Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer (Remote)

The Sr. Utilities Engineer plays a crucial role in optimizing and managing utility systems across Smithfield facilities, focusing on industrial refrigeration, boiler, and compressed air systems to ensure efficient, safe, and compliant operations.

About the role

As a Sr. Utilities Engineer, you will support U.S. Fresh and Packaged Meat Facilities by designing, developing, and optimizing utility systems—including industrial refrigeration, boiler, and compressed air systems. You’ll troubleshoot existing systems, implement new projects, provide regulatory guidance, and collaborate with facilities and project engineering teams to drive continuous improvement and business growth.

Responsibilities

• Support all U.S. Fresh and Packaged Meat Facilities as required, collaborating with facilities teams and project engineering on Capital Infrastructure Plans.
• Engage professional refrigeration engineering resources during the design and development of projects.
• Assist facilities and PSM Management Team in compliance-related issues.
• Develop designs, including selecting equipment, obtaining quotes, and scheduling work.
• Implement resolutions to issues related to facility refrigeration systems and standardize equipment requirements.
• Assist with planning and budgeting for utilities engineering improvement projects to meet project expectations and timelines.
• Optimize utility systems based on facility operating requirements.
• Research and test new technology to enhance system performance.
• Assess complex operations and systems to support Operations management.
• Identify and correct deficiencies within existing systems by performing load, charge, and relief calculations.
• Lead multiple efforts across different fields while ensuring adherence to proper protocols and practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
• 5+ years of experience in operations, maintenance, and optimization of Ammonia Refrigeration systems, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• RETA CIRO (Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator) certification, ANSI/IIAR2 certification, Garden City Program Operator II certification, or equivalent certification from a nationally recognized ammonia training program.
• Deep theoretical understanding of industrial refrigeration systems and ability to apply this knowledge to the role.
• Strong reading, math, writing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to perform assigned tasks efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Willingness to travel to other locations (50% of the time).

Skills

• Electrical experience and troubleshooting in low and high voltage circuits, motors, and controls (preferred).
• Wastewater operations experience (preferred).
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Respectful, approachable, and team-oriented with strong relationship-building skills.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Office and plant setting with exposure to wet/humid conditions, extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts, fumes, airborne particles, and chemicals.
• Noise levels may be moderate to loud in production areas.
• Occasional lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must be able to work at elevated heights.
• Frequent standing, walking, use of hands, reaching, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and talking or hearing.

Pay

The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 - $120,000 annually. Individual compensation will be determined based on scope, responsibilities, location, qualifications, experience, internal equity, market pay, and budget considerations.

Benefits

Smithfield Foods offers a comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits here.

Relocation package available.