Description

Position Summary:

The Plant Engineer plays a key role in driving technical excellence and continuous improvement in a fast-paced meat processing facility. This position focuses on supporting capital projects, equipment upgrades, and process enhancements, with a strong emphasis on mechanical engineering, plant infrastructure, and production systems. The Plant Engineer will collaborate cross-functionally with process engineering, operations, and maintenance teams to deliver engineering solutions that improve efficiency, capacity, and food safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and support capital improvement projects from planning through execution, including scope development, cost estimation, scheduling, and implementation.
• Apply mechanical engineering expertise to evaluate, specify, and implement equipment for meat processing, handling, and packaging lines.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and external vendors for the installation and commissioning of new systems and facility modifications.
• Collaborate with Process Engineers on process optimization, throughput improvement, and layout changes.
• Interact regularly with the Maintenance Department to ensure that new equipment designs and installations align with reliability and serviceability goals.
• Support the development of plant infrastructure, including utilities, automation upgrades, and mechanical systems.
• Prepare and maintain detailed project documentation, including technical specifications, drawings, equipment lists, and project status reports.
• Ensure engineering work complies with USDA, FDA, and OSHA standards, as well as corporate safety and quality requirements.
• Assist with facility planning and expansion efforts, including workflow modeling and equipment capacity analysis.
• Contribute to strategic engineering initiatives to drive long-term operational improvements and innovation.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering field.
• 7+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably within the food or meat industry.
• Strong mechanical engineering background, with working knowledge of food-grade design and sanitary equipment standards.
• Demonstrated experience in project planning, CAPEX budgeting, and execution of facility or equipment projects.
• Familiarity with production systems, process flow, and layout optimization.
• Proficient in engineering tools such as AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and Microsoft Project or equivalent software.
• Strong problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional environment and manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with food processing equipment and sanitary design standards.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing principles and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Understanding of utility systems (e.g., ammonia refrigeration, steam, compressed air) is a plus.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance in USDA and FDA environments.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.