacturing, Facilities, Engineering, Validation, and Quality teams and spends significant time in production areas, laboratories, utilities spaces, and equipment rooms. The position involves frequent interaction with complex laboratory and process equipment such as bioreactors, fermentors, incubators, autoclaves, environmental chambers, centrifuges, and various analytical instruments. Work is performed under strict cGMP, FDA, and ISO guidelines, with a strong emphasis on documentation accuracy, traceability, and adherence to established procedures. The environment may require working around temperature-controlled storage units, pressurized systems, and sterilization equipment, and following appropriate safety and gowning practices consistent with regulated biomanufacturing and laboratory operations.

Pay

The pay range for this position is $43.27 – $52.88/hr. Individual compensation offered within this range will depend on qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Benefits

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)