Engineer-Utilities & HVAC | GMP Pharmaceutica

Kelly Services; Petersburg (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelly Services in Petersburg, VA seeks an Engineer II - Utilities & HVAC to lead GMP utility and HVAC systems during final construction, commissioning and start-up of a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.

As Site SME, you will ensure reliability, validation, and continuous improvement; collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Quality, HSE; drive IQ/OQ/PQ activities and develop procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 6+ years of GMP Utilities experience in pharma or regulated manufacturing.
• Strong GMP utilities and HVAC knowledge in pharma environments.
• Experience with IQ/OQ/PQ validation activities.
• Experience with root cause analysis and CAPA actions.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs and process parameters.
• Good cross-functional communication and teamwork.
• Familiarity with regulated manufacturing environments.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical SME for GMP Utilities, HVAC, and related systems.
• Lead construction, commissioning, qualification and start-up activities.
• Develop and review URs, specifications, test cases and qualification docs.
• Monitor performance, establish KPIs, and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead RCA investigations and support risk assessments (FMEA).
• Support inspections, audits, and regulatory activities.
• Create operating and maintenance procedures for utility systems.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Quality, HSE.

Skills

GMP Utilities

HVAC

IQ/OQ/PQ

Root Cause Analysis

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Job description

Engineer II - Utilities & HVAC | GMP Pharmaceutical Manufacturing | New Facility Start-Up

Location: Petersburg, VA

Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Employment Type: Full-Time

Make an Impact on a New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility

We are seeking an experienced Engineer II - Utilities & HVAC to join our team in Petersburg, VA. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key technical role in the final phase of construction, commissioning, and start-up of a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility , and then transition into supporting the site's ongoing operations.

In this role, you will serve as the Site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for critical GMP utility and HVAC systems, including Water for Injection (WFI), Clean Steam, Process Compressed Air, Nitrogen, GMP HVAC, and related ancillary systems .

You will be responsible for ensuring these critical systems are reliable, compliant, safe, efficient, and fit for use in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. You will also have the opportunity to influence capital projects, lead continuous improvement initiatives, troubleshoot complex system issues, and partner closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Quality, HSE, and other cross-functional teams.

What You'll Do

• Serve as the technical SME for GMP Utilities, HVAC, and associated ancillary systems supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Provide technical expertise related to system applications, process parameters, flow diagrams, equipment performance, and industry best practices.

• Support the final stages of construction, commissioning, qualification, and start-up of the new manufacturing facility.

• Lead or participate in projects and system changes, including design activities, verification and qualification activities such as IQ/OQ/PQ , and capital project execution.

• Develop and review technical documentation, including User Requirements (URs), specifications, test cases, procedures, and qualification documentation .

• Ensure systems remain in a validated, controlled, compliant, and fit-for-use state.

• Monitor utility and HVAC performance and establish and maintain KPIs to ensure reliability, compliance, and effective operation.

• Develop operating and maintenance procedures to ensure systems remain within established control parameters.

• Implement maintenance, reliability, and continuous improvement strategies that improve system performance and efficiency.

• Lead troubleshooting and equipment failure investigations, including Root Cause Analysis (RCA) , and guide Operations and Maintenance teams in resolving complex technical issues.

• Support risk assessments using tools such as FMEA and participate in Process Hazard Reviews and safety teams as needed.

• Provide technical consultation and support to Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and other site stakeholders.

• Ensure utility-related issues are appropriately documented, tracked, communicated, and resolved within required timelines.

• Support internal and external inspections, audits, investigations, and regulatory activities, including Quality and HSE inspections.

• Develop, maintain, and deliver training related to utility and HVAC systems.

• Utilize statistical analysis and process capability tools to support investigations and process control.

• Maintain proficiency with Document Management Systems (DMS), CAPA systems , and other applicable site systems.

• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and local capital investment to enhance reliability, efficiency, compliance, and overall site performance.

What We're Looking For

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline .

• 6+ years of experience working with GMP Utilities in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated manufacturing environment.

• Strong technical knowledge of GMP utility systems and HVAC within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

• Experience with equipment/system qualification and validation activities, including IQ/OQ/PQ .

• Experience with troubleshooting, investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.

• Ability to interpret P&IDs, flow diagrams, system specifications, and process parameters .

• Strong understanding of GMP, regulatory expectations, and controlled manufacturing environments.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, HSE, and other cross-functional teams.

• Ability to work independently while also effectively influencing and partnering within a matrixed organization.

Preferred

• Experience supporting a new facility start-up, commissioning, or technology transfer .

• Advanced degree or relevant professional certification.

• Experience with continuous improvement, reliability engineering, or capital project execution.

• Experience with statistical analysis and process capability tools.

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

This is more than a day-to-day utilities engineering position. You will have the opportunity to help bring a brand-new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility online , establish reliable and compliant utility systems, and then become a key technical resource for the site's ongoing operations.

The person in this role will have visibility across the organization and will work closely with a broad range of technical and operational teams. If you enjoy solving complex problems, working on critical systems, and having a direct impact on the reliability and success of a manufacturing site, this could be an excellent opportunity.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who can think both strategically and tactically —someone who can step back and understand the bigger picture while also being comfortable diving into technical details when a system or process needs attention.

The successful candidate will be:

• Technically strong and solutions-oriented

• Detail-oriented without losing sight of the big picture

• Comfortable taking ownership and making decisions

• A strong problem solver and investigator

• Collaborative and able to influence across functions

• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently

• Adaptable in a fast-paced, start-up environment

• Positive, professional, and committed to achieving team and site goals

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

This position requires regular communication and use of hands and fingers to operate equipment, tools, and controls. The role may occasionally require standing, walking, sitting, reaching, and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds .

Because this position supports a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment, the successful candidate must be able to successfully complete aseptic gowning requirements, procedures, and certification .

The work environment is generally low to moderate in noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

Why Kelly Engineering

Your engineering skills are in demand, but how do you find the right fit? Easy. At Kelly Engineering, our team creates expert talent solutions to solve the world’s most critical challenges. We connect you with leading organizations where you can collaborate on innovative projects, work with cutting-edge technologies and accelerate your growth. Whether you prefer the variety and flexibility of short-term projects or are looking for a long‑term opportunity, we’re here to guide you to the next step of your engineering career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en).

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.