JOB TITLE: Utilities and Facilities Engineer JOB STATEMENT: We are seeking an experienced Utilities & Facilities Engineer with strong project management skills to provide engineering leadership for all utility and facility systems supporting a food manufacturing plant in California. This role focuses on the engineering design, analysis, specification, optimization, and capital project execution of plant utilities and facility infrastructure while ensuring reliable production support, food safety, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective performance.
The ideal candidate combines deep technical knowledge of industrial utility systems with solid project engineering discipline and the ability to lead cross-functional teams, contractors, and vendors in a regulated food production environment.
essential functions:- Provide engineering ownership for the design, performance, reliability, and continuous improvement of plant utility and facility systems, including:
- Steam generation and distribution (boilers, condensate systems, steam traps)
- Refrigeration and process cooling (ammonia or glycol systems, chillers, condensers)
- Compressed air systems
- Process and domestic water systems, including treatment and quality
- Wastewater pretreatment and discharge systems
- HVAC and building environmental controls
- Electrical distribution (MCCs, VFDs, power systems, and backup generation)
- Natural gas and fuel systems
- Fire protection and life-safety systems
- Lead capital and expense engineering projects from concept through commissioning-developing scopes, justifications, designs, specifications, procurement packages, installation oversight, and project close-out. Manage budgets, schedules, contractors, and change control
- Perform engineering calculations, system evaluations, capacity studies, and failure analyses. Develop and maintain accurate engineering documentation including P&IDs, single-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and as-built records
- Ensure engineering compliance with California and federal regulations, including Cal/OSHA, applicable air quality district rules, wastewater permits, Title 24 energy codes, and food safety requirements (FDA, FSMA, HACCP, SQF or equivalent)
- Support food safety and hygienic design principles for utility systems that interface with production (water quality, air quality, temperature control, and prevention of cross-contamination)
- Specify equipment, write technical scopes of work and RFQs, evaluate vendor proposals, and manage engineering relationships with consultants, contractors, and equipment suppliers
- Drive energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainability projects through engineering analysis and implementation
- Provide technical leadership and mentoring on utility and facility engineering matters. Serve as a key engineering resource during plant modifications, startups, and system upgrades
- Champion engineering best practices and a strong safety culture in all project and system work
QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE SKILLS:- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline
- 5+ years of progressive engineering experience focused on utilities and facilities in a manufacturing environment; food, beverage, dairy, or pharmaceutical experience strongly preferred
- Demonstrated project engineering and project management experience delivering capital projects in an operating plant (scope development, design, budgeting, contractor management, commissioning)
- Strong technical knowledge of the utility and facility systems required to support food manufacturing operations
- Working knowledge of California regulatory requirements affecting manufacturing facilities (Cal/OSHA, environmental permits, energy codes, wastewater, and air quality)
- Proficiency in reading and producing engineering drawings, P&IDs, specifications, and technical documentation
- Experience with engineering analysis, system design, and equipment specification
- Excellent communication, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills
- Ability to respond to critical system or project needs outside normal hours when required
- Experience with refrigeration systems and related Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements
- Knowledge of food safety standards (HACCP, SQF, BRC) and hygienic design principles for utility systems
- Experience with energy management, boiler/system optimization, or utility metering and analytics
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or formal project management training
- Familiarity with PLC/SCADA interfaces related to utility monitoring and control
- Background in continuous improvement methodologies applied to engineering projects
- Some evening or weekend work may be required during project execution or system outages
PHYSCIAL REQUIREMENT:This is an on-site engineering role in an active food manufacturing plant. The position requires regular presence on the plant floor, in mechanical rooms, and outdoor equipment areas, with occasional exposure to noise, temperature extremes, and industrial environments.
BENEFITS:Sconza Candy Company offers a competitive compensation and benefit program which includes full medical and dental coverage, 401(k) with company match + discretionary contribution (100% vested immediately), vacation and 11 holidays per year.
SALARY RANGE: $95,000-$115,000 annually. The final compensation offered within this range will depend on factors including the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
