Process Utility Specialist

Parsons is seeking an experienced Process Utility Specialist to join our Federal Solutions and Commissioning teams. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in hazardous process utilities, critical utility systems supporting defense manufacturing, and operational readiness testing for high-consequence industrial facilities. 

Parsons routinely supports secure federal and industrial facilities where utility failures can have significant safety and production consequences. Candidates must be technically sound, clear communicators, and comfortable working in environments that require careful attention to process safety, documentation, and coordinated start-up activities. 

An attractive Parsons compensation and benefits package is offered. This role provides the opportunity to apply specialized utility and operational-readiness expertise on major defense manufacturing and high-hazard process programs while contributing to the development of Parsons’ commissioning capabilities. 

Position requires substantial on-site presence at federal installations and client manufacturing facilities during design reviews, construction, start-up, and operational readiness phases, plus travel to vendor facilities for Factory Acceptance Testing as required. 

This position is based near Little Rock, Arkansas and is part of a 4–5 year contract. During the first year, remote work is permitted. After the first year, the selected candidate will be required to either reside within commuting distance of Little Rock, AR or be willing to relocate to the area.

What You'll Be Doing: 

Process Utility Specialists ensure that the supporting utility infrastructure—compressed air, process gases, cooling water, specialized HVAC, exhaust, pressure cascades, and related systems—performs reliably and safely under the demanding conditions of energetic and hazardous process environments. You will work across multi-party teams to verify that these systems meet design intent, support production equipment, and are ready for sustained operations. 

• Lead or support technical validation of hazardous and critical process utility systems serving defense manufacturing and high-hazard process facilities. 

• Develop, review, and refine commissioning, start-up, and operational readiness requirements, plans, and procedures for process utility systems. 

• Direct, witness, and validate Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), Pre-Functional Checks, Functional Performance Tests, and Integrated Systems Testing for critical utility systems. 

• Verify performance of specialized HVAC, hazardous exhaust, pressure cascade, cooling, process gas, compressed air, and related utility systems under design and operational conditions. 

• Support integrated operational readiness validation of utility systems that interface with production equipment and safety-critical processes. 

• Review design submittals, specifications, and O&M documentation for process utility systems; identify gaps affecting operability, maintainability, or safety. 

• Maintain issue, nonconformance, and retest registers related to utility systems; drive timely, team-oriented resolution. 

• Coordinate utility interfaces with process equipment, controls, and facility systems during start-up and turnover. 

• Prepare clear technical reports, readiness assessments, and briefings for project leadership, clients, and stakeholders. 

• Team with commissioning, process, and controls specialists; support mentoring of junior personnel and continuous improvement of Parsons’ process-utility commissioning practices. 

• Additional office locations or hybrid arrangements may be considered upon request consistent with project demands. 

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What Required Skills You'll Bring: 

• 5+ years of experience with hazardous utility systems and operational readiness testing in industrial, defense manufacturing, or high-hazard process environments.

• Demonstrated experience commissioning or validating critical process utilities such as specialized HVAC, hazardous exhaust, pressure cascades, process cooling, compressed gases, or similar systems. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline (ABET-accredited preferred). Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered. 

• Working knowledge of process safety concepts, utility system design and performance criteria, and applicable industrial or federal facility standards. 

• Hands-on experience with FAT/SAT, functional performance testing, integrated systems testing, and operational readiness verification of utility systems. 

• Ability to develop and review test plans, procedures, checklists, and readiness documentation for process utility systems. 

• Strong technical communication skills and the ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary project teams.

•  Ability and willingness to deploy to client manufacturing sites and federal installations for extended periods during design, construction, start-up, and readiness phases. 

• Must be able to pass a general background check. 

• Must be able to speak fluent English (ability to speak Korean a plus)

What Desired Skills You'll Bring: 

• Professional Engineer (PE) registration. 

• Prior experience in defense manufacturing, ammunition/energetics facilities, or other high-hazard process plants. 

• Experience with process safety management (PSM), mechanical integrity, or related utility reliability practices. 

• Familiarity with industrial control interfaces for utility systems and basic understanding of ICS/SCADA environments. 

• ASQ, commissioning, or equivalent professional certifications. 

• Prior hands-on or trades experience with mechanical, HVAC, or process piping systems highly desirable.