Mechanical Engineer, Refrigeration (Remote)

US Foods•Washington, DC

1d•$110,000 - $170,000•Remote

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineer - Refrigeration is responsible for the design, analysis, optimization, and technical support of industrial refrigeration systems across the enterprise. This role provides subject-matter expertise for ammonia (NH₃), Co2 and Freon-based systems, ensuring safe operation, regulatory compliance, reliability, and energy efficiency in support of operational and business objectives. This position is virtual/remote which means the work can be completed from anywhere is the United States except Hawaii or United States Territories.

Requirements

5 years of experience in industrial refrigeration, with hands-on experience with ammonia (NH₃) refrigeration systems and working knowledge of Freon-based systems.
Expertise in industrial ammonia and Freon refrigeration engineering, including refrigeration thermodynamics and mechanical system design.
Strong knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Program (RMP) compliance requirements.
Demonstrated experience in system troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and operational problem-solving within industrial refrigeration environments.
Experience supporting capital projects, including system upgrades, expansions, commissioning, and equipment optimization initiatives.
Proficient in interpreting and developing P&IDs, technical specifications, and engineering documentation.
Strong understanding of asset reliability, preventative maintenance strategies, and energy optimization practices.
Familiarity with OSHA PSM and EPA RMP requirements.
Ability to travel to operating sites as needed.
This role requires approximately >25% travel during the initial years, with the potential for reduced travel as the function matures and stabilizes.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT)

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of applicable industry standards and regulatory requirements, including IIAR and ASHRAE guidelines.
EPA Section 608 Certification
Experience in food distribution, cold storage, manufacturing, or logistics environments.
Experience supporting multi-site operations.
Experience with AutoCAD verification and updating.

Responsibilities

Design, review, and support industrial refrigeration systems utilizing ammonia, C02 and Freon refrigerants, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels, piping, and controls.
Develop and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and system documentation.
Evaluate system performance and recommend improvements to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency.
Provide technical support for troubleshooting and root cause analysis of refrigeration system issues.
Core partner of Design and Construction team to set design standards for company.
Support Process Safety Management (PSM) and Risk Management Plan (RMP) requirements for ammonia systems.
Participate in PHAs, MOCs, mechanical integrity programs, and compliance audits.
Ensure designs and system modifications comply with OSHA, EPA, IIAR, ASHRAE, and applicable codes and standards.
Support incident investigations and development of corrective actions.
Provide engineering support for refrigeration-related capital projects, including system upgrades, expansions, commissioning, and equipment optimization initiatives.
Review contractor and consultant designs for compliance with engineering standards and project requirements.
Support commissioning, startup, and system acceptance activities.
Provide technical input on equipment selection, vendor evaluation, and scope development.
Partner with Facilities and Maintenance teams to develop maintenance strategies, SOPs, and operating procedures.
Provide field engineering support during major outages, repairs, and emergency events.
Assist with contractor oversight and ensure technical work is executed safely and correctly.
Analyze system performance data to identify reliability risks, capacity constraints, and energy optimization opportunities.
Support lifecycle asset planning, condition assessments, and replacement recommendations.
Identify opportunities for system modernization and automation.
Maintain accurate P&IDs, equipment files, calculations, and technical documentation.
Ensure documentation supports PSM compliance, audits, and operational readiness.
Contribute to enterprise knowledge sharing and continuous improvement initiatives.
Other duties as assigned by manager.