Utility Engineer (HVAC & Chiller)

Job Purpose:

The HVAC & Chilled/Cooling Water System Engineer is responsible for the planning, design, management, and optimization of all HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning), chilled water, and cooling water systems essential for maintaining critical environmental conditions in production and utility facilities. This role encompasses the installation, operation, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and decommissioning of related equipment and infrastructure, ensuring optimal temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and process cooling performance. The engineer also develops and implements energy-saving initiatives and supports technical excellence in collaboration with Safety, Production, Controls, and Facility teams. He/she also need to interact with SHE engineer, equipment engineer, control engineer, production engineer, production planner and manager, customer, vendors and local community to solve urgent complex problems by identifying and evaluating alternatives or reporting utility related issues. He or She is also responsible for leading site activities by providing knowledge, advice and leadership over necessary stakeholders including but not limited to utility supervisors, utility operators, subcontractors, vendors, manufacturers, etc. This position requires some call-in duty during off hours when necessary.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Maintenance Planning/Management

• Prepare, implement, and oversee annual maintenance schedules and budgets for HVAC and chilled/cooling water systems.
• Initiate and process renovation or upgrade requests, including issuing purchase orders for required parts or services.
• Track execution and performance of preventive and corrective maintenance tasks.

1. Investment Planning/Management

• Develop annual investment plans and budgets for system upgrades and expansions.
• Review and interpret facility and mechanical drawings (including P&ID), and propose efficiency-improving modifications.
• Prepare technical specifications, construction documents, and requests for quotations for new equipment or system modifications.
• Manage project performance, ensuring completion on time and within budget.

1. Facility Inspection and Technical Support

• Conduct routine (daily/monthly/quarterly/annual) and ad hoc inspections of all HVAC, chilled water, and cooling water systems.
• Identify, diagnose, and resolve system abnormalities; document and report issues for ongoing reliability tracking.
• Develop, update, and communicate operation and maintenance manuals.
• Optimize performance and reliability of piping, pumps, heat exchangers, chillers, AHUs, cooling towers, etc.

1. Energy Saving Planning and Performance Management

• Monitor and analyze energy consumption patterns across HVAC and cooling plant equipment.
• Identify and implement energy-saving opportunities and process improvements.
• Report and track monthly results on energy and cost reduction.

1. Regulatory & Safety Compliance

• Ensure compliance with all relevant local/national codes, government regulations, and safety standards for HVAC and cooling water operations.
• Coordinate and prepare for governmental inspections and audits, including safety valves and pressure vessels.
• Participate in and support internal/external facility audits (e.g., PSM, ISO), and address action items.

1. Construction Management/Supervising

• Supervise installation, renovation, or expansion projects for HVAC and cooling water systems, ensuring quality and schedule compliance.
• Oversee contractors/vendors during critical construction activities; inspect and verify materials and workmanship.

1. Emergency Planning & Response

• Plan and execute emergency trainings on natural disasters, lack of power, and release of harmful substances

1. Other tasks as assigned

Qualifications:

1. Education: 
   • Bachelor’s degree in HVAC, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or equivalent

1. Experience: 

• Minimum 3-5 years of hands-on experience with HVAC and cooling system design, operation, and maintenance, preferably in manufacturing condition of Dry room/Clean room (auto parts, EV batteries, electronics, or similar industries).

1. Qualification/Certification/License: 
   • (Preferred) HVAC, Chilled/Cooling Water System, PE related certification

1. Language skills: 

• Working level of English (verbal, written, etc.)

1. Computer skills: 

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)
• (Preferred) Proficiency with AutoCAD or similar programs (reading and drawing)

Demands & Environments:

1. Physical & Mental Demands:
   • In the office: Must wear the company-provided uniform (If required)
   • In the production site: Must wear the company-provided uniform and PPE including safety shoes, safety helmet (hard hat), safety glasses/safety goggles, portable gas measuring device
   • In the clean room and dry room: Must wear dust-proof suit, shoes, gloves and hat
   • In the A/C tower: Must wear dust-proof mask
   • When exposed to NMP, hot oil: Additionally wear gas mask, dust-proof mask, chemical resistant clothing

1. Work Environment: 

• Usual office environment
• Production/construction site
• Risk of noise: Above 90dB in compressor room 
• Risk of high temperature: 104~122°F in boiler room, machine room, vacuum pump room
• Potential exposure to hazardous materials (heating medium oil, NMP, water treatment chemicals (boiler treatment compound, acidity regulator, etc.)) and various kinds of lubricating oils

Core Competencies:

1. Professional Competencies:
   • Strong technical knowledge of HVAC, chilled/cooling water systems, pumps, piping, and process controls.
   • Proficient at troubleshooting, preventive and corrective maintenance, and reading technical diagrams (P&ID, mechanical drawings).
   • Good understanding of Steam Boiler, Steam System, Chilled/Cooling Water System, Compressed Air system, Hydraulics, HVAC system, Piping System, pumps & blowers.
   • Good understanding of machines (Boiler, Blower, AHU, RTU, Air Compressor, Chiller, Cooling Tower, Pump, valve, etc.)
   • Good understanding of fixing technologies (regarding all systems and equipment mentioned above.)
   • Ability to apply practical knowledge of MSD (Material Selection Diagram)
   • Able to understand P&ID, diagrams, drawings and update such documents.
   • Ability to review overall budget and analyze construction cost under supervision
   • Ability to apply practical knowledge of safety management guidelines (or similar legal guidelines)
   • Ability to read mechanical drawings
   • Good understanding of bidding process and contract practices, and ability to apply practical knowledge into actual practice
   • Ability to solve moderately difficult problems related to utility (Mechanical)
   • Ability to develop manuals, specifications, standards, guidelines, checklists or any of such documents for utility operation and maintenance.
   • Able to lead projects, communicate and coordinate with stakeholders, lead supervisors and operators and drive a project to completion.

1. Behavioral Competencies:
   • Overcome fear of failure and strives to keep trying with can-do attitude and high level of enthusiasm
   • Take ownership of the tacks and complete it responsibly.
   • Work collaboratively with other teammates and departments to accomplish common goals and objectives
   • Derive logical conclusions even in somewhat difficult situation or from limited number of options available
   • Invest persistent and consistent efforts until the very end no matter how difficult the path gets
   • Drive to outshine, by pushing one’s limit in order to show consistent improvement 
   • Treat everyone with respect and sensitivity to differences among individuals as a result of language, cultural background
   • Influence others within the job area through explanation of facts, policies and practice by clearly conveying information and ideas in an engaging and easy-to-understand way
   • Demonstrate an ability to take initiatives and seek responsibility without being forced or pushed to do so

Role Competencies:

1. Professional Competencies:

• Work independently, with partial guidance, to accomplish job/team goals within the scope of assigned responsibilities 
• Voluntarily identify areas of contribution within the assigned job/team and make suggestions for improvement by recognizing problems within existing ways of working

1. Expertise

• Possess working knowledge/skills of the instructions/procedures/tools of the assigned job and be able to explain in detail
• Solve problems by exploring past cases with the advice from superiors

1. Collaboration and Supervision
   • Build stable and collaborative relationships within and across teams
   • Provide practical coaching and advice for P1 level members