Senior Instrumentation Technician
Lonza · Vacaville, CA
- Level
- Technician
- Team
- Reliability
- Base pay
- $62k–$103k
- Industry
- Pharma & life sciences
- Posted
- 30+ days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A technician-level reliability role at Lonza (pharma & life sciences) in Vacaville, CA. Collect, organize, and analyze technical data from equipment manufacturers and engineering teams; assist with spare parts identification, procurement, and inventory management.
- Tools it names
- FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, SAP
- Base pay
- $62k–$103k
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026
Maintenance Technician roles in California: typical posted base $72k–$110k. This one lists $62k–$103k.
Median of the low and high ends of 6 live postings that list pay, out of 101 maintenance technician openings in California, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
California plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 101 other live reliability postings in California.
- Base pay
- About 22% below similar roles
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $90k–$121k, from 6 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 3+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ PLC 33%
- Welding 32%
- Team leadership 32%
- Tooling 30%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
Stands out: this posting asks for FDA / GMP, Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), SAP, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Reliability team at Lonza
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Lonza in Vacaville
3 other open roles at this site.
- Senior Manufacturing Technician - Bioprocess · Process · Technician
- Senior Automation Engineer I · Controls · Senior
- Senior Validation Engineer - CSV (OT) · Quality · Senior
Full description from LonzaAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
What you will do
- ◆Install, troubleshoot, calibrate, maintain, and modify process control instruments, analyzers, laboratory equipment, and utility systems to ensure reliable plant operations.
- ◆Program, configure, and support microprocessor-based control systems, including PLCs, DCS, and smart instrumentation devices, while maintaining accurate technical documentation.
- ◆Read, interpret, and apply Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), electrical schematics, and technical drawings for maintenance, upgrades, and system improvements.
- ◆Ensure compliance with cGMP, SOPs, safety regulations, and documentation standards, delivering Right-First-Time execution and timely completion of work orders.
- ◆Collaborate with Manufacturing, Quality, Engineering, Technology, and Validation teams to optimize instrument performance, resolve process issues, and support startup activities.
- ◆Collect, organize, and analyze technical data from equipment manufacturers and engineering teams; assist with spare parts identification, procurement, and inventory management.
- ◆Train and mentor technicians on instrumentation systems, troubleshooting techniques, operational procedures, and best practices while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Location: Vacaville, CA
This is a fully site‑based role. Working together in person supports close, real‑time collaboration and the technical precision needed to manufacture medicines to the highest quality and safety standards.
The primary responsibility of Instrument Services is to maximize equipment availability for processing by safely maintaining equipment and instrumentation through Calibration, Preventive and Corrective Maintenance.
In support of these activities, Instrument Services provides personnel 24/hours/day, 7 days per week for calibration, maintenance, discrepancy response, contractor oversight, vendor resource management, project support and training.
All Instrument Services Technicians are trained to perform calibration and maintenance in the primary manufacturing support areas and Materials Management, Quality Control Labs, and Utility Operations
Work Schedule: Day Shift: 6:00a - 6:30p OR Night Shift 6:00p – 6:30a
What you will get
The full-time base annual salary for this position is expected to range between $61,500 to $102,500. In addition, below you will find a comprehensive summary of the benefits package we offer:
- •Performance-related bonus
- •Medical, dental and vision insurance
- •401(k) matching plan
- •Life insurance, as well as short-term and long-term disability insurance
- •Employee assistance programs
- •Paid Time Off
What we are looking for
- •High School Diploma or GED Required
- •Strong understanding of industrial process maintenance and systems.
- •Experience working in a GMP regulated environment is preferred.
- •Uses ability as a skilled specialist in accordance with company policies and procedures to complete complex assignments within defined parameters.
- •Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. with reasonable accommodations.
- •Experienced in Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) and calibration management programs; SAP experience preferred.
- •Valid driver’s license.
About Lonza
At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.
Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.