Sr. Refrigeration Controls Engineer

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The Senior Refrigeration Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, programming, optimization, and support of refrigeration control systems across food distribution and cold storage facilities. This role ensures safe, reliable, and energy-efficient operation of temperature-controlled environments supporting perishable food logistics. The position provides technical leadership in controls architecture, automation strategy, troubleshooting, and system standardization across multiple sites.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Refrigeration Controls & Automation

• Lead the design, programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and optimization of industrial refrigeration control systems.

• Support controls infrastructure for ammonia (NH3) and Freon refrigeration systems including compressors, condensers, evaporators, vessels, pumps, valves, and defrost systems.

• Develop and maintain PLC, HMI, SCADA, and building automation system (BAS) control strategies for refrigeration operations.

• Monitor and optimize refrigeration system performance, energy efficiency, alarm management, and temperature compliance.

• Troubleshoot complex refrigeration controls, instrumentation, and automation failures impacting facility operations and product integrity.

Operational Reliability & Compliance

• Ensure refrigeration systems operate safely and in compliance with OSHA PSM, EPA RMP, IIAR, and applicable food safety regulations.

• Support process hazard analysis (PHA), management of change (MOC), and refrigeration safety management programs.

• Lead root cause analysis of investigations for refrigeration system failures, operational incidents, and recurring equipment issues.

• Support emergency response planning and operational readiness for refrigeration-related incidents.

  • PLC Experience- Rockwell, Allen Bradley Siemens.

  • SCADA/Network Controls

Controls Systems & OT Infrastructure

• Support industrial control system architecture including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, VFDs, instrumentation, and industrial networking.

• Manage integration between refrigeration systems, facility monitoring systems, warehouse automation systems, and enterprise platforms.

• Support industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus, BACnet, and OPC.

• Partner with IT and cybersecurity teams to maintain secure and reliable OT environments.

Capital Projects & System Improvements

• Lead refrigeration controls engineering activities for capital projects, facility expansions, retrofits, and modernization initiatives.

• Develop technical specifications, control narratives, sequence of operations, and commissioning plans.

• Coordinate activities with refrigeration contractors, OEMs, system integrators, and cross-functional stakeholders.

• Support startup, commissioning, and operational handoff of new refrigeration and automation systems.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve refrigeration system reliability, uptime, energy usage, and operational efficiency.

• Utilize operational data and analytics to support predictive maintenance and system optimization strategies.

• Standardize refrigeration controls architecture, engineering documentation, and best practices across facilities.

• Mentor junior engineers, technicians, and maintenance personnel on refrigeration controls systems and troubleshooting methodologies.

• Other duties as assigned by manager.

RELATIONSHIPS

• Internal Relationships: This role partners closely with Operations, Facilities, Maintenance, EHS, Asset Management, and Engineers.

• External Relationships: Interfaces with external engineering firms, refrigeration contractors, equipment suppliers, third party contractors, and consultants.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Travel to multiple distribution centers as needed.

• Combination of office, warehouse, and field environments, including refrigerated and frozen areas.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 5 years of experience supporting industrial refrigeration and controls systems in food distribution, cold storage, food manufacturing, or industrial operations.

• Direct experience with ammonia refrigeration systems.

• Experience in highly automated, temperature-controlled, or 24/7 operational environments.

• 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 and EPA requirements.

• PLC/Automation experience in Rockwell, Siemen, Allen Bradley as well as SCADA and HMI interfaces.

• This role requires approximately >25% travel during the initial years, with the potential for reduced travel as the function matures and stabilizes.

EDUCATION

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline

CERTIFICATIONS/TRAINING

• Certified Controls Engineer (CCE)

• Certified Automation Prof. (CAP) or CCST

LICENSES

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Certified Automation Engineer with combination of experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience supporting Freon, C02 and or Ammonia refrigeration systems.

• Experience in food distribution, cold storage, manufacturing, or logistics environments.

• Experience supporting multi-site operations.

PHYSICAL QUALIFICATIONS

• Standard required physical activities including length of time performing each activity.

This role will also receive annual incentive plan bonus.

Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre-tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short-term and long-term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please click here: https://www.usfoods.com/careers/benefits.html.

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state or local minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between

$110,000 - $175,000

***EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***