Project Engineer

AAK; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

AAK in Rotterdam is seeking a Project Engineer to own a diverse portfolio of CAPEX and engineering projects, guiding them from initial idea through execution to handover.

You will work at the heart of our operations, delivering technical improvements across production, process and utility installations while collaborating with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Purchasing and external partners. It’s a hands‑on role with focus on safety, reliability and budget adherence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial or Process Engineering.
• 5+ years of project engineering/project management experience in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Proven experience delivering multidisciplinary CAPEX projects from concept through commissioning and handover.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage multiple small and medium‑sized CAPEX and engineering projects in parallel, from initiation through handover.
• Develop business cases, technical scopes and project budgets.
• Coordinate mechanical, electrical, automation and civil engineering activities.
• Prepare RFQs and technical specifications and support Purchasing with supplier selection.
• Manage contractors, on-site safety and site discipline in line with HSE procedures.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget control

Risk management

English fluency

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial or Process Engineering

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Project

AutoCAD

Job description

Our story goes back more than 150 years, to the chilly southern coast of Scandinavia. From our early success in Sweden and Denmark, we’ve grown into the world’s leading specialist producer of plant-based oils, employing more than 4,000 people across the globe.

We work with our customers to make the products you love even better. The oils we produce go into making your chocolate extra-creamy or putting the crunch into your croissant. And it’s not just food — we work across industries to make products that are higher quality, healthier and better for the planet.

Everything we do is about Making Better Happen™.

AAK Locations

This position is based in Rotterdam (NL)

About The Role

Are you an engineer who enjoys turning technical ideas into real improvements on the production floor? As Project Engineer at our Rotterdam site, you’ll take ownership of a diverse portfolio of CAPEX and engineering projects, leading them from the initial idea through execution to successful handover.

You will work at the heart of our operations, delivering technical improvements across production, process and utility installations while collaborating closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Purchasing and external partners. It’s a hands‑on role where you can see the direct impact of your work - improving safety, reliability and performance while ensuring projects are delivered on time and within budget.

This is a full‑time, site‑based position in Rotterdam, reporting to the Engineering Manager

Responsibilities

• Independently manage multiple small and medium‑sized CAPEX and engineering projects in parallel, from initiation and feasibility through execution, commissioning, handover and formal close‑out.
• Develop business cases, technical scopes and project budgets.
• Coordinate mechanical, electrical, automation and civil engineering activities.
• Prepare RFQs and technical specifications, carry out technical bid evaluations and support Purchasing with contractor and supplier selection.
• Manage contractors, consultants and equipment suppliers.
• Coordinate and supervise contractors on site on a daily basis during execution, covering work preparation, progress control, quality checks and site discipline.
• Ensure compliance with HSE, Food Safety, GMP and company engineering standards.
• Manage permit‑to‑work, LMRA and contractor safety coordination in line with site HSE procedures and applicable Dutch legislation.
• Manage procurement activities together with Purchasing.
• Prepare project schedules, risk assessments and resource plans.
• Plan and execute project work around production schedules, planned shutdowns and operational constraints, in alignment with Production and Maintenance.
• Conduct design reviews, FAT, SAT and commissioning activities.
• Manage project governance, including stage approvals, CAPEX authorization, Management of Change (MOC) and financial closure of completed projects.
• Maintain project documentation including drawings, specifications and as‑built documentation.
• Deliver a complete project handover to Operations and Maintenance, including as‑built drawings, O&M manuals, operator and technician training, spare parts lists and defined maintenance requirements.
• Report project progress, risks and financial performance to management.
• Support continuous improvement, sustainability and reliability initiatives.
• Work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Production and Global Engineering.

About You

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial or Process Engineering.
• 5+ years of project engineering/project management experience in an industrial manufacturing environment, ideally FMCG, food, chemical or process industries.
• Proven experience delivering multidisciplinary CAPEX projects from concept through commissioning and handover within operational manufacturing plants.
• Strong knowledge of engineering project management, mechanical/process/utility systems, budget and cost control, risk management, technical documentation and specifications.
• Experience managing contractors and suppliers, with practical knowledge of MOC, HAZOP and engineering safety principles.
• Proficiency in SAP, Microsoft Project and Office, and AutoCAD or similar CAD software.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, planning and decision‑making skills, with the ability to lead without direct authority.
• Able to manage multiple projects, proactively identify scope gaps and drive actions to completion with limited supervision.
• Fluent English; Dutch or willingness to learn Dutch is preferred.

Nice to have

• PMP, PRINCE2 or IPMA certification.
• Experience in FMCG/food manufacturing or chemical processing, particularly brownfield projects.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and regulations.
• Lean, TPM or Continuous Improvement experience.
• Experience working in an international or multinational organization.

About AAK

Everything AAK does is about Making Better Happen™. We specialize in plant‑based oils that are the value‑adding ingredients in many of the products people love to consume. We make these products better tasting, healthier, and more sustainable. At the heart of AAK’s offer is Customer Co‑Development, combining our desire to understand what better means for each customer, with the unique flexibility of our production assets, and deep knowledge of many products and industries, including Chocolate and confectionery, Bakery, Dairy, Plant‑based Foods, Special Nutrition, Foodservice and Personal Care. Our 4,000 employees support our close collaboration with customers through 25 regional sales offices, 15 dedicated Customer Innovation Centers, and the support of more than 20 production facilities. Listed on Nasdaq Stockholm and with our headquarters in Malmö, Sweden, AAK has been Making Better Happen™ for more than 150 years.

AAK prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, religion, veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under state or federal law in any aspect of the access to, admission, or treatment of students in its programs and activities, or employment and application for employment.