Senior Refrigeration Engineer

WSP•Meridian, ID

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Senior Refrigeration Engineer for its Industrial and Advanced Manufacturing Division, which specializes in food and beverage, federal, and industrial facility design. The role leads the planning, analysis, design, and delivery of safe, reliable, and energy-efficient industrial refrigeration systems for new facilities, renovations, additions, and existing-facility assessments. Working with multidisciplinary teams, the engineer serves as a technical leader and client advisor, helping clients improve performance, meet code and safety requirements, and address evolving production and sustainability goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
PE License.
10+ years of mechanical engineering experience focused on industrial refrigeration system design, including ammonia and other refrigerant-based systems, with supporting experience in HVAC, plumbing, and utility piping.
Ability to exercise independent judgment and apply advanced engineering principles, procedures, and applicable codes.
Ability to lead refrigeration design efforts, manage resources, and coordinate effectively with junior engineers, designers, and multidisciplinary project teams through clear communication and teamwork.
Proficiency in design and drafting using AutoCAD and/or Revit, with a strong foundation in engineering calculations and coordinated technical documentation.
Advanced knowledge of industrial refrigeration systems and theory, including refrigeration cycles, compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels, recirculation and secondary coolant systems, refrigerant and utility piping, pipe materials and piping classes, valves and fittings, insulation and corrosion, heat recovery, defrost, ventilation, controls, and integration with process and building systems.
Working knowledge of refrigerant and ammonia safety, refrigerant environmental requirements, applicable mechanical, fire, building, and pressure-piping codes, recognized industry standards, and process safety practices (IIAR and PSM).
Adaptability, complex problem-solving ability, and capability to learn and apply new refrigeration technologies with minimal support.
Strong oral and written communication skills with cross-disciplinary team members and clients; ability to build and maintain respectful, trusting client relationships, understand client needs, and deliver tailored solutions.
Demonstrated ability to work independently and manage time, quality, and effort to deliver high-quality results within project time and cost constraints.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Autodesk Revit MEP and/or Plant 3D for industrial refrigeration and process utility system design.
Experience with refrigeration-selection software and manufacturer equipment-selection tools, HVAC load-calculation software, psychrometric analysis, and HVAC modeling tools.
Active participation in ASHRAE and/or IIAR (International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration), with experience applying IIAR standards and supporting refrigeration system assessments, modernization projects, energy optimization, or process safety initiatives.
Experience with cascade and multistage refrigeration systems.
Experience with CO2 refrigeration, recovery, liquefaction, and storage systems.
Experience designing refrigeration room ventilation systems.
Experience in two or more of the following sectors: food and beverage; cold-chain and refrigerated distribution; advanced manufacturing; clean rooms and controlled environments; data centers; warehousing and logistics; dairies; breweries and wineries; and process and industrial facilities.
An established client base.

Responsibilities

Lead refrigeration engineering from proposals, field assessments, and basis-of-design development through client reviews, construction administration, and commissioning support.
Design cold rooms, freezer rooms, blast freezers and chillers, specialized temperature- and relative-humidity-controlled rooms, food-processing facilities, refrigerated warehouses, and distribution facilities.
Calculate heat and mass balances, refrigeration loads, thermodynamic cycles, pipe sizes and pressure drops, insulation requirements, energy use, heat recovery, and system efficiency.
Select equipment and prepare datasheets, technical specifications, equipment and utility schedules, tender documentation, bills of quantities, and cost estimates.
Develop and review PFDs, P&IDs, utility flow diagrams, system schematics, equipment and line lists, valve schedules, and interface and tie-in schedules.
Prepare coordinated construction documents using AutoCAD and/or Revit, including plantroom and equipment layouts, piping layouts and routing, support requirements, and details.
Develop refrigeration plant control philosophies, operating narratives, process descriptions, and control requirements for translation into control and automation programs.
Lead multidisciplinary design coordination, manage resources, and mentor junior engineers in design practices, calculations, code application, quality control, and project delivery.
Build trusted client relationships, understand operational needs, and deliver tailored solutions while independently managing time, quality, and effort within project schedules and budgets.

Benefits

Medical coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
Disability coverage
Life coverage
Retirement savings
Paid sick leave
Paid vacation or other personal time
Paid parental leave
Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings