Mechanical Engineer, Refrigeration (Remote)

US Foods; Town of Tomahawk (WI); Remote; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual incentive plan

Job summary

US Foods seeks a Mechanical Engineer specialized in refrigeration to design, analyze, and optimize ammonia, CO2, and Freon systems across distribution centers. You will develop standards, review installations, and support capital projects.

The role requires strong PSM/RMP knowledge, hands-on troubleshooting, and travel to sites. A PE or EIT and AutoCAD skills are preferred, with remote work possible from within the United States.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in industrial refrigeration with NH3 systems.
• PE or EIT preferred; strong knowledge of PSM/RMP.
• Ability to travel >25% to sites as needed.

Responsibilities

• Design, review, and support ammonia, CO2, and Freon refrigeration systems.
• Develop engineering standards, specs, and system documentation.
• Support capital projects, commissioning, and system upgrades.
• Provide field engineering support during outages and incidents.

Skills

NH3 refrigeration

CO2 & Freon systems

PSM & RMP compliance

Troubleshooting

Capital projects support

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering

PE license or EIT

Tools

AutoCAD

P&IDs interpretation

Job description

ARE YOU A CURRENT US FOODS EMPLOYEE? PLEASE APPLY DIRECTLY THROUGH OUR INTERNAL WORKDAY CAREER SITEJoin 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.This position is virtual/remote which means the work can be completed from anywhere is the United States except Hawaii or United States Territories.RESPONSIBILITIESRefrigeration System EngineeringDesign, 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 ComplianceSupport 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 & ModificationsProvide 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 SupportPartner 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 OptimizationAnalyze 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 ManagementMaintain 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.RELATIONSHIPSInternal 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 ENVIRONMENTTravel to multiple distribution centers as needed.Combination of office, warehouse, and field environments, including refrigerated and frozen areas.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS5 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.EDUCATIONBachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related disciplineLICENSESProfessional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT)PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSWorking knowledge of applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements, including IIAR and ASHRAE guidelines.EPA Section 608 CertificationExperience in food distribution, cold storage, manufacturing, or logistics environments.Experience supporting multi-site operations.Experience with AutoCAD verification and updating.PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONSStandard 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. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.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/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***