Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer

Smithfield Foods•Smithfield, VA

17h

About The Position

The Senior Utilities Reliability Engineer supports utility systems across Smithfield’s U.S. Fresh and Packaged Meat facilities, focusing on industrial refrigeration, boilers, and compressed air. The role helps ensure these systems are designed, developed, operated, and optimized efficiently, safely, and in compliance with applicable requirements. It works with facility teams, project engineering, professional refrigeration engineering resources, and the Process Safety Management (PSM) team to develop infrastructure plans, resolve system issues, and implement improvements and new systems. The position also contributes to planning and budgeting utility improvement projects, researching and testing new technology, and evaluating complex facility operations. The engineer identifies deficiencies and supports corrective actions using load, charge, and relief calculations. The role involves travel to other locations approximately 50% of the time and work in both office and plant settings.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or a related field, and at least 5 years of related experience in the operation, maintenance, and optimization of ammonia refrigeration systems; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
RETA CIRO (Certified Industrial Refrigeration Operator) certification from the International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration.
ANSI/IIAR2 certification, Garden City Program Operator II certification, or an equivalent certification from another nationally recognized ammonia training program.
Deep theoretical understanding of industrial refrigeration systems and the ability to apply that knowledge to the role.
Strong reading, mathematics, writing, and analytical skills.
Ability to perform assigned tasks efficiently with minimal supervision.
Ability and willingness to travel to other locations; travel is approximately 50% of the time.
Ability to meet the physical and environmental requirements of the role, including occasionally lifting or moving up to 50 pounds and working at elevated heights.

Nice To Haves

Electrical experience and troubleshooting involving low- and high-voltage circuits, motors, and controls.
Wastewater operations experience.
Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Respectful, approachable, team-oriented approach, with the ability to build strong working relationships and contribute to a positive work environment.

Responsibilities

Support U.S. Fresh and Packaged Meat facilities as required.
Work with facility teams and project engineering to develop Capital Infrastructure Plans.
Engage professional refrigeration engineering resources during project design and development.
Assist facilities and the PSM Management Team with compliance-related issues as requested.
Assist with developing designs, selecting equipment, obtaining quotes, and scheduling work.
Develop and help implement resolutions to facility refrigeration system issues.
Implement new systems and standardize equipment requirements.
Assist with planning and budgeting utility engineering improvement projects to meet project expectations and timelines.
Optimize utility systems based on facility operating requirements.
Research and assist in testing new technology.
Assess complex operations and systems to support Operations management.
Identify and correct deficiencies in existing systems by performing load, charge, and relief calculations.
Lead multiple efforts in different fields while ensuring proper protocols and practices are followed.
Perform other duties as assigned.