Utility Engineer III

Novartis; Durham (CA); On-site; USD 99,000 - 183,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis in Durham, NC seeks a Utility Engineer III to ensure facility utility, HVAC, and electrical systems run safely and reliably in a highly regulated manufacturing campus. The role offers hands-on ownership of complex assets and interaction with cross-functional teams.

You will drive changes, develop procedures, and support regulatory inspections, with focus on compliance, reliability, and continuous improvement, contributing to life-changing medicines.

Qualifications

• BS in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Associate degree or certification with at least 7 years in engineering or skilled tech in regulated industries.
• 9+ years' experience in engineering, maintenance, or automation in regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage site utility, electrical, and HVAC systems for reliable manufacturing.
• Provide hands-on oversight for installation, maintenance, and repair of facilities assets.
• Lead changes to maintain validated system states.
• Create, review, and approve procedures, maintenance plans, drawings, specs.
• Analyze complex equipment issues and deliver robust engineering solutions.
• Support regulatory inspections and audits with corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with GMP, CFR, and internal quality standards.
• Oversee external vendors and service providers for timely work.
• Drive continuous improvement to enhance reliability and efficiency.
• Monitor equipment performance and implement maintenance strategies.

Skills

Utility systems

HVAC systems

Electrical systems

Root cause analysis

Project management

Technical writing

Troubleshooting

Education

BS in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Eng

Associate degree with 7+ years

Equivalent work experience in regulated industries

Tools

Building Management System (BMS)

Industrial PLC

Electrical testing tools

Job description

Job Description Summary

You will play a critical role in keeping our manufacturing campus running safely, reliably, and ready for what’s next. As a Utility Engineer III, your expertise ensures that vital utility, HVAC, and electrical systems perform at their best—supporting the delivery of life-changing medicines to patients around the world. This is an opportunity to take true ownership of complex systems, influence long-term site strategy, and work hands-on with cross-functional partners to drive innovation, compliance, and operational excellence in a highly regulated environment.

Job Description

Location:

• This position will be located in Durham, NC and will be an onsite role.
• Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible to you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own and manage site utility, electrical, and HVAC systems to ensure reliable, compliant manufacturing operations
• Provide hands‑on engineering oversight for installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of critical facility assets
• Lead and control changes to utility and facility equipment to maintain validated and qualified system states
• Create, review, and approve operational procedures, maintenance plans, drawings, and technical specifications
• Analyze complex equipment issues and deliver robust engineering solutions that minimize risk and downtime
• Support regulatory inspections and internal audits, responding to observations with effective corrective actions
• Ensure ongoing compliance with good manufacturing practices, Code of Federal Regulations, and internal quality standards
• Oversee external vendors and service providers to ensure safe, high-quality, and timely execution of work
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reliability, efficiency, and operational excellence across utilities
• Monitor equipment performance and implement maintenance and reliability strategies aligned with site and global standards

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering with at least five years relevant experience, OR Associate degree, diploma, or certification in an engineering or skilled technical field with at least seven years relevant experience, OR equivalent work experience of nine or more years supporting engineering, maintenance, or automation systems in regulated industries
• Demonstrated experience supporting utility, HVAC, electrical, or facility systems within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or similar regulated environments
• Proven ability to own, maintain, and improve equipment and systems in a validated state
• Strong technical writing skills with experience creating, reviewing, and approving regulated documentation
• Applied knowledge of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving to resolve complex technical issues
• Hands‑on experience with equipment troubleshooting, building management systems, and industrial programmable logic controllers
• Solid project management capabilities with experience leading projects from initiation through completion
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across technical and cross‑functional teams

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary:

The salary for this position is expected to range between $98,700 and $183,000 annually

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance‑based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US‑based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

Salary Range

$98,700.00 - $183,300.00

Skills Desired

Business Continuity, Cost Management, Operational Excellence, Quality Compliance

EEO Statement:

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.