Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer

Keystone Distinction Group; Newport News (VA); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group in Newport News, Virginia, seeks a Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer to optimize industrial refrigeration, boiler, and compressed air systems across our facilities. You will design, develop, operate, and improve utility infrastructure to support food manufacturing processes, ensuring safety, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires 5+ years in ammonia refrigeration operations, relevant certifications, and strong analytical skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with 5+ years of ammonia refrigeration operations experience.
• RETA CIRO / IIAR2 or equivalent ammonia training certification required.
• Strong reading, math, writing and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop Capital Infrastructure Plans with facilities and project engineering.
• Engage refrigeration engineering resources during project design and development.
• Assist in compliance-related issues with PS M Management Team.
• Assist in equipment selection, quotes, and scheduling of work.
• Develop and implement solutions for facility refrigeration system issues.
• Implement new systems and standardize equipment requirements.
• Support budgeting for utilities engineering improvement projects and meet timelines.
• Optimize utility systems based on operating requirements.
• Research new technology and perform testing as needed.
• Understand complex operations to support Operations management.
• Identify and correct deficiencies via load, charge, and relief calculations.
• Lead multiple efforts while adhering to protocols and safety.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Analytical skills

Electrical troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field

RETA CIRO / IIAR2 certification or equivalent

Job description

Job Title: Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer

Location: Newport News, Virginia

Salary: $95K -117K plus bonus

Job Summary of the Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer: As a Sr. Utilities Reliability Engineer, you will play a crucial role in optimizing and managing utility systems across our facilities. Your focus will be on industrial refrigeration, boiler, and compressed air systems—ensuring their design, development, operation, and optimization. You’ll have the opportunity to troubleshoot and improve existing systems, implement new projects, and provide valuable guidance on regulatory matters. This is your chance to make a direct impact on the success of our manufacturing processes, ensuring that our systems are efficient, safe, and compliant, all while helping us deliver top-quality food products.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer:

• Work directly with facilities teams and project engineering on developing Capital Infrastructure Plans.
• Engage professional refrigeration engineering resources during the design and development of projects.
• Assist facilities and PSM Management Team in compliance-related issues as requested.
• Assist in developing designs, including selecting equipment, obtaining quotes, and scheduling work as requested.
• Develop and assist in the implementation of resolutions to issues related to facility refrigeration systems.
• Implement new systems and standardize equipment requirements.
• Assist with the planning and budgeting process for various utilities engineering improvement projects, with the goal of meeting project expectations and time requirements.
• Optimize utility systems based on facility operating requirements.
• Research and assist in testing new technology.
• Assess and understand complex operations and systems to support Operations management.
• Identify and correct deficiencies within existing systems by performing load, charge, and relief calculations.
• Lead multiple efforts in different fields, ensuring adherence to proper protocols and practices.

Education & Experience Requirements of the Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or related field and 5+ years of related experience in operations, maintenance and optimization of Ammonia Refrigeration systems, or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• RETA CIRO (Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator) certification, International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration. ANSI/IIAR2 certification, Garden City Program Operator II certification, or equivalent certification from another nationally recognized ammonia training program; required.
• Possess a deep theoretical understanding of industrial refrigeration systems and can apply that knowledge to the roles and responsibilities of the position.
• Strong reading, math, writing, analytical skill required.
• Perform assigned tasks efficiently with minimum supervision.
• Ok with travel to other locations. (50% of the time).
• Electrical experience and troubleshooting in low and high voltage circuits, motors, and controls a plus.
• Waste water operations experience is preferred.
• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.