HVAC Engineer

LIGHTERA has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in American business, tracing back to Alexander Graham Bell and the invention of the telephone over a century ago. We have a proven track record of industry firsts, including application-specific fibers, optical connectors, ribbon cables, erbium-doped fibers, Raman fiber lasers, and fiber gratings. Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing, and supplying the best optical fibers, fiber cable, components, and devices for our customers, with exceptional service that creates value for our shareholders, customers, and employees. We aim to shape the future of communications by applying the best minds to the challenges our customers face, building brighter, more connected communities through cutting-edge optical technologies.

About the role

Under general supervision, oversee the operation and maintenance of facility heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment throughout the Norcross, GA facility. Through supervision of HVAC Technicians and coordination with in-plant Trades and/or contractors, perform maintenance, modifications, optimization, and configuration to ensure reliability and performance of these systems in support of production and general plant operations. From time-to-time, design and manage construction of system improvements and assist with expansion projects as needed. Provide backup support to the Central Utility Plant Engineer on the maintenance of the Central Utility Plant and support systems to continuously supply chilled water, low/medium/high pressure compressed air, hot water, county water, tower water, domestic water, process cooling water, and other critical services to the entire manufacturing campus.

Responsibilities

• Promote a safe work environment through identification and correction of unsafe conditions and be a role model in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Work with HVAC Technicians, Trades, and Contractors to operate, monitor, and maintain the following systems:
  • More than 200 air handling units (AHUs) that utilize chilled water and hot water to control temperature and have prefilter and High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters to maintain cleanroom environments.
  • Less than 20 Direct Expansion (DX) units and their associated equipment that serve office areas.
  • More than 100 exhaust fans and scrubber fans that are belt or direct drive configurations serving laboratories, production equipment, bathrooms, and/or general building exhaust.
• Work with the Central Plant Engineer to service and maintain utility piping throughout the facility, including but not limited to hot/chilled/tempered water supply and returns, county water supply, condensate drains, and compressed air.
• Schedule and manage the time of HVAC Technicians for performing maintenance on HVAC equipment.
• Write and/or maintain procedural instructions needed to operate and perform maintenance on HVAC equipment and other systems under the responsibility of the Mechanical Engineer - HVAC.
• Work with contractors to perform repairs and/or maintenance that cannot be performed by in-house Trade resources.
• Inspect and maintain documentation regarding the condition and status of all HVAC equipment and immediately address safety risks such as conditions that could allow the presence of legionella.
• Complete other projects, as assigned, in support of production and facility operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering (preferred areas of study include Mechanical Engineering).
• Prior experience working with and maintaining HVAC equipment at large facilities.
• Demonstrate effective communication (verbal, written) skills.
• Proficient with MS Office applications.
• Maintain discretion when working with confidential and proprietary information.
• Strict adherence to company safety policies and procedures.
• Conform to all aspects of Lightera’s “Standards of Conduct.”
• Serve as a role model for safe work practices and behaviors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with HVAC equipment used to maintain cleanroom environments at large-scale manufacturing facilities.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Georgia (a plus but not required).

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Medical and dental coverage.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Matching 401(k) plan.

Lightera is a global leader in optical fiber and connectivity solutions, delivering innovative technologies that drive communication networks, data centers, and specialty photonics applications. With a deep legacy of expertise in optical science, we provide high-performance solutions that enable faster, more reliable, and more sustainable connections for businesses, communities, and industries worldwide. Headquartered in Norcross, Georgia, U.S.A., Lightera operates with a global footprint, serving customers across telecommunications, enterprise, industrial, generative AI, data centers, 5G/6G, utilities, medical, aerospace, defense, and sensing markets. Lightera is part of Furukawa Electric Group, a multi-billion-dollar leader in optical communications.