The
Facilities Engineer is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the plant's facility and utility systems, including chillers, boilers, water treatment plants (DI, RO), HVAC and building heating systems, compressed air, steam, fire protection, dust collection, and flume house metering. The role leads preventive and predictive maintenance, troubleshooting, capital and improvement projects, energy and utility monitoring, contractor management, and regulatory compliance (GMP/cGMP, FDA, OSHA, EPA). The Facilities Engineer works closely with Maintenance, Production, HSE, Quality, and external contractors to ensure uninterrupted utility supply and a safe, compliant plant environment.
Job Duties:Facility & Utility Systems Management:
- Manage day-to-day operation, maintenance, and reliability of facility and utility systems - chillers (glycol & water), boilers, steam & condensate, DI and RO purified water systems, well water, HVAC and building heating, compressed air, dust collectors, and flume house meters.
- Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventive and predictive maintenance (PM/PdM) programs for all utility and facility equipment using the CMMS.
- Monitor utility KPIs (energy, water, steam, compressed air, refrigeration) and drive initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and lower operating cost.
- Troubleshoot complex mechanical, electrical, and controls issues on chillers, boilers, AHUs, pumps, RO/DI skids, and associated instrumentation.
- Review and approve repairs, modifications, and upgrades to facility and utility infrastructure.
Engineering, Projects & Capital Improvements:
- Scope, design, justify, and execute small-to-medium capital and improvement projects for utilities and building systems (chiller replacements, boiler upgrades, HVAC modifications, water system expansions, etc.).
- Prepare technical specifications, equipment data sheets, P&IDs, single-line diagrams, and project schedules.
- Obtain quotes, evaluate vendors, and manage contractors through design, installation, commissioning, and close-out.
- Lead or support energy audits, utility studies, and sustainability initiatives (water reuse, heat recovery, LED, VFDs, etc.).
- Maintain accurate drawings, equipment lists, and technical documentation for all facility and utility systems.
Regulatory Compliance, GMP & Safety:
- Ensure facility and utility systems comply with GMP/cGMP, FDA, OSHA, EPA, state, and local regulations.
- Own utility-related compliance programs: boiler inspections, pressure vessel certifications, fire protection testing, backflow prevention, refrigerant management, wastewater and stormwater requirements.
- Maintain compliance with LOTO, confined space, elevated work, hot work, hazardous waste, and general plant safety programs.
- Support qualification, validation, and change control of utility systems (purified water, HVAC, compressed air) per cGMP requirements.
- Lead root cause analysis and CAPA for utility-related deviations, failures, and incidents.
Utility Operations & Monitoring:
- Operate, monitor, and optimize boilers, steam and condensate systems, water treatment plant (DI/RO), purified water loops, and well water systems.
- Manage HVAC systems, glycol and water chillers, hot water recirculating systems, and building heating to maintain required environmental conditions.
- Oversee fire protection systems, fire alarms, emergency lighting, and life-safety systems including periodic inspections and testing.
- Manage dust collection and dust control systems for safe operation and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor flume house meters and utility consumption; review trends and address abnormalities.
- Use HMI, SCADA, BMS, and CMMS systems to monitor performance and drive data-based decisions.
Contractor & Vendor Management:
- Select, qualify, and manage facility contractors and utility service providers.
- Ensure contractor work meets safety, GMP, quality, schedule, and cost objectives.
- Review contractor scopes of work, JSAs, permits (hot work, LOTO, confined space), and ensure compliance with site policies.
- Track contractor performance and provide feedback to drive continuous improvement.
Teamwork, Leadership & Availability:
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring to maintenance technicians and operators on utility systems.
- Communicate effectively across Production, Maintenance, HSE, Quality, and Engineering teams.
- Be available to support shifts, overtime, weekends, holidays, and emergency call-outs as required to maintain plant operations.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management. No task is exclusive to a single classification or skillset.
Education Requirements:- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering or related Engineering discipline (or equivalent combination of education and progressive plant/utility engineering experience)
Minimum Work Requirements:- Minimum 7-10 years of progressive experience in facilities/utilities engineering or plant engineering in a manufacturing environment (food, pharmaceutical, chemical, or similar regulated industry preferred).
- Hands-on experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting chillers (glycol/water), boilers, steam and condensate systems, HVAC, AHUs, compressed air, and dust collection systems.
- Demonstrated experience with water treatment systems including DI, RO, softeners, and purified water loops; ability to interpret water quality data and troubleshoot system issues.
- Experience leading capital and utility improvement projects from concept through commissioning.
- Experience working in regulated GMP/cGMP and FDA-inspected environments with strong understanding of validation/qualification of utility systems.
- Experience managing contractors, service providers, and multi-discipline projects.
- Working knowledge of HMI, SCADA, BMS, and CMMS platforms for utility monitoring and maintenance management.
- Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, NFPA, ASME, and applicable state/local codes for utilities and facilities.
Preferred Qualifications:- Professional Engineer (PE) license, CEM, or boiler operator/stationary engineer license, HVAC certification
- OSHA 10/30, LOTO, Confined Space and other safety certifications
- Strong project management skills; PMP or Six Sigma certification
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, MS Project, and MS Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio)
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and root cause analysis skills (5-Why, fishbone, FMEA)
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to write technical reports and SOPs
- Experience with energy management, sustainability initiatives, and utility optimization
- Experience with fire protection systems, emergency preparedness, stormwater/wastewater, and hazardous waste programs is an advantage
- Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence without direct authority
Physical Requirements:- Ability to walk, stand, climb stairs, ladders, and platforms throughout an industrial plant environment
- Ability to work at heights and from ladders, scissor lifts, and boom lifts; comfortable in mechanical rooms, rooftops, and confined spaces
- Ability to work in dusty, hot, cold, wet, and noisy environments and wear required PPE (safety glasses, steel-toed shoes, hearing protection, hard hat, respirator as needed)
- Moderate lifting (up to 50 lbs.); frequent bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, reaching, and use of hand and power tools during field troubleshooting
- Available for occasional after-hours, weekend, and emergency response to support 24/7 plant operations
At VVF, our people are what make the difference. Benefits for this position include medical, dental and vision insurance available on day 1 of employment. Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability coverages are provided and paid for by the company. We offer a company match on employee contributions into our available 401(k) retirement plan. Enjoy company paid holidays and vacation time as well as a business casual work environment.
