Startup & Warranty Service Apprentice

Hoffman Hydronics –Startup & Warranty Apprentice
Department: Rep Field Services 
Job Type: Apprenticeship (Hourly, Overtime Eligible)

At Hoffman Hydronics (HHY), we partner with customers, internal teammates, fellow Hoffman companies, and vendors to deliver high‑performing Hydronic HVAC, Engineered Plumbing, and Industrial Steam & Process Water solutions. We are a 100% employee‑owned company (ESOP), so when we succeed together, every employee shares in that success. 

As an Apprentice, you’ll learn how a fast‑growing, technical field organization operates while supporting experienced technicians in the field. You’ll gain exposure to advanced equipment and real‑world job sites while building foundational skills for a long‑term career. 

Role Summary:

As an HHY Startup & Warranty Service Apprentice, you will support our Start‑up & Warranty Technicians as they act as advanced technical experts on our specific brands of equipment. To our customers, the field team represents both Hoffman Hydronics and the manufacturer, and you will be part of that team image. 

You will assist with start‑ups, warranty service visits, basic equipment training sessions, and troubleshooting activities under close supervision. At start‑up, you’ll help verify that equipment is installed properly and observe how our technicians bring systems online and confirm they operate as intended. 

During warranty visits, you’ll see how issues are assessed and documented, and how technicians balance the best interests of manufacturers and clients—often in stressful, time‑sensitive situations. You’ll be expected to maintain a calm, professional presence and a willingness to learn how to resolve problems in a safe, effective, and appropriate way.

What You’ll Do:

You will work under the guidance of experienced technicians and mentors, gradually taking on more responsibility as you learn. 

• Assist with factory‑authorized startup, owner training, and performance checks on hydronic systems and components, including gas‑fired and electric boilers, water heaters, pumps, VFDs, booster systems, and controls.
• Help verify basic system performance against design intent by following checklists and instructions, and observe how adjustments are made to improve operation, safety, and efficiency.
• Support technicians in diagnosing mechanical, electrical, and control‑related issues by gathering data, checking readings, and reviewing drawings.
• Participate in warranty service calls as a trainee, helping document issues and learning how technicians communicate with customers in urgent situations.
• Assist with owner‑operator and maintenance staff training by preparing materials, organizing documentation, and reinforcing key operating and maintenance steps.
• Help clearly document procedures, test results, system configurations, and recommended follow‑up actions in service/startup reports, while learning how to write clear technical notes.
• Prepare for each job by helping gather tools, materials, and documentation, and confirming basic information before arriving on site.
• Collaborate with contractors, controls teams, project teams, internal sales/engineering, and manufacturers as part of a guided learning experience.
• Assist in keeping service vehicles, tools, and inventory organized, safe, and in reliable condition.
• Follow all safety policies, including lockout/tagout, PPE usage, and hazard reporting, and complete required safety training.
• Travel locally with technicians to job sites on a regular basis, with occasional overnight travel as project needs or service emergencies require.

What Makes This Apprenticeship Different:

• You get hands‑on exposure to advanced, high‑efficiency mechanical equipment in hospitals, schools, universities, industrial plants, offices, and other large facilities—no two learning experiences are the same.
• You are not just “riding along”; you are learning to become the trusted technical expert during critical startup and warranty periods.
• You see how doing startup the right way, training operators effectively, and catching issues early shapes long‑term system performance and customer perception.
• As part of an employee‑owned company, you begin to see how the quality of field to customer satisfaction and long‑term rewards for the team.

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a high school diploma, GED, trade program, or associate degree in HVAC, mechanical, electrical, or a related field; technical coursework or lab experience is a plus.
• Some hands‑on experience (school lab, co‑op, part‑time job, or personal projects) with mechanical or electrical systems—exposure to boilers, water heaters, pumps, or controls is helpful but not required.
• Basic understanding of mechanical systems and interest in learning hydronic systems, including how boilers, pumps, and controls work together.
• Willingness to learn how to read piping schematics, wiring diagrams, engineering specs, and OEM manuals, and to practice preparing clear technical notes and reports.
• Strong curiosity, troubleshooting mindset, and problem‑solving attitude, especially when under time pressure or observing urgent situations.
• Good written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to be professional, respectful, and calm with customers and teammates.
• Well‑organized, self‑motivated, and able to follow directions while gradually working more independently within a team framework.
• Comfortable using computers, email, and basic software; able to use a smartphone and apps for documentation and communication in the field.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation; able to meet any background check and drug screening requirements for job sites.
• Ability to complete required product, factory, and safety training modules during the internship.

Work Environment & Physical Demands:

• Work in mechanical rooms, rooftops, and construction sites, including confined spaces and elevated locations, always under proper supervision and safety guidelines.
• Frequent standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, climbing ladders, and use of hand and power tools while assisting technicians.
• Regular lifting and carrying of up to 50lbs, with occasional lifts up to 75lbs, using safe lifting techniques and team support.
• Exposure to varying weather conditions, noise levels, and hazards such as live voltage, moving mechanical parts, and fumes; strict adherence to safety procedures is required.
• Occasional overtime, weekend work, and after‑hours emergency calls may be part of shadowing technicians to see the full scope of the role.

Why You’ll Love This Apprenticeship:

• Learn inside a 100% employee‑owned (ESOP) company with 401(k) options, where you can explore how your work connects to long‑term value.
• Build a foundation to become a reliable water and steam systems expert in your market, with exposure to factory training and certifications.
• Join a tight‑knit, team‑oriented culture focused on partnering with customers for shared success, not just closing tickets.
• Experience variety in your day: different sites, systems, and problem‑solving opportunities, instead of the same route work every day.

If you’re eager to learn, enjoy working with your hands, and want to see how large‑scale building systems actually work, this internship is designed to help you grow into a future field expert.

This job description is intended to provide information regarding the essential functions and basic duties of this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and duties that could be assigned. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by management as it deems appropriate. This document does not constitute a contract and is subject to change at the discretion of Hoffman Hydronics, Inc.

No phone calls or drop-ins please.

EEO Employer/Vets/Disabled