Mechanical Engineer, Refrigeration (Remote)

US Foods; Alcoa (TN); Remote; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive plan

Health insurance

401(k) program

Paid time off

Job summary

US Foods is seeking a Mechanical Engineer - Refrigeration for fully remote work with travel to support refrigeration systems across the enterprise. The role focuses on ammonia, CO2, and Freon systems with emphasis on safety, reliability, and energy efficiency.

You will develop standards, support capital projects, and coordinate with operations, facilities, and EHS to ensure regulatory compliance and optimal performance. A PE license is preferred.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of experience in industrial refrigeration with NH3 systems.
• Strong knowledge of PSM and RMP compliance.
• Experience supporting capital projects including upgrades and retrofits.
• Proficient in interpreting P&IDs and engineering documentation.
• Familiarity with OSHA PSM and EPA RMP requirements.

Responsibilities

• Design, review, and support industrial refrigeration systems using ammonia, CO2, and Freon.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, specs, and system documentation.
• Evaluate performance and recommend safety, reliability, and energy improvements.
• Provide technical support for troubleshooting and root cause analysis of issues.
• Collaborate with Design and Construction to set design standards.

Skills

Industrial refrigeration

PSM knowledge

Root cause analysis

Energy optimization

Project execution

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

P&ID interpretation

Job description

Fully Remote

New York Virtual Location

Tennessee Virtual Location

Oklahoma Virtual Location

Colorado Virtual Location

Missouri Virtual Location

Arizona Virtual Location

South Dakota Virtual Location

Pennsylvania Virtual Location

Washington Virtual Location

Oregon Virtual Location

Illinois Virtual Location

Wisconsin Virtual Location

Texas Virtual Location

Kentucky Virtual Location

Full time

Join Our Community of Food People!

The Mechanical Engineer - Refrigeration is responsible for the design, analysis, optimization, and technical support of industrial refrigeration systems across the enterprise. This role provides subject‑matter expertise for ammonia (NH₃), Co2 and Freon‑based systems, ensuring safe operation, regulatory compliance, reliability, and energy efficiency in support of operational and business objectives.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Refrigeration System Engineering

• Design, review, and support industrial refrigeration systems utilizing ammonia, C02 and Freon refrigerants, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels, piping, and controls.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and system documentation.
• Evaluate system performance and recommend improvements to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Provide technical support for troubleshooting and root cause analysis of refrigeration system issues.
• Core partner of Design and Construction team to set design standards for company.

Process Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Support Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Plan (RMP) requirements for ammonia systems.
• Participate in PHAs, MOCs, mechanical integrity programs, and compliance audits.
• Ensure designs and system modifications comply with OSHA, EPA, IIAR, ASHRAE, and applicable codes and standards.
• Support incident investigations and development of corrective actions.

Capital Projects & Modifications

• Provide engineering support for refrigeration‑related capital projects, expansions, and retrofits.
• Review contractor and consultant designs for compliance with engineering standards and project requirements.
• Support commissioning, startup, and system acceptance activities.
• Provide technical input on equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and scope development.

Operations & Maintenance Support

• Partner with Facilities and Maintenance teams to develop maintenance strategies, SOPs, and operating procedures.
• Provide field engineering support during major outages, repairs, and emergency events.
• Assist with contractor oversight and ensure technical work is executed safely and correctly.

Asset Reliability & Energy Optimization

• Analyze system performance data to identify reliability risks, capacity constraints, and energy optimization opportunities.
• Support lifecycle asset planning, condition assessments, and replacement recommendations.
• Identify opportunities for system modernization and automation.

Documentation & Knowledge Management

• Maintain accurate P&IDs, equipment files, calculations, and technical documentation.
• Ensure documentation supports PSM compliance, audits, and operational readiness.
• Contribute to enterprise knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned by manager.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal Relationships: This role partners closely with Operations, Facilities, Maintenance, EHS, Asset Management, and Capital Engineering teams to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant refrigeration system performance. The Mechanical Engineer works collaboratively with site leadership and field engineering resources to support daily operations, capital execution, and continuous improvement initiatives across the network.
• External Relationships: Interfaces with external engineering firms, refrigeration contractors, OEMs, and equipment suppliers to support system design, modifications, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities. The role may also be engaged with regulatory agencies, auditors, and PSM consultants as needed to support compliance efforts, inspections, and technical reviews.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Travel to multiple distribution centers as needed.
• Combination of office, warehouse, and field environments, including refrigerated and frozen areas.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 years of experience in industrial refrigeration, with hands‑on experience with ammonia (NH₃) refrigeration systems and working knowledge of Freon‑based systems.
• Expertise in industrial ammonia and Freon refrigeration engineering, including refrigeration thermodynamics and mechanical system design.
• Strong knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Program (RMP) compliance requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in system troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and operational problem‑solving within industrial refrigeration environments.
• Experience supporting capital projects, including system upgrades, expansions, commissioning, and equipment optimization initiatives.
• Proficient in interpreting and developing P&IDs, technical specifications, and engineering documentation.
• Strong understanding of asset reliability, preventative maintenance strategies, and energy optimization practices.
• Familiarity with OSHA PSM and EPA RMP requirements.
• Ability to travel to operating sites as needed.
• This role requires approximately >25% travel during the initial years, with the potential for reduced travel as the function matures and stabilizes.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline

LICENSES

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Working knowledge of applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements, including IIAR and ASHRAE guidelines.
• EPA Section 608 Certification
• Experience in food distribution, cold storage, manufacturing, or logistics environments.
• Experience supporting multi‑site operations.
• Experience with AutoCAD verification and updating.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Standard required physical activities including length of time performing each activity.

This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus.

Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre‑tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short‑term and long‑term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance.

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between

$110,000 - $170,000

EOE– Race/Color/Religion/Sex/SexualOrientation/Gender Identity/National Origin, Age/Genetic Information, Protected Veteran/Disability Status.

US Foods, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Know Your Rights (https://www.usfoods.com/content/dam/usf/pdf/Policies/HR/Know_Your_Rights.pdf)

Pay Transparency policy statement is available here (https://www.usfoods.com/content/dam/usf/pdf/Policies/HR/Pay_Transparency_Nondiscrimination_Provision.pdf)

US Foods is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process or to perform essential job functions, please contact our US Foods Application Accommodation Line at 866-960-5886. You will be prompted to leave a message. Please state the specifics of the assistance needed and your contact information. A member of our HR department will return your call within two business days.