Critical Utilities Lead Engineer

Position Overview

Clayco and LJC Design & Engineering are industry leaders in real estate development and integrated design. We are seeking a Critical Utilities Lead Engineer to provide technical leadership in planning, designing, and delivering clean and critical utility systems for life sciences manufacturing operations. The role focuses on developing system strategies, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards (such as GMP/GxP, FDA, and ASME), and coordinating multidisciplinary teams to achieve robust, reliable solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and design of critical and clean utility systems for life sciences manufacturing facilities from early planning through construction support.
• Develop system strategies for utilities such as purified water (PW), water for injection (WFI), clean steam, clean compressed air, process gases, process waste, biowaste, and associated distribution/collection systems.
• Collaborate with process engineers to align utility system capacity, quality, redundancy, and operational requirements with manufacturing processes.
• Define system architectures that support GMP, GxP, and regulatory expectations, including reliability, maintainability, and contamination control.
• Support front-end project efforts with proposals, utility narratives, conceptual system layouts, and client presentations.
• Lead technical discussions with clients regarding system performance, risk mitigation, redundancy strategies, and lifecycle considerations.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, architectural, and construction teams to ensure integration of utility systems with building infrastructure.
• Review calculations, drawings, specifications, and equipment selections for quality and compliance with project requirements.
• Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and guidelines including GMP/GxP, FDA, ISPE Baseline Guides, and ASME.
• Participate in multidisciplinary design reviews to resolve technical challenges and support constructability.
• Mentor and support the development of junior engineers in critical utility system design.
• Contribute to developing LJC’s critical utilities design standards, tools, and best practices.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 10–20+ years of experience designing critical and clean utility systems for life sciences manufacturing, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or other regulated production facilities.
• Demonstrated experience leading the design of clean and critical utilities that directly support manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of utility system design including generation, storage, distribution, monitoring, and redundancy strategies.
• Experience coordinating utility systems with process equipment, automation, electrical systems, and building infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of standards and guidelines such as GMP/GxP, FDA expectations, ISPE Baseline Guides, and ASME.
• Experience in a design-build or fast-track project delivery environment is preferred.
• Strong communication skills with proven ability to lead technical discussions and client meetings.
• Familiarity with BIM-based coordination and documentation workflows.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is preferred but not required.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and manage complex technical challenges.

Benefits & Perks

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package including Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!
• Compensation: The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors including education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are based on the specific facts and circumstances of each case.