Utility Engineer

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc.; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible health plans

401(k) matching

Generous PTO policy

Relocation package available

Immigration sponsorships

Job summary

Applied Optoelectronics, Inc. is looking for a Utility Engineer to manage plant-wide utility systems in Sugar Land, Texas. This role involves overseeing chillers, boilers, and water supply systems, ensuring stable operations, and optimizing energy consumption.

The ideal candidate should hold a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Facilities Engineering and have at least 2 years of relevant experience. The position requires profound knowledge of HVAC systems, and candidates should be familiar with semiconductor manufacturing environments and utility operations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 2 years relevant experience in industrial utility or semiconductor factory.
• Capable of troubleshooting utility system failures independently.
• Familiar with BAS, PLC and facility monitoring systems.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate new project technical activities and system commissioning.
• Manage all plant-wide utility infrastructure.
• Compile standard operating procedures and energy plans.

Skills

Troubleshooting utility system failures

Knowledge of chillers and boilers

Energy optimization schemes

Familiar with DI water and CDA

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Facilities Engineering

Tools

BAS

PLC

Job description

Utility Engineer

Utility Engineer will conduct full-process technical management of plant-wide process utility systems covering chillers, boilers, pure water, compressed air, vacuum and cooling water supply systems. Support new fab construction, stable equipment operation, energy consumption control and production capacity expansion.

Job Duties

• New project technical coordination: Take charge of scheme review, construction coordination, on-site construction supervision, system commissioning & acceptance, asset handover and closed-loop rectification of pending issues for all utility systems of new cleanrooms.
• Technical management of utility systems: Manage all plant-wide utility infrastructure, including chillers, boilers, DI water systems, Clean Dry Air (CDA), vacuum systems, Process Cooling Water (PCW), circulating water and factory water supply & drainage systems.
• Operation and energy consumption control: Compile standard operating procedures, graded preventive maintenance plans and energy optimization schemes for all utility equipment. Continuously monitor the load, medium pressure, flow rate and energy consumption indicators of core equipment such as chillers, boilers, water pumps and air compressors to ensure uninterrupted and stable supply of process utilities.
• Fault handling & technical upgrading: Lead root cause analysis on shutdown failures of chillers, boilers, water and air utility systems, hidden danger investigation and rectification. Take charge of capital renovation projects including utility system capacity expansion, pipeline reconstruction, chiller and boiler replacement & upgrading.
• Technical guidance for operation teams: Provide comprehensive technical support to workshop utility maintenance teams, standardize inspection and maintenance workflows for chillers, boilers, pure water and air compression equipment. Reduce production shutdown risks caused by water shortage, air cut-off, abnormal water temperature or insufficient steam supply through technical control measures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Facilities Engineering.
• Minimum 2 years relevant experience in industrial utility, semiconductor factory or high-tech manufacturing facility.
• Profound knowledge of chillers, boilers, water treatment units, compressors, vacuum pumps, heat exchangers and industrial piping systems.
• Capable of troubleshooting utility system failures and supporting facility capital projects independently.
• Working experience in semiconductor wafer fab utility department.
• Familiar with DI water, CDA, vacuum, PCW and central boiler/chiller station operation logic.
• Basic operation knowledge of BAS, PLC and facility real-time monitoring systems.

Additional Requirements

Rich experience in equipment commissioning, utility system performance validation and energy-saving transformation projects.

• Respond to off-hour emergency calls.
• Available to work overtime or weekend when necessary.
• Cover 24/7 continuous production; available for overtime, weekend duty and emergency call-out for chiller, boiler, water & gas system breakdowns.
• Daily work in mechanical utility rooms, boiler houses, chiller plants, pump rooms and cleanroom production areas.
• Wear designated PPE (safety shoes, goggles, gloves) when inspecting rotating, high-temperature and pressure-bearing equipment.
• Strictly abide by EHS operation specifications for high-temperature, pressure and fluid medium equipment.

Location

This position will be on-site based in Sugar Land, Texas.

Benefits

In addition to competitive salary, AOI offers

Flexible and competitive health (medical, dental, vision) plans offer the employee with the right options to meet individual and family needs.

Employer matching on 401(k) deferrals.

Generous PTO policy, with unused PTO payout at end of the year.

Relocation package available within US.

Immigration sponsorships (Must be currently authorized to work in the US).