SME Engineer - Utilities

Remote with travel – 50%

Although this is a fully remote opening, you will need to reside in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Florida, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, Idaho, or Washington

Food Manufacturing

Major Talent is partnered with a global food business with facilities across North America, Asia, and Europe. We are currently looking to speak with qualified candidates for an SME Engineer opening

As an SME Engineer – Utilities, you will serve as the enterprise technical authority for utility systems across the manufacturing network, including refrigeration, steam and boiler systems, thermal fluid systems, compressed air, water systems, and energy infrastructure. This role provides deep subject-matter expertise in the design, operation, optimisation, troubleshooting, and strategic application of utilities critical to food and dairy processing operations.

Responsibilities of an SME Engineer - Utilities

• Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for utilities systems, including refrigeration (ammonia/CO₂), boilers/steam systems, cooling towers, chilled water, compressed air, and plant water systems
• Provide technical leadership for system design, integration, and optimization across utilities infrastructure
• Lead technical reviews of major capital projects involving utilities systems
• Serve as the final technical authority for utilities-related engineering decisions
• Support strategic decisions regarding utilities system selection, capacity planning, redundancy, and resilience
• Make high-quality technical decisions in ambiguous or high-risk situations
• Participate in concept development, feasibility studies, and engineering design reviews
• Support Operational Excellence initiatives by addressing complex reliability, capacity, and performance issues
• Build and maintain enterprise utilities system design and operating standards
• Establish best practices for safe operation of utilities systems including ammonia refrigeration safety and boiler integrity
• Provide technical guidance on energy management and sustainability considerations including heat recovery and efficiency

Experience/ Skills Required to be an SME Engineer - Utilities

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical or Chemical Engineering preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in utilities systems engineering or capital project execution
• Demonstrated expertise in one or more utilities systems with working knowledge across others
• Experience developing technical standards and specifications
• Strong understanding of industrial utilities in food or dairy environments
• Working knowledge of safety and regulatory requirements
• Strong understanding of energy systems and efficiency drivers
• Strong communication and influencing skills
• Experience facilitating technical reviews
• Experience supporting central utilities systems design
• Experience with refrigeration and/or boiler systems
• Experience implementing enterprise standards
• Experience with energy optimization programs
• Experience working with OEMs and engineering firms
• Familiarity with digital tools for utilities optimization

What is in it for you?

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short and Long-term Disability Insurance
• 401(k) with 7% company contributions
• 3 weeks Paid Time Off
• Paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Advancement Opportunities