Job Title: Senior Utility Engineer (HVAC / Electrical / Facilities), Pharma Manufacturing. Onsite, Durham, NC
Employment Type: Contract, W2
Location: Durham, NC, 100% onsite
Duration: 10 months
Work Authorization: Must be authorized to work in the US. Visa sponsorship is not available now or in the future.
About the Role
Our client, a global pharmaceutical leader, is hiring a Senior Utility Engineer for its manufacturing site in Durham, NC. You’ll own the site’s utility, electrical, and HVAC systems and keep them reliable, compliant, and in a validated state to support GMP manufacturing. This hands-on, onsite role combines engineering ownership, change control, regulated documentation, vendor oversight, and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Do
- Own and manage site utility, electrical, and HVAC systems to support reliable, compliant manufacturing.
- Provide hands-on engineering oversight for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing critical facility assets.
- Lead change control on utility and facility equipment to keep systems validated and qualified.
- Write, review, and approve SOPs, maintenance plans, drawings, and technical specifications.
- Diagnose complex equipment issues and deliver solid engineering fixes that reduce risk and downtime.
- Support regulatory inspections and internal audits, and drive effective corrective actions (CAPAs).
- Maintain compliance with cGMP, the CFR, and internal quality standards.
- Oversee vendors and contractors so work is done safely, well, and on time.
- Lead continuous improvement work to raise utility reliability and efficiency.
- Monitor equipment performance and apply maintenance and reliability strategies aligned with site and global standards.
Required Qualifications
- Education and experience, one of the following:
- BS in Chemical, Electrical, or Mechanical Engineering with 5+ years of relevant experience, OR
- Associate degree, diploma, or certification in engineering or a skilled technical field with 7+ years of relevant experience, OR
- 9+ years of equivalent experience supporting engineering, maintenance, or automation systems in a regulated industry
- Experience supporting utility, HVAC, electrical, or facility systems in pharma, biotech, or another regulated environment.
- Proven ability to own, maintain, and improve equipment and systems in a validated state.
- Strong technical writing skills, including writing, reviewing, and approving regulated (GMP) documentation.
- Applied knowledge of root cause analysis and structured problem-solving.
- Hands-on experience with equipment troubleshooting, building management systems (BMS), and industrial PLCs.
- Solid project management skills, with projects led from start to finish.
- Strong written and verbal communication, and the ability to work across technical and cross-functional teams.
