Mechanical Engineer, Refrigeration

US Foods is seeking a Mechanical Engineer, Refrigeration to design, analyze, and optimize industrial refrigeration systems. The role involves providing technical support, ensuring regulatory compliance, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency.

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, expansions, and retrofits
• 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

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)
• 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