JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Design Engineer

Location: Homestead, Florida

Reports to: Director - RAS Technology & Farm Performance

Classification: ☒Exempt • Non-exempt

Job Summary:

The Design Engineer is responsible for the engineering design, optimization, and technical leadership of critical mechanical and process systems supporting our 24/7 Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) operation. This role focuses on developing innovative engineering solutions involving thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and mechanical system design to improve reliability, energy efficiency, and operational performance.

Working closely with Operations, Automation, Maintenance, and Project Engineering, this position leads the design, evaluation, and implementation of mechanical systems including pumps, piping, valves, heat exchangers, HVAC, chillers, water treatment equipment, and filtration systems. The successful candidate combines strong analytical engineering skills with practical experience designing systems for continuous industrial operations.

Job Description:

Core areas of responsibility:

• Design and optimize mechanical and process systems supporting RAS operations.
• Perform engineering calculations related to fluid flow, heat transfer, thermodynamics, and hydraulic system performance.
• Evaluate existing system performance and develop engineering solutions that improve efficiency, uptime, and reliability.
• Develop equipment specifications, P&IDs, design packages, and technical documentation.
• Lead root cause investigations and develop permanent engineering solutions.
• Develop engineering standards and design best practices.
• Coordinate internal projects with key parties related to system design, operation and optimization.
• Support the design, operational optimization, and reliability of mechanical and process systems within RAS operations
• Analyze system performance data and implement financially prioritized engineering solutions to improve up-time and operational efficiency
• Work cohesively with internal team members in production, supply chain, and finance
• Troubleshoot and optimize chillers, HVAC systems, pumps, valves, filtration systems, and chemical treatment processes
• Size and select equipment based on process requirements and engineering calculations.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, and Controls teams to enhance process reliability
• Work closely with automation and PLC systems to ensure stable system performance
• Develop, implement, and optimize preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
• Support emergency troubleshooting in a 24/7 operating environment
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to energy usage, water quality, operational stability, and process performance
• Coordinate with external vendors and engineering partners

Skills, competences, and knowledge to perform the work

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, chemical, or other), aquaculture, systems operations, or related field required. Advanced technical degree or master's degree a plus.
• 5-10 years of engineering design experience in continuous industrial operations (power generation, marine, utilities, water treatment, food processing, chemical plants, or similar)
• Experience in marine engineering, Navy engineering or merchant marine operations is desirable.
• Experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Plant3D, Revit, or similar engineering software.
• Experience developing engineering calculations, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting and root cause analysis capability

Work EnvironmentThis job operates in a combined office and production environment within a 24/7 aquaculture facility.

Schedule

Core business hours Monday through Friday with modified schedule as needed to support farm projects. Expectation that responses to calls outside of standard work hours may be required based on operational needs.

Physical Demands

☒ Climbing

☒ Kneeling and Crawling
☒ Reaching. Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction

☒ Sitting down. Particularly for sustained periods of time

☒ Standing. Particularly for sustained periods of time

☒ Walking
• Pushing. Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward, or outward
• Lifting
• Repetitive motion

2.The physical requirements of this position.
• Sedentary work and up to 10 pounds of force/lifting

☒ Light work. Up to 20 pounds of force/lifting
• Medium work. Up to 30 pounds of force/lifting
• Heavy work. More than 30 pounds of force/lifting