Assistant Plant Engineer

Smithfield Fresh Meats Corp; Denison (IA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Comprehensive benefits

Be Well programs

Job summary

Smithfield is seeking an Assistant Plant Engineer to lead maintenance and engineering operations in a manufacturing plant. You will drive capital project delivery, implement advanced maintenance strategies, and oversee the maintenance team to minimize downtime and boost plant efficiency.

You will collaborate with the Plant Engineer to align resources, safety standards, and environmental compliance while building world-class maintenance capabilities across the facility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or related field; 5+ years of manufacturing experience.
• 2+ years in a leadership role with team development.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems and work order processes.

Responsibilities

• Take charge of capital project development and post-approval management, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
• Lead maintenance systems development including preventive/predictive maintenance and TPM to minimize downtime.
• Manage maintenance staff and safety, assign responsibilities, and enforce policies for a safe, productive environment.
• Provide daily support to operating teams, troubleshoot issues, and resolve equipment failures quickly.
• Develop and maintain KPIs to track maintenance performance and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Leadership

Team development

CPMMS systems

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS

PLCs

Instrumentation

MS Office

Job description

When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that’s sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

THE VALUE YOU’LL BRING:

As a key member of our Engineering team, you'll dive deep into data analysis, crafting innovative plans to optimize our production processes. Your mission is to uncover opportunities to drive efficiencies, reduce waste, and cut operating costs, making a direct impact on our bottom line. You'll play a crucial role in the manufacturing of beloved brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and others, ensuring we meet and exceed the needs of our customers and consumers. As the Assistant Plant Engineer, reporting to the Plant Engineer, you’ll take charge of managing the maintenance and engineering operations within the plant, ensuring the building and equipment remain in top condition. Your efforts will minimize mechanical downtime and keep production lines running at peak efficiency. You’ll be at the helm of developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems that align with the principles of High‑Performing Manufacturing Organizations (including Preventative/Predictive Maintenance, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and more). Your work will help us build a world‑class maintenance strategy, contributing directly to our operational success. You will also lead engineering efforts within your location to ensure our manufacturing process remain state of the art in both technology and performance.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Engineering Project Development: You’ll take charge of capital project development and post-approval management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to plant operations. Collaborating closely with the Plant Engineer, you’ll manage project scheduling and execution, ensuring all projects meet safety, food safety, and environmental standards.
• Maintenance Systems: You will lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with High-Performing Manufacturing Organizations, including Preventive/Predictive Maintenance, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and more. By optimizing resource scheduling, you'll ensure maximum work output while minimizing downtime, reducing costs, and boosting plant capacity. The outcome? A significant decrease in unscheduled downtime and a major increase in plant efficiency.
• Maintenance Staff & Safety: You’ll empower and lead the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and ensuring clear work responsibilities are assigned. As the champion of plant safety, you'll drive and enforce safety standards through training, procedure implementation, and continuous monitoring. Your leadership will foster a safer, more productive work environment where employees feel supported and motivated to excel.
• Solutions & Troubleshooting: You’ll be the problem-solving expert the plant relies on! You’ll drive long‑term solutions while providing daily support to operating teams, troubleshooting issues, analyzing problems, and resolving equipment failures quickly. Your expertise will keep the plant running smoothly with minimal repetitive issues, creating a positive, efficient work atmosphere where challenges are met with swift and effective solutions.
• Key Performance Indicators: Working with the Plant Engineer, you’ll develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and report maintenance performance, including supplier effectiveness, equipment reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Your strategic oversight will provide the insights needed to continually improve maintenance operations and drive long‑term success.
• People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

WHAT WE’RE SEEKING:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or related field and 5+ years of related experience in a manufacturing environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 2+ years' experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.
• Possess thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and CMMS systems.
• Possess advanced technical skills in the mechanical and/or electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical systems, etc).
• Must be able to lead resource planning and management efforts in a large manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
• Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment, interpret and communicate results.
• Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and oral formats.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills required.
• May be required to work long hours and weekends.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands described here are representative of those an employee should possess to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Office and plant setting. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision includes close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and talk or hear.

RELOCATION PACKAGE:

• Relocation Package Available Yes

Benefits:

• Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers.
• Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost.
• These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more.
• Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential.
• Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on-demand courses, professional certificates, and skill-based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs.
• Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high-potential talent.
• We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

EEO INFORMATION:

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

ABOUT US:

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan's Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. "Good food. Responsibly." is more than just our tagline; it’s what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities.