Plant Engineer

Airgas; Merritt Island (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid holidays & vacation

Tuition assistance

Airgas Scholarship Program

Job summary

Airgas is hiring a Plant Engineer for our Merritt Island facility in Florida. You will lead safety-focused maintenance, coordinate with contractors, and ensure compliance with FDA and cGMP standards while maintaining critical equipment and documentation.

Responsibilities include managing PM schedules, CMMS work orders, and risk assessments during startups and outages. The role requires a bachelor’s in engineering and at least five years in industrial operations, with on-call readiness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering is required.
• Minimum five years of related industrial operations experience.
• Willingness to be on-call for critical plant emergencies, including holidays and weekends.
• Strong understanding of plant safety rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Experience with Hazardous Work Permits, energy control (LOTO) and safety compliance.

Responsibilities

• Promote a safety culture and participate in safety inspections.
• Ensure compliance with Food Safety, FDA, and cGMP policies across operations and documentation.
• Guide on-site contractors and ensure adherence to LWIs and required qualifications.
• Report equipment needs, unsafe conditions, and hazards to Plant Manager; document findings.
• Conduct Acceptance Pre-Start-up Safety Reviews (PSSRs) with operations and zone engineers.
• Apply risk awareness during startups, shutdowns, and abnormal conditions; coordinate MOC awareness.
• Maintain site-specific LWIs, P&IDs, PFDs, and critical technical documentation.
• Schedule and coordinate maintenance for ASU Launch Support System, KSC pipeline equipment, pumps, valves, and analytical devices; implement PM schedules.
• Create detailed work orders in CMMS and identify future maintenance needs.
• Coordinate with Field Service Support to ensure cost-effective repairs.
• Maintain plant HVAC and coordinate facility upkeep and audits.
• Participate in RCA and support RCM efforts; utilize condition monitoring data.
• Use digital tools to improve PM quality and knowledge transfer.

Skills

Safety awareness

Regulatory compliance

Maintenance planning

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelors in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS

SAP

LWI procedures

Job description

R10085665 Plant Engineer (Open)

Location:

Merritt Island, FL - ASU

How will you CONTRIBUTE and GROW?

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that embraces the unique perspectives of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders, and cultures across the world. We believe that a variety of backgrounds makes our team stronger and more innovative.

At Airgas, we RESPECT, HONOR and VALUE diversity.

Airgas is Hiring for a Plant Engineer in Merritt Island, FL!

Job Duties:

Nurtures a shared safety commitment among all team members by promoting a safety-conscious culture and consistently demonstrating excellent safety practices in all facets of work. Engages actively in facility safety meetings and contributes to the thoroughness of routine safety inspections.

Provides dedicated alignment with all Food Safety, FDA, and cGMP policies across all operating practices and documentation protocols.

Guides and supports on-site contractors, vendors, guests, or visitors throughout the facility as requisite, ensuring their consistent care for all national and site-specific safety policies and procedures. Monitors all Hazardous Work Permits (HWP) for on-site contractors, verifying that partners conform to Airgas Local Work Instructions (LWIs) and possess the necessary qualifications to execute the work.

Reports equipment needs, unsafe conditions, and potential environmental hazards to the Plant Manager immediately and documents all findings in a timely and comprehensive manner.

Conducts and meticulously documents Acceptance Pre-Start-up Safety Reviews (PSSRs) in close partnership with operations personnel and zone engineers to ensure the safety and readiness of new or modified equipment.

Applies heightened risk awareness during non-routine operations (startups, shutdowns, abnormal conditions), including oxygen cleanliness, cryogenic hazards, and contamination prevention. Recognizes when maintenance activities introduce process risk and coordinates appropriately, including Management of Change (MOC) awareness.

Studies, maintains, and develops a deep understanding of all site-specific Local Work Instructions (LWIs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), and all other critical technical documentation pertinent to operational and equipment processes. Gains and sustains high proficiency in all plant operations, including process flow and complex equipment functionality.

Schedules, plans, and coordinates all routine, preventative, and corrective maintenance activities for critical Air Separation Unit (ASU) Launch Support System (LSS), Kennedy Space Center pipeline (KSC) equipment, pumps, compressors, valves, analytical equipment, and other plant assets. Helps implement and sustain comprehensive Preventative Maintenance (PM) schedules for all Process Critical Equipment (PCE) within the plant.

Generates detailed and accurate work orders within the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS), ensuring the completeness, clarity, and accuracy of all information pertaining to the maintenance requirement. Identifies potential future maintenance requirements and accurately enters them into the SAP system.

Determines the necessity of immediate maintenance action, accurately documents the requirement, and promptly reports the status and urgency to the appropriate supervisory and national maintenance personnel. Partners with Field Service Support (FSS) to ensure all repair and maintenance solutions are cost-effective and executed with efficiency.

Maintains the plant HVAC system, executing necessary repairs or effectively coordinating external repair services as required. Schedules and coordinates cosmetic maintenance of the entire facility, including, but not limited to, groundskeeping and minor building repairs. Provides assistance with required medical maintenance reports and preparations for facility audits.

Participates in Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and failure investigations, contributing technical insight and historical knowledge. Supports Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) efforts by identifying improvement areas, PM effectiveness gaps, and repeat failures. Demonstrates awareness of condition-based monitoring tools (vibration, oil analysis, thermography) and incorporates findings into maintenance execution.

Uses CMMS data to identify trends, repeat failures, and improvement opportunities. Provides structured feedback to improve PM quality and job plans. Utilizes digital tools (photos, measurements, mobile CMMS) to improve work quality and knowledge transfer.

Communication, Documentation, and Teamwork: Fosters open and supportive communication among all facility technicians and shift teams regarding best practices, critical operational/facility requirements, safety issues/concerns, and the dissemination of valuable operational knowledge and expertise.

Partners closely with the Lead Operator/Quality Technician (LOQT) or the Plant Manager regarding daily facility operational and maintenance necessities. Communicates complex repair functions and planned outages effectively with plant management.

Works directly with Maintenance team members on daily activities, providing guidance and technical support, and effectively building alignment related to team job assignments and priorities.

Maintains accurate and complete records for all activities and demonstrates unwavering care in adhering to corporate documentation and record retention policies/procedures. Specifically, maintains facility maintenance records in a clear, organized, and timely fashion.

Maintains the work area in a consistently neat, clean, and orderly condition. Ensures all tools and equipment are secured properly when not in use.

Serves as a technical mentor and role model for junior technicians and operators. Acts as a technical bridge between Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering during outages and abnormal situations. Advocates for safer or more effective practices respectfully and constructively.

Professional Development and Administration: We encourage you to pursue personal growth and continuous career development through self-initiative, utilizing available training resources as coordinated and approved by the supervisor.

Adheres strictly to policies and procedures for proper notification regarding the scheduling of vacation time, floating holidays, and personal days off.

Are you a MATCH?

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering
• A minimum of five (5) years of directly related industrial operations experience, preferably within a cryogenic air separation, chemical processing, or similar heavy industrial environment, is requisite.
• Must possess the capacity and willingness to be on-call for critical plant emergencies, including requirements for coverage during holidays and weekends.
• Possesses a comprehensive understanding of and commitment to plant safety rules, governmental regulations, and company safety policies/procedures.
• Must execute all work activities in strict compliance with current standard operating/maintenance procedures, utilizing advanced Life Safety skills, Move Smart techniques, and all safety requirements including the preparation and use of Hazardous Work Permits, energy control isolation (lockout/tagout/try-out), Identification Devices/Lines (IDLs), confined space entry work, hot work permits, detailed work plans, pre-job discussions, and participation in plant safety inspections.
• Demonstrates a fundamental understanding of governmental regulations including Food Safety, FDA, Current Good Manufacturing Practices, environmental permitting/compliance, loading/quality assurance procedures, basic principles of electricity, national/local operating procedures, CMMS system functionality, maintenance management processes, assists in Audits (internal and external) and all specific HSE issues associated with the facility.
• Candidates must have valid employment authorization in the U.S. and must not require visa sponsorship now or in the future. This position is not open for non-immigrant visa sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ability to plan, schedule, organize, prioritize, and coordinate project activities.
• Ability to understand and work within a regulated environment.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at one time.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Family Benefits: Airgas offers a full benefits package designed to support your whole life, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, and Disability Insurance.
• Support for Parents: We offer up to 14-week paid child birth benefits to support growing families.
• Future Security: 401(k) Retirement Plan with company match, Tuition Assistance, Paid Holidays, Vacation, and Sick time.
• Early Access: Your benefits start after just 30 days of employment.
• We care about and support our Airgas Families. This is evident not only through our competitive compensation but also through a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision plans, short-term and long-term disability, life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), pre-tax commuter transportation benefit, parental leave, vacation, sick time, floating holidays, jury duty and funeral/bereavement leave, and paid holidays for all eligible full-time employees.
• Additionally, we offer our eligible employees a 401k plan with company matching funds, tuition reimbursement, discounted college tuition for eligible employees’ dependents, and an Airgas Scholarship Program for dependent children.
• Associates who are members of collective bargaining units should review their bargaining agreement to determine whether they are eligible for some or all of the benefits described here and to see any special terms or conditions for eligibility.

Your DIFFERENCES enhance our PERFORMANCE

At Airgas, we are committed to building a workplace that embraces the diversity of our employees, our customers, patients, community stakeholders and cultures across the world.

We welcome and consider applications from all qualified applicants, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or any other protected characteristic. We strongly believe a diverse organization opens up opportunities for people to express their talent, both individually and collectively and it helps foster our ability to innovate by living our fundamentals, acting for our success and creating an engaging environment in a changing world.

About Airgas

Airgas, an Air Liquide company, is a leading U.S. supplier of industrial, medical and specialty gases, as well as hardgoods and related products; one of the largest U.S. suppliers of safety products; and a leading U.S. supplier of ammonia products and process chemicals. Through the passion and diversity of its 18,000 associates, Airgas fosters a culture of safety, customer success, sustainability and innovation. Airgas associates are empowered to share ideas, take initiative and make decisions.

Airgas is a subsidiary of Air Liquide, a world leader in gases, technologies and services for industry and healthcare. Present in 60 countries with approximately 66,500 employees, Air Liquide serves more than 4 million customers and patients.

Join us for a stimulating experience: At Airgas, you matter and so does the work you do. As a member of our team, you play an important role in the success of your team, making sure our products are created sustainably and delivered safely and efficiently. In turn, you’ll find a welcoming workplace where you’re valued for who you are and where you can fill your potential while growing a fulfilling career - whatever path you choose.

Equal Employment Opportunity Information

We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Airgas, an Air Liquide Company is a Government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 and Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Airgas does not discriminate against qualified applicants with disabilities, and is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to the known disabilities of such individuals so as to ensure equal access to benefits and privileges of employment. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation as part of the employment selection process, please contact us by email at [e-mail].

California Privacy Notice