Senior Refrigeration Systems Engineer – Regional Lead

US Foods; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pretax spending accounts

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Short-term disability

Long-term disability

Employee stock purchase plan

Life insurance

Job summary

US Foods is seeking a Senior Refrigeration Systems Engineer to lead design, optimization, and lifecycle management of facility refrigeration and related systems across multiple sites. The role provides technical leadership in automation, controls, and electrical/mechanical systems to improve reliability and efficiency.

You will collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, IT, EHS, and external vendors to drive system improvements, monitor performance, and implement capital projects

Qualifications

• 5+ years of industrial refrigeration or cold chain engineering experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in ammonia and Freon refrigeration systems, HVAC/mechanical systems, troubleshooting, and preventive maintenance programs.
• Experience managing multi-site operations and technical teams.
• Knowledge of OSHA, EPA, PSM, IIAR, energy efficiency and automation.
• Experience with CMMS systems, maintenance planning, and capital project execution.
• This role requires approximately >40% travel during the initial years, with the potential for reduced travel as the function matures and stabilizes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, optimization, and lifecycle management of facility and operational systems to ensure reliability, efficiency, and business continuity.
• Provide advanced technical expertise and support for infrastructure, automation, controls, mechanical, electrical, and integrated operational systems.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, IT, EHS, and external vendors to identify and execute system improvements and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor system performance, analyze trends, and develop solutions to improve uptime, reliability, capacity, and operational efficiency.
• Lead root cause analysis efforts for system failures or operational disruptions and implement sustainable corrective and preventive actions.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, technical documentation, operating procedures, and system specifications to support consistency and compliance across facilities.
• Support capital projects, equipment installations, facility upgrades, and expansion initiatives from concept through implementation and startup.
• Evaluate existing systems and recommend modernization strategies, process improvements, and emerging technologies to support operational goals.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, regulatory, and company standards related to system design, operation, and maintenance.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop long-range infrastructure and equipment replacement strategies, including budgeting and capital planning support.
• Serve as a technical resource and mentor to engineering, maintenance, and operational teams by providing guidance, training, and troubleshooting support.
• Coordinate and manage external contractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure quality execution, project alignment, and cost effectiveness.
• First line escalation support 24/7 between field site in region and HQ leadership teams.
• Support project prioritization, budgeting, vendor selection, commissioning, and operational handoff activities.
• Evaluate emerging refrigeration technologies, sustainability initiatives, and energy reduction opportunities.

Skills

Industrial refrigeration

Ammonia & Freon systems

HVAC/Mechanical systems

Root cause analysis

Cross-site leadership

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field

RETA CIRO Certification or PE license

Tools

CMMS

PLC/SCADA

BMS

Job description

US Foods is seeking a Senior Refrigeration Systems Engineer to lead design, optimization, and lifecycle management of facility refrigeration and related systems across multiple sites. The role provides technical leadership in automation, controls, and electrical/mechanical systems to improve reliability and efficiency.

You will collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, IT, EHS, and external vendors to drive system improvements, monitor performance, and implement capital projects