Senior Refrigeration Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Provide first-level, day-to-day administrative and technical supervision for a staff of professional engineers and technicians within an engineering department unit to accomplish specific engineering projects. Review technical feasibility of proposed solutions to engineering problems. Specialize in areas of competence (electrical, mechanical, etc.) depending on the function, according to the type of product or process. Responsible for the results of the unit's efforts and for the effectiveness of their overall integration within other units. Direct work assignments, scheduling, and reviews of work in progress. Handle personnel actions, including performance reviews, salary recommendations, and coordination of training and development. Help solve difficult technical problems. Typically lead a staff of five to ten professionals.
Job Description
Job Purpose
The Refrigeration, HVAC, Plant System Design Engineer is a subject matter expert that will lead their discipline as part of the Design and Technical Capabilities team to define standards, consistent processes, and formulate projects that can be used and issued to suppliers for initial budget and final pricing and order placement. The design engineer is responsible for the design, operation, maintenance, and optimization of ammonia-based refrigeration systems used in industries such as food processing, cold storage, and manufacturing. This role requires a strong engineering background, deep technical knowledge of ammonia systems, and strict adherence to safety and regulatory standards.
The specialized professional focus will be on ammonia/refrigeration but their responsible will includes oversight of design, engineering, safety and quality support in the following utility equipment systems: Clean steam, RO systems, HVAC systems, plant steam systems, process chillers, compressed/process air, nitrogen, ammonia chillers, refrigeration process, and cooling towers.
This individual will work closely with a cross-functional team to meet the needs of the groups they support. This position supports the team on completing capital engineering feasibility studies, develop initial and detailed equipment designs, and creating engineering standards that complement the equipment design and can be utilized for project feasibility and execution phases of projects to improve speed of execution.
This individual will require both the project management and technical knowledge to develop the scope for complex utilities projects. While this role will be focused on refrigeration/ammonia expertise, team members are expected to have general knowledge of infrastructure, utilities, wastewater treatment and food and beverages process technologies.
Essential Functions & Responsibilities
• Develop initial scope of work, block flow diagrams, equipment selections, and technical reports for ammonia refrigeration systems, including compressors, condensers, evaporators, and associated components.
• Perform sizing and selection of refrigeration equipment, control group design, final line sizing, and mass/energy balance calculations.
• Maintain engineering standards, stay current with code changes (e.g., NEC, ASHRAE, OSHA, EPA), and ensure compliance with Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements.
• Ensure PSM program is compliant. Review PSM audits and provide solutions and alternative options.
• Create standard engineering project designs and Capex estimates for major capital initiatives working together with supply development, project leads and their teams.
• Provide engineering support to address operational / compliance issues and to ensure equipment is maintained at a level required to provide high reliability maximizing useful life
• Provide technical expertise and industry best practices
• Lead engineering efforts to resolve equipment and operational problems and ensure problem solving techniques are appropriately utilized
• Participate & lead cross functional reviews to define and agree standard process flows ensure all major Capital projects (>$1MM) within the Zone are designed to maintain business continuity, maximize operating income and factory efficiency, including the formulation of: standard designs, cost estimation and challenging timelines together with BU Engineering, ORM, R&D and FS&Q.
• Develop equipment standards and designs to enable Procurement to obtain standard pricing structures for particular/preferred suppliers.
• Establish benchmarking of common equipment or processes and Capital projects across the Zone to understand key advantages of each the various installed lines and standardize where these bring competitive advantage.
• Identify and evaluate Best Available Technologies and engineering practices for their discipline, sharing them across the zone, and globally where appropriate. With the aim of delivering projects in a more consistent and expedient manner.
• Provide technical support to project engineers as requested during equipment build, acceptance testing and commissioning.
• Participate in Post Project Implementation Reviews to understand areas for improvement and revision versus the established standards and approach.
• Research and refine technical solutions to reduce labor reliance across multiple product categories.
• Create preliminary budgetary estimates across multiple disciplines (refrigeration, HVAC, infrastructure, and utilities) to guide the business towards the best ROI capital investments.
• Develop project design, detailed scopes of work, cost estimates, timelines and bid documentation for capital projects that are identified as high potential for investment.
• Work with third party engineering firms to develop for-bid and for-construction drawings.
• Act as a resident expert within ammonia/refrigeration field of expertise, providing guidance to the broader team on the strategic fit within the Manufacturing Network.
• Identify and prioritize opportunities based on the business segment cost needs and the latest technical solutions.
• Present to senior leadership about project viability during ideation, future pipeline ideas, and project updates during the scope development stage.
• Participate in Zone Technical Peer Reviews (TPR) to ensure projects are properly designed while meeting safety, quality, sanitary requirements, and following KHC standards and specifications.
• Define and implement operating KPIs for utilities for the sites.
• Investigate and apply relevant best in class methods in the zone through collaborative efforts with suppliers, OEM's and SME's.
• Work with external stakeholders (OEM's, Contractors, local utility) to ensure that they are aligned with the Kraft Heinz direction and deliver maximum value for our investments.
• Scout, evaluate, and qualify potential vendors (OEMs, Technical Services, etc) to support and enable the NAZ 10yp, specifically through environmental stewardship.
• Participate in industry groups to maintain a pulse on industry best practices. Develop and justify plans for implementation within the Zone.
Expected Experience & Required Skills
A Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Chemical or Electrical Engineering or related field/experience is required.
• 5-8 years of manufacturing experience is required with the ability to articulate & implement new technologies and ammonia/refrigeration designs.
• Refrigeration technology or ammonia refrigeration certifications (e.g., R-22, ammonia-specific) are preferred.
• In-depth understanding of ammonia refrigeration systems, HVACR design, and related facility mechanical systems (water, steam, pumps, blowers, gas, compressed air, sanitation, vacuum).
• RETA certification is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards and guidelines such as ASME BPE, ISPE Baseline Guides, USP, EU GMP, ISO standards and CFR's.
• Must possess basic knowledge of core principles in various engineering disciplines (fluid mechanics, heat transfer, thermodynamics etc.)
• Strong knowledge of utility systems (Clean and Plant Utility Systems)
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong computer skills preferred.
• Experience with writing scopes of work based on project requirements.
• Possess a deep understanding of Manufacturing KPIs.
• Able to lead a cross functional team.
• Able to influence senior leaders within the Manufacturing Leadership Team.
• Able to provide mentoring and coaching to seasoned technical Leaders / professionals.
• Act as the resident domain expert within their field.
• Demonstrable knowledge in their discipline in defining processes and establishing engineering standard for the use in engineering projects.
• External relationships with OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and Engineering service organizations throughout the world.
• Experience of working with LEAN or similar structured continuous improvement methodologies.
• Able to travel as needed.
Work Environment & Schedule
This position is considered a Normal office environment with moderate travel to customer locations, stores, manufacturing facilities, etc.; offices are open workspaces Additionally, this role requires 50% domestic travel. The travel requirements are cyclical and will be dependent on the development stage of the project. Many of our factories are located several hours from the nearest airport, so a driver's license is required.
Physical Requirements
Physical demands include but not limited to:
• Constant keyboard or text input
• Occasional accessing high or low objects
• Occasional scaling staircases
• Frequent standing during Commissioning, FAT and Startup
Our Total Rewards philosophy is to provide a meaningful and flexible spectrum of programs that equitably support our diverse workforce and their families and complement Kraft Heinz' strategy and values.
New Hire Base Salary Range:
$120,800.00 - $151,000.00
Bonus: This position is eligible for a performance-based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.
The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors
Benefits: Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family's needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Wellbeing: We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well-being lifestyle for our employees and their families.
You'll be able to participate in a variety of benefits and wellbeing programs that may vary by role, country, region, union status, and other employment status factors, for example:

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional - Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial - 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Location(s)
Chicago/Aon Center
Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact NAZTAOps@kraftheinz.com for assistance.