Engineering Specialist

ingredion; Cardinal; On-site; CAD 134,000 - 191,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards package

Wellness support

Tuition reimbursement

Career growth

Job summary

Ingredion is seeking a Sr. Project Engineer to lead capital and continuous improvement projects at our Cedar Rapids facility. You will guide projects through concept to handover, ensuring safety, cost control, and schedule adherence while aligning with manufacturing goals.

The role requires a university degree in engineering and 5+ years in the food industry, with strong problem-solving, communication, and leadership capabilities to drive value across operations.

Qualifications

• University degree in Applied Sciences in Mechanical, Chemical, or Food Engineering.
• 5+ years of related work experience in the food industry or similar manufacturing business preferred.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking with sound technical ability.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage capital and continuous improvement projects.
• Work with contractors and vendors to specify equipment and installations.
• Ensure regulatory and company compliance with standards and procedures.
• Demonstrate leadership in safety and environmental stewardship.
• Provide troubleshooting assistance to the plant.
• Collaborate with production and engineering teams to improve safety, product quality, and efficiency.
• Lead root cause analyses and implement solutions.
• Oversee concept, design, estimating, purchasing, installation, start-up, commissioning, and closure of capital projects.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Leadership potential

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

Time management

Problem solving

Education

University degree in Applied Sciences (Mechanical, Chemical, or Food Engineering)

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Job description

Sr. Project Engineer

About Ingredion: Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you've experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet's food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you're just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

As a Sr. Project Engineer, you will be responsible for the management and execution of capital and technical improvement projects at the Cedar Rapids facility. This role leads projects through all engineering phases - including concept development, planning, budgeting, detailed design, construction, commissioning, startup, training, and handover to manufacturing- while ensuring safe execution, cost control, schedule adherence, and compliance with engineering and regulatory standards.

The Project Engineer works closely with operations, maintenance, safety, procurement, and external engineering and construction partners to deliver value-driven projects aligned with business goals.

What you will do:

• Develop and manage capital and continuous improvement projects.
• Work with contractors and vendors to specify equipment and installations.
• Ensure regulatory and company compliance with all applicable standards, procedures, and best working practices.
• Demonstrate good practices and leadership in safety and environmental stewardship.
• Provide troubleshooting assistance to the plant.
• Work with the production, engineering, and other plant teams to improve safety, product quality, and production efficiencies.
• Actively participate in Root Cause Analysis discussions and implement solutions as identified.
• Responsible for concept, design, estimating, proposal submittal, purchasing, installation, start-up, commissioning, documentation, training, and closure of capital projects.
• Utilize methodologies including Project Management, Continuous Improvement, Root Cause Analysis, Effective Communication, 5S, where appropriate.
• Demonstrate that completed projects meet the design objectives.
• Coordinating activities with individuals from other functional areas within the company to support overall business strategy and goals.
• Maintaining open communication with departmental personnel.
• Providing exceptional customer service to all internal and external customers.
• Assist in mentoring of less experienced engineers.

What you will bring:

• Possess strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with engineers with a variety of experience
• Work effectively in a team environment, build consensus, and foster relationships at multiple organizational levels and across different functions.
• Demonstrate a degree of sound judgment, resourcefulness, initiative, and innovation in handling complex technical assignments, with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrate leadership potential, and be well-organized and team-oriented.

Who you are:

• University degree in Applied Sciences in Mechanical, Chemical, or Food Engineering discipline.
• At least five years of related work experience in the food industry or similar manufacturing business is preferred. Salary and title to be commensurate with experience.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Sound technical ability and experience.
• Good project management skills.
• Knowledge of engineering and unit operations relevant to the corn wet milling industry, such as basic chemistry, heat and material balances, mechanical and physical/chemical separations and energy management.
• Ability to troubleshoot problems, identify opportunities or improvements, make recommendations, implement action plans, and follow up to assure effective results.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the use of personal computers to prepare reports, spreadsheets, and presentations using MS Windows-based programs (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel)
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to effect change through persuasion and good communication.
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Multi-tasking and time management skills.
• Ability to deal with ambiguity.

Why Join Ingredion?

• Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career with our exceptional rewards and benefits package designed to help you thrive. Create the future with us and enjoy:
• Total Rewards Package - Competitive salary and performance-based pay recognizing your contributions to our success
• Comprehensive Benefits & Wellness Support - Health, long-term savings, and resources for your physical, mental, and emotional well-being
• Career Growth - Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement
• Employee Recognition Program - A culture of real-time appreciation, with personalized recogni