Director - Engineering, Refrigeration & HVAC Systems

Grocery Outlet Career•Emeryville, CA

About The Position

The Director, Engineering provides strategic and hands-on leadership for the design, selection, standardization, and performance of all store Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, and Refrigeration (MEPR) systems, including HVAC, refrigeration, building automation systems, and related equipment. This role is responsible for overseeing engineering standards and supporting the successful execution of new stores, remodels, and major maintenance projects across the portfolio. Working closely with Architecture, Construction, and Facilities teams, the Director of Engineering serves as the technical leader for core building systems, balancing operational reliability, sustainability initiatives, regulatory compliance, energy management, and long-term asset performance. This role manages a small internal engineering team as well as external engineering consultants and vendors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field preferred.
8+ years of progressive engineering experience within a multi-site retail, grocery, distribution, or commercial environment, including leadership responsibility for HVAC, refrigeration, and building automation systems.
Experience managing internal teams, external engineering consultants, and vendor relationships.
Strong working knowledge of HVAC, refrigeration, controls, building automation systems, and related MEPR infrastructure.
Familiarity with refrigerant regulations, sustainability initiatives, energy management strategies, and evolving industry standards.
Ability to read and interpret technical and non-technical documents including blueprints, specifications, contracts, operating procedures, and maintenance documentation.
Strong understanding of store equipment, commissioning processes, and operational impacts of engineering system performance.
Ability to communicate company standards and technical requirements clearly and effectively across cross-functional teams.
Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts into practical business and operational solutions.
Highly organized, detail-oriented, and strong in follow-through and execution.

Responsibilities

Align engineering strategy and standards with company objectives, operational needs, sustainability initiatives, and long-term infrastructure planning.
Lead the design and selection of HVAC, refrigeration, controls, and related MEPR systems and equipment for new and existing store projects.
Serve as the company’s in-house technical authority for refrigeration, HVAC, controls, and related building systems.
Partner with Facilities teams to support preventive maintenance strategies, equipment lifecycle planning, energy management initiatives, and refrigerant compliance programs.
Support Construction teams through commissioning, startup, and project turnover processes to ensure systems perform as intended.
Establish and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and approved equipment programs across the store portfolio.
Act as a technical resource and partner to Design Project Managers, Construction Project Managers, and Facilities Managers throughout the asset lifecycle.
Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineering specialists and project managers while managing relationships with external engineering consultants and vendors.
Develop and oversee testing and pilot programs for new MEPR technologies, equipment, and systems to improve operational performance, reliability, sustainability, and cost efficiency.
Coordinate with architects, engineers, consultants, utilities, manufacturers, and vendors to ensure alignment with company standards and project objectives.
Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support the development and optimization of refrigeration fixtures and related store equipment.
Stay current on emerging technologies, refrigerant regulations, energy efficiency programs, and industry best practices.