Job Description

Essential Functions and Role:

Under the supervision of the Vice President of Maintenance, Facilities and Engineering, the Plant Engineer provides engineering leadership for equipment, utilities, facility systems, and capital projects in support of plant objectives and applicable USDA, HACCP, GMP, and company standards. The role closely partners with Operations, Maintenance, Technical Services, EH&S, and Facilities to develop and implement engineering solutions that support equipment reliability, safe operations, delivery of targeted KPIs, and targeted improvement initiatives. support across manufacturing, packaging, utilities, and facility systems. The Plant Engineer is accountable for assigned engineering deliverables while providing technical support to improve safety, quality, and operational performance.

Responsibilities include:

• Equipment Reliability, Optimization & Continuous Improvement:

• Identify, evaluate, and implement equipment and system improvements that improve targeted KPIs.
• Analyze production, downtime, maintenance, and quality data to identify chronic losses and improvement opportunities.
• Lead equipment optimization initiatives focused on reducing downtime, improving OEE, and increasing operational capacity.
• Evaluate new technologies, equipment upgrades, and process improvements to support operational objectives.
• Develop engineering standards and best practices for equipment design, operation, and maintenance.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance initiatives through engineering analysis and equipment reliability improvements.
• Technical Engineering Support:
  • Serve as a primary technical resource for manufacturing equipment, process systems, utility systems, and facility infrastructure.
  • Provide engineering support for troubleshooting complex mechanical, electrical, controls, automation, and process-related issues.
  • Review equipment designs, specifications, drawings, and vendor proposals to ensure compliance with operational requirements and company standards.
  • Assist maintenance and operations teams in identifying sustainable solutions to recurring equipment failures.
  • Support equipment commissioning, startup, performance testing, and validation activities.
• Capital Project Development & Execution:
  • Develop project scopes, engineering specifications, budgets, schedules, and business justifications for capital investments. 
  • Lead capital projects from concept through design, procurement, installation, startup, and project closeout. 
  • Coordinate with internal stakeholders, contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers. 
  • Manage project budgets, schedules, risks, and deliverables to ensure successful project execution. 
  • Oversee contractor activities and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and plant standards. 
  • Prepare and present project updates to leadership teams.
  • Ensure project documentation, training, spare parts, and maintenance requirements are completed prior to project handoff.
  • Conduct post-project reviews to verify performance objectives and identify lessons learned.
• Project Management:
  • Establish project plans, milestones, resource requirements, and timelines. 
  • Manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining alignment with plant priorities. 
  • Facilitate project meetings and communicate progress to stakeholders. 
  • Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and maintained throughout the project lifecycle. 
  • Ensure project work is completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Root Cause Analysis & Problem Solving:
  • Serve as a technical resource and facilitator for Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations. 
  • Lead investigations into significant equipment failures, process interruptions, quality issues, and safety incidents. 
  • Utilize structured problem-solving methodologies such as: 
    • 5 Why Analysis 
    • Fishbone Diagrams 
    • Fault Tree Analysis 
    • Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) 
    • Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM)
  • Develop corrective and preventive actions that address true root causes. 
  • Verify effectiveness of corrective actions and ensure long-term sustainability.
• Safety, Quality & Compliance:
  • Support compliance with OSHA, EPA, USDA, GMP, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations.
  • Participate in Process Safety Management (PSM), food safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance initiatives as applicable. 
  • Conduct engineering risk assessments for equipment modifications and capital projects. 
  • Ensure engineering projects and equipment modifications meet company safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Cross-Functional Partnership & Communication:
  • Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Sanitation, EHS, and Facilities teams to achieve plant performance objectives.
  • Communicate project priorities, technical risks, equipment concerns, and improvement opportunities to site leadership.
  • Develop strong relationships with vendors, contractors, consultants, and equipment manufacturers.

Performance Expectations:

• Safety: 

• Zero recordable injuries associated with engineering-managed projects.
• All engineering-related safety concerns addressed with documented corrective actions and follow-up.

• Project Execution:

• Capital projects completed within approved scope, budget, and schedule expectations.
• Successful commissioning and handoff of projects with complete documentation and training.

• Equipment Reliability:

• Support reduction of unplanned downtime through engineered solutions and reliability improvements.
• Deliver measurable improvements in equipment performance, throughput, and operational efficiency.

• Root Cause Analysis:

• Root cause investigations completed in a timely manner with sustainable corrective actions implemented.
• Reduction in repeat equipment failures and recurring operational issues.

• Financial Performance:

• Capital and expense projects managed within approved budgets.
• Engineering initiatives deliver measurable cost savings, productivity improvements, or risk reduction.

Qualifications:

• Education & Experience:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering or related engineering discipline required.
  • Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in manufacturing, food processing, industrial processing, or related industries preferred.
  • Demonstrated experience managing capital projects from concept through implementation.
  • Experience with equipment troubleshooting, process optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Experience leading or participating in root cause analysis investigations.

• Skills & Abilities:
  • Strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, process, and automation systems.
  • Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, equipment drawings, and technical specifications.
  • Strong project management, organizational, and communication skills.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD or equivalent design software, and project management tools.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a hands-on approach to equipment and process improvement.
  • Ability to effectively communicate technical information to all levels of the organization.
• Additional Information:
  • Flexibility in hours may be necessary to support business needs, which will be planned out in advance.
  • Weekend work may be required to support production, projects, or equipment installation needs.
  • A valid driver’s license is required.

Physical Qualifications:

The physical requirements listed below are representative of those necessary to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Ability to safely and effectively perform all essential job duties.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, and torque equipment weighing up to 70 pounds.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, twist, kneel, reach, and move continuously for extended periods, up to 10–12 hours or the full duration of the shift.
• Ability to work at heights up to 17 feet and access elevated platforms, ladders, and equipment.
• Ability to work underneath, on, or around equipment, including in confined spaces as small as 2 feet by 2 feet.
• Ability to work in industrial food production environments that include wet, cold, uneven, sloped, or confined areas.
• Ability to perform troubleshooting and repair activities in a fast-paced, high-demand production environment.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE), including but not limited to hearing protection, hard hat, hair net, protective clothing, gloves, and arm protection.
• Ability to hear and respond to verbal instructions, equipment sounds, alarms, and emergency signals.
• Ability to read, interpret, and understand written materials, technical documents, and computer screens.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in English, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment, including computers, phones, and related technology, and perform administrative duties as required.
• Ability to work in both office and industrial production environments as needed.