Utilities Systems Engineer

Technical Engineering Consulting; Carolina (PR); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Technical & Engineering Consulting is seeking an experienced Utilities Systems Engineer to lead site utility projects within a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. You will focus on chillers, cooling towers, boilers, air compressors, pumps, and fuel systems, contributing to the 5-Year Recapitalization Plan and CAPEX authorizations.

The role requires evaluating asset condition, lifecycle planning, and coordinating with engineering, operations, procurement, and leadership teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting utility systems in regulated manufacturing (pharma/biotech/medical device).
• Strong working knowledge of chillers, cooling towers, boilers, air compressors, pumps, fuel systems, and utility distribution.
• Experience developing CAPEX projects, equipment replacement strategies, and reviewing vendor proposals.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (written and spoken).

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead for site utility systems including chillers, cooling towers, boilers, air compressors, pumps, and fuel systems.
• Evaluate equipment condition, reliability, maintainability, and remaining useful life; perform end-of-life assessments.
• Review and validate P&IDs, engineering drawings, and vendor documentation; update specifications as needed.
• Support 5-Year Recapitalization Plan: URS, project charters, basis of design, cost forecasts, and schedules.
• Provide technical leadership during planning, procurement, installation, startup, and commissioning; support FAT and IQ/OQ/PQ.
• Ensure cGMP compliance and FDA regulatory alignment; support risk assessments and EHS initiatives.
• Prepare executive-level updates and maintain engineering documentation in English and Spanish.

Skills

Chillers

Cooling towers

Boilers

Air compressors

Pumps

Fuel systems

P&IDs

Bilingual English/Spanish

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

Job description

Overview

Technical & Engineering Consulting is seeking an experienced Utilities Systems Engineer to support the development and execution of a multi-year utilities recapitalization strategy within a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

The selected candidate will serve as the subject matter expert (SME) for critical utility systems, including chillers, compressors, cooling towers, boilers, pumps, fuel systems, and associated infrastructure. This role will focus on evaluating existing asset conditions, identifying replacement and modernization opportunities, developing capital project scopes, and supporting the site's 5-Year Recapitalization Plan.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in utility systems with capital project development experience, equipment lifecycle management knowledge, and the ability to communicate effectively with engineering, operations, procurement, and senior leadership teams.

Key Responsibilities

Utility Systems Engineering

• Serve as the technical lead for site utility systems, including:
  • Chillers
  • Cooling towers
  • Air compressors
  • Boilers
  • Pumps
  • Fuel storage and distribution systems
  • Associated utility infrastructure
• Evaluate equipment condition, reliability, maintainability, and remaining useful life.
• Perform equipment end-of-life assessments and develop replacement strategies.
• Review and validate equipment specifications, vendor proposals, and technical documentation.
• Review, modify, and approve P&IDs and engineering drawings.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry best practices to improve system reliability, efficiency, and lifecycle cost.

Capital Planning & Recapitalization

• Support the development and execution of the site's 5-Year Recapitalization Plan.
• Develop User Requirements Specifications (URS), Project Charters, and Basis of Design documentation.
• Prepare business cases and capital investment justifications (CAPEX).
• Develop detailed project scopes of work and implementation strategies.
• Obtain vendor quotations and prepare cost estimates and budget forecasts.
• Develop project schedules, execution plans, and operational readiness strategies.
• Participate in design reviews and technical evaluations throughout project development.

Project Execution Support

• Provide technical leadership during project planning, procurement, installation, startup, and commissioning activities.
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and equipment qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Develop maintenance strategies, spare parts recommendations, and asset management plans.
• Participate actively in project meetings and provide technical guidance to project teams.
• Coordinate activities among engineering, operations, maintenance, procurement, and vendors.

Compliance & Quality

• Ensure compliance with cGMP requirements applicable to pharmaceutical utility systems.
• Support change control activities and engineering documentation updates.
• Ensure projects comply with FDA expectations and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Promote compliance with Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) requirements throughout project execution.
• Support risk assessments and reliability improvement initiatives.

Communication & Documentation

• Prepare and present technical assessments, project updates, and business cases to upper management.
• Develop professional engineering documentation in both English and Spanish.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison between engineering, procurement, contractors, vendors, and leadership teams.
• Communicate project risks, recommendations, and technical decisions clearly and effectively.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience supporting utility systems in a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, or other regulated manufacturing environment.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Chillers
  • Cooling towers
  • Boilers
  • Air compressors
  • Pumps and auxiliary utility systems
  • Utility distribution systems
  • P&IDs and engineering documentation
• Experience performing equipment condition assessments and lifecycle evaluations.
• Experience developing CAPEX projects and equipment replacement strategies.
• Experience reviewing vendor technical proposals and equipment specifications.
• Bilingual proficiency in English and Spanish (written and spoken).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting site-wide recapitalization or asset replacement programs.
• Knowledge of energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives related to utility systems.
• Experience with equipment qualification and commissioning activities.
• Familiarity with reliability engineering, asset management, and maintenance strategy development.
• Experience preparing executive-level business cases and capital investment proposals.

Desired Skills

• Strong analytical and engineering problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent technical writing and presentation skills.
• Ability to influence decision-making through data-driven recommendations.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.

Work Environment

This position will support utility systems, capital projects, and recapitalization initiatives within a regulated pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. The role requires field assessments, equipment walkdowns, vendor interactions, project meetings, and collaboration with site leadership to support long-term asset reliability and business objectives.