Onsite - Vacaville
HVAC Engineer
Job Summary
- Provide engineering support for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems to ensure reliable, compliant, and efficient operation of facility and manufacturing environments. This role supports operations, maintenance, and capital projects within Utilities and Facilities Engineering.
- HVAC systems are critical for controlling temperature, humidity, airflow, cleanliness, and pressure, which directly impacts product quality and regulatory compliance in pharmaceutical environments.
Key Responsibilities
Technical & Engineering
- Design, review, and modify HVAC systems, including:
- Air Handling Units (AHUs), ducting, and airflow systems
- Heating, cooling, humidification, and filtration systems
- Perform engineering calculations (airflow, load, pressure, energy)
- Ensure compliance with GMP, GEP, and site standards for controlled environments
- Review and approve HVAC-related drawings, specifications, and change records
- Support system commissioning, qualification, and requalification
- Operations Support
- Provide troubleshooting support for HVAC system failures or deviations
- Analyze system performance issues (e.g., airflow imbalance, temperature instability)
- Work closely with maintenance and operations teams to resolve issues in real time
- Participate in on-call or off-hours support when required (common in utilities roles)
- Automation & Controls (BAS Integration)
- Support HVAC systems integrated with Building Automation Systems (BAS), including:
- Monitoring alarms and trends
- Troubleshooting system malfunctions
- Reviewing and implementing automation changes
- HVAC systems are commonly monitored via BAS platforms (e.g., Siemens Desigo), which also handle site utility alarms and regulatory monitoring
- Projects & Continuous Improvement
- Lead or support capital projects and upgrades (retrofits, expansions, efficiency improvements)
- Identify energy and sustainability opportunities (e.g., airflow optimization, heat recovery)
- Support retro commissioning efforts to improve system performance and reliability
- Assist in developing and executing project scopes, timelines, and budgets
- Compliance & Documentation
- Ensure HVAC systems meet regulatory and quality requirements (FDA, GMP)
- Support audits, inspections, and deviation investigations
- Develop and maintain:
- SOPs and engineering standards
- Change controls and validation documentation
- Provide technical input for permits and safety reviews
Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
Experience
Typically 3–8+ years in HVAC engineering or utilities systems
- Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, or regulated environments preferred
- Skills & Competencies
- Strong understanding of:
- HVAC system design and operation
- Cleanroom and controlled environments
- BAS/controls systems
- Problem-solving and troubleshooting capability
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
- Strong collaboration with operations, quality, and maintenance teams
Work Scope
- Supporting site utilities such as HVAC, chilled water, steam, and compressed air systems
- Working on tasks such as:
- Airflow verification and requalification
- Equipment data management
- Sustainability and energy improvement initiatives
The hiring rate for this position is $50.00 to $58.00/per hour. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity, and may also vary depending on candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience amongst other factors.
Harvest Technical Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, Sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or any other federal, state, or local protected class.