Job Title: Utilities Project Engineer
Location: Norfolk, VA area
Hire Type: Direct-Hire, Onsite
Travel Requirement: ~50% to nationwide manufacturing facilities
Target Salary: $90,000–$110,000/year + target bonus (~$7,500)
Benefits: PTO, paid holidays, medical/dental/vision plans, 401(k), relocation assistance
Must-Have Skills:
- Utilities project engineering in a manufacturing environment
- Industrial refrigeration (ammonia), wastewater systems, and other utilities.
- Project management (cradle-to-grave execution)
- AutoCAD proficiency
- Vendor and contractor management
Job Summary:
The Utilities Project Engineer supports multiple manufacturing facilities by leading and executing capital projects related to industrial refrigeration and utility systems. This role focuses on system design, optimization, and compliance, while partnering closely with plant teams, engineering, and PSM leadership. The ideal candidate brings hands-on ammonia refrigeration experience and can manage projects from concept through completion across a multi-site environment.
Job Duties:
- Support multiple manufacturing facilities with refrigeration and utilities engineering projects
- Lead projects from concept through execution, including design, budgeting, and implementation
- Develop equipment specifications, obtain quotes, and coordinate installation schedules
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to industrial refrigeration systems
- Partner with plant teams and PSM leadership to ensure regulatory compliance
- Perform system analysis (load, charge, relief calculations) to optimize performance
- Manage contractors and vendors to ensure successful project delivery
- Assist with capital planning and continuous improvement initiatives
- Research and support implementation of new technologies
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)
- 2+ years of relevant engineering experience in manufacturing
- Hands-on experience with ammonia/industrial refrigeration systems
- Industrial refrigeration certification is required (RETA CIRO, ANSI/IIAR2, etc.)
- Proven ability to manage full project lifecycle (cradle-to-grave)
- Experience with project budgeting and financial tracking
- Strong understanding of utility systems and plant infrastructure
- Proficiency with AutoCAD
- Ability to travel ~50% (2–3 days/week, occasional extended trips) is required
- Experience in food or protein manufacturing is preferred
- Electrical troubleshooting experience (motors, controls, circuits) is preferred
- Wastewater systems experience is preferred
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.