Engineer-Utilities & HVAC | GMP Pharmaceutica

Location: Petersburg, VA

Industry: Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Employment Type: Full-Time

Make an Impact on a New Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Facility

We are seeking an experienced Engineer II
- Utilities & HVAC to join our team in Petersburg, VA. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key technical role in the final phase of construction, commissioning, and start-up of a new pharmaceutical manufacturing facility , and then transition into supporting the site's ongoing operations.

In this role, you will serve as the Site Subject Matter Expert (SME) for critical GMP utility and HVAC systems, including Water for Injection (WFI), Clean Steam, Process Compressed Air, Nitrogen, GMP HVAC, and related ancillary systems .

You will be responsible for ensuring these critical systems are reliable, compliant, safe, efficient, and fit for use in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment. You will also have the opportunity to influence capital projects, lead continuous improvement initiatives, troubleshoot complex system issues, and partner closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Operations, Quality, HSE, and other cross-functional teams.

• Serve as the technical SME for GMP Utilities, HVAC, and associated ancillary systems supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Provide technical expertise related to system applications, process parameters, flow diagrams, equipment performance, and industry best practices.

• Support the final stages of construction, commissioning, qualification, and start-up of the new manufacturing facility.

• Lead or participate in projects and system changes, including design activities, verification and qualification activities such as IQ/OQ/PQ , and capital project execution.

• Develop and review technical documentation, including User Requirements (URs), specifications, test cases, procedures, and qualification documentation .

• Ensure systems remain in a validated, controlled, compliant, and fit-for-use state.

• Monitor utility and HVAC performance and establish and maintain KPIs to ensure reliability, compliance, and effective operation.

• Develop operating and maintenance procedures to ensure systems remain within established control parameters.

• Implement maintenance, reliability, and continuous improvement strategies that improve system performance and efficiency.

• Lead troubleshooting and equipment failure investigations, including Root Cause Analysis (RCA) , and guide Operations and Maintenance teams in resolving complex technical issues.

• Support risk assessments using tools such as FMEA and participate in Process Hazard Reviews and safety teams as needed.

• Provide technical consultation and support to Maintenance, Operations, Quality, Engineering, and other site stakeholders.

• Ensure utility-related issues are appropriately documented, tracked, communicated, and resolved within required timelines.

• Support internal and external inspections, audits, investigations, and regulatory activities, including Quality and HSE inspections.

• Develop, maintain, and deliver training related to utility and HVAC systems.

• Utilize statistical analysis and process capability tools to support investigations and process control.

• Maintain proficiency with Document Management Systems (DMS), CAPA systems , and other applicable site systems.

• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and local capital investment to enhance reliability, efficiency, compliance, and overall site performance.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Science, or a related technical discipline .

• 6+ years of experience working with GMP Utilities in a pharmaceutical, biotech, or other regulated manufacturing environment.

• Strong technical knowledge of GMP utility systems and HVAC within a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

• Experience with equipment/system qualification and validation activities, including IQ/OQ/PQ .

• Experience with troubleshooting, investigations, root cause analysis, and corrective/preventive actions.

• Ability to interpret P&IDs, flow diagrams, system specifications, and process parameters .

• Strong understanding of GMP, regulatory expectations, and controlled manufacturing environments.

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to collaborate effectively across Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, HSE, and other…