The Director – Energy and Heat Systems is a senior-level role responsible for overseeing the design, performance, maintenance, and sustainability of all thermal energy systems, including steam generation, hot water distribution, heat recovery, and thermal efficiency programs. This role leads the strategic planning and technical execution of energy infrastructure across one or more industrial or institutional facilities, ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant operations that align with environmental and business goals.
Develop and lead the execution of a thermal energy strategy, including steam and hot water generation, distribution, and consumption.
Lead teams in the operation and optimization of boiler plants, steam systems, heat exchangers, and district heating systems.
Oversee major infrastructure upgrades, expansions, and retrofits of heating and steam systems.
Identify and implement energy efficiency improvements, decarbonization efforts, and thermal energy recovery solutions.
Evaluate and recommend adoption of emerging technologies (e.g., condensing boilers, cogeneration, biomass, or heat pumps).
Ensure 24/7 operation and reliability of all heat and steam systems, including redundancy planning and critical failure response.
Monitor system performance using BMS/SCADA systems and develop metrics to track energy efficiency, losses, and performance.
Oversee preventive and predictive maintenance programs for boilers, piping, valves, pumps, and controls.
Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency response protocols.
Ensure compliance with all relevant local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., ASME, OSHA, NFPA, EPA).
Maintain accurate records for boiler inspections, pressure vessel certifications, emissions reporting, and other regulatory requirements.
Conduct energy and safety audits and lead root cause analysis for system failures or incidents.
Partner with EHS teams to ensure systems operate in accordance with environmental permits and workplace safety standards.
Develop and manage operational and capital budgets for energy systems and projects.
Lead CAPEX projects related to steam/hot water system upgrades, including feasibility studies, vendor selection, and contractor oversight.
Drive cost control and energy optimization across heating and steam operations.
Support energy purchasing strategies and partnerships with energy providers/utilities.
Lead a multidisciplinary team of engineers, boiler operators, and energy analysts.
Provide coaching, mentorship, and development opportunities to team members.
Collaborate with facilities, operations, sustainability, and senior leadership teams to align thermal energy strategy with organizational objectives.
Steam and Hot Water Generation: Design, operation, and maintenance of industrial and institutional thermal energy systems.
Thermal Energy Efficiency: Waste heat recovery, insulation improvements, condensate return, and boiler efficiency optimization.
Decarbonization & Sustainability: Implement clean heat technologies and reduce carbon footprint of heating systems.
Regulatory Compliance: Deep understanding of boiler code compliance (ASME Section I & IV), emission limits, and reporting.
Energy Data & Analytics: Use of real-time monitoring and data analysis to improve system performance and energy use.
System Design & Retrofitting: Engineering and project management for infrastructure expansions and system upgrades.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Systems, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).
10+ years of experience in steam and hot water systems, with at least 5 years in a senior or leadership role.
Strong technical background in boiler systems, high-pressure steam, district heating, and thermal energy recovery.
Familiarity with energy codes, emissions standards, and regulatory requirements.
Experience with BMS/SCADA systems and energy monitoring tools.
Professional Engineer (PE) license, Certified Energy Manager (CEM), or ASME Boiler Certification is highly desirable.
Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
Experience in mission-critical environments (e.g., pharma, hospitals, universities, manufacturing) is a plus.