Assistant Plant Engineer

6 Degrees Search; Denison (IA); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

6 Degrees Search in Denison, IA is seeking an Assistant Plant Engineer – 1st shift to manage maintenance and engineering operations, keeping equipment and facilities in top condition and production running smoothly. You will lead the Maintenance Department, drive TPM and OEE, manage capital projects, and ensure safety, quality, and regulatory standards across the plant.

Requires a Bachelor’s in Engineering, 5+ years in manufacturing, 2+ years in leadership, PLC and ammonia refrigeration

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field and 5+ years in manufacturing.
• 2+ years in a leadership role with team development.
• PLC and ammonia refrigeration experience required.
• Food manufacturing background preferred (meat/kiln experience).
• Proficiency with CMMS and Microsoft Office suite.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and safety focus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee maintenance and engineering operations to minimize downtime.
• Lead capital projects and ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Collaborate with Plant Engineer on scheduling and safety compliance.
• Drive TPM, preventive/predictive maintenance and OEE improvements.
• Develop and monitor KPIs for maintenance performance.
• Lead and coach maintenance team; enforce safety standards.
• Optimize resource scheduling to maximize output and minimize downtime.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Maintenance knowledge

Safety leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

CMMS

PLC/SCADA

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Plant Engineer – 1st shift

Location: Denison, Iowa

Salary: $115K – 140K plus bonus

Job Summary of the Assistant Plant Engineer:

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.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Assistant Plant Engineer:

• Responsible for capital project development and post-approval management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to plant operations.
• Collaborate closely with the Plant Engineer, to manage project scheduling and execution, ensuring all projects meet safety, food safety, and environmental standards.
• 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.
• Optimize resource scheduling to ensure maximum work output while minimizing downtime, reducing costs, and boosting plant capacity to decrease the unscheduled downtime and increase plant efficiency.
• Lead the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and ensuring clear work responsibilities are assigned.
• Act as the champion of plant safety to drive and enforce safety standards through training, procedure implementation, and continuous monitoring.
• Work with the Plant Engineer to develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and report maintenance performance, including supplier effectiveness, equipment reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Lead a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

Education & Experience Requirements of the Assistant Plant Engineer:

• 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 including team development and management, required.
• PLC and ammonia refrigeration experience is a must have.
• Food manufacturing background required, meat or kill floor/harvest floor experience a plus.
• 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.