Mechanical Engineer Manager- Utilities Operations Lead

Pfizer • Groton, CT

1d • $99,200 - $165,400 • Onsite

About The Position

This position provides technical leadership and operational engineering oversight for the continuous delivery of critical site utility systems and services at Pfizer’s Groton, Connecticut site. The multi-building campus supports research and development operations across clinical manufacturing, regulated and non-regulated laboratories, a vivarium, technical spaces, and offices. The role ensures safe, compliant, and reliable operation of central utility infrastructure, including cogeneration, steam, chilled water, compressed air, water, industrial gases, HVAC, high-purity water, and laboratory gases.

The position partners with Utilities Operations, Maintenance, Site Leadership, and other stakeholders to improve system performance, reliability, and lifecycle management, and to support business continuity and future energy strategy. It oversees the outcomes of supplier partners responsible for plant and building maintenance and operations, and directs resources supporting projects from concept through turnover. The role has indirect budgetary responsibility for site utility operations and expense projects, supports operational requirements and plans aligned with Global Workplace Experience objectives, and contributes to Pfizer’s NetZero objectives. It also ensures compliance with internal and external regulatory requirements and collaborates with stakeholders on risk, operations, business continuity, and crisis management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in utilities and/or central plant operations serving critical business environments, engineering and maintenance of mechanical systems and infrastructure, and technical leadership or team support roles.
• Strong knowledge of steam and thermal systems, cogeneration/turbine-based power systems, utility distribution, and mechanical systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in combustion turbine/cogeneration operations; steam plant generation and distribution; nitrogen generation and distribution; instrument-quality compressed air; utility and process water; integrated utilities infrastructure; and HVAC and BMS systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of maintenance practices and processes.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Understanding of SLAs and KPIs, and ability to work with business-line customers and colleagues to establish and collect meaningful metrics.
• Proficiency with CMMS systems.
• Skilled proficiency with Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Ability to adapt to changing business conditions while maintaining focus on near- and long-term strategies and manage competing priorities in critical operations environments.
• Ability to exercise leadership and diplomacy in a team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional interpersonal and negotiation skills and strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative, ability to multitask, and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision.
• Responsive customer-service attitude.
• Ability to perform detailed work across multiple concurrent tasks, often with interruptions and time constraints.
• Ability, with reasonable accommodation, to stoop, reach, stand, walk, and sit for extended periods; push or pull objects weighing up to 30 pounds; operate a computer and office equipment; grasp objects; perceive attributes by touch; communicate verbally and by phone; and see clearly at close range with a good field of vision and distinguish basic colors and shades.
• Frequent duties may require climbing stairs and ladders, kneeling, and crouching.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States by any employer; U.S. work visa sponsorship is not available. The position requires permanent U.S. work authorization.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (MS or MBA).
• Experience with reliability engineering and asset management programs.
• Experience with distributed control systems (DCS) or plant automation.
• Experience with energy management and sustainability initiatives.
• Experience with CAFM systems.
• Experience with AutoCAD or other software for 2D and 3D modeling and documentation reviews and updates.
• Experience leading or supporting capital projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a subject matter expert or site engineering lead for mechanical utility systems, including cogeneration, steam, chilled water, nitrogen, instrument-quality compressed air, water, and HVAC systems.
• Provide engineering oversight to ensure safe, efficient, and dependable utility operations.
• Partner with Utilities Operations teams to support continuous plant reliability and performance.
• Lead root cause analysis, reliability improvements, and system optimization.
• Establish and improve preventive and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Support incident response and recovery of critical utility systems.
• Lead and support lifecycle management of mechanical utility assets, including design, specification, commissioning, qualification, maintenance strategies, and replacement and obsolescence planning.
• Identify and prioritize capital investments and upgrades for mechanical infrastructure.
• Provide engineering leadership and support for utility-related capital projects.
• Develop project scopes, technical requirements, and commissioning plans.
• Oversee assigned expense projects from concept through commissioning and turnover, ensuring alignment with site and Global Workplace Experience standards.
• Ensure alignment with site energy strategy, sustainability, and capacity planning.
• Ensure systems comply with applicable cGMP/GxP requirements, EHS and regulatory standards, and business resiliency requirements.
• Support audits, inspections, and regulatory interactions.
• Lead risk identification and mitigation for critical mechanical utilities infrastructure.
• Oversee external service providers and utilities contractors; establish and manage operational KPIs and SLAs; ensure contract compliance and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate with Site Operations and Maintenance, EHS and Quality, Global Engineering, and Energy Management.
• Support site-wide infrastructure reliability and operational continuity.
• Respond to facility incidents, excursions, business continuity events, emergencies, off-shift schedules, and planned shutdowns as required.

Benefits

• 401(k) plan with Pfizer matching contributions and an additional Pfizer Retirement Savings Contribution.
• Paid vacation, holiday, and personal days.
• Paid caregiver/parental and medical leave.
• Medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage.
• Eligibility for participation in Pfizer’s Global Performance Plan with a bonus target of 12.5% of base salary.
• Eligibility to participate in Pfizer’s share-based long-term incentive program.
• Relocation assistance may be available based on business needs and/or eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager