Assistant Plant Engineer

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartRecruiters, Inc. seeks an Assistant Plant Engineer to oversee maintenance and engineering operations, ensuring equipment and facilities operate at peak efficiency with minimal downtime.

You will lead projects and coordinate with the Plant Engineer on schedules, safety, and environmental standards. Responsibilities include implementing TPM and predictive maintenance, driving capital projects from conception to post-approval, and optimizing resources to boost capacity while controlling costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with 5+ years in manufacturing.
• 2+ years in a leadership role including team development and management.
• PLC and ammonia refrigeration experience is required.
• Food manufacturing background preferred; meat/harvest experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage maintenance and engineering operations to minimize downtime and keep production lines running efficiently.
• Develop and manage capital projects from development through post-approval with on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Collaborate with Plant Engineer on scheduling and ensure safety, food safety and environmental standards.
• Lead Maintenance Department implementing TPM, preventive/predictive maintenance, and continuous improvement.
• Optimize resources to maximize output, reduce downtime, and cut costs while increasing plant capacity.

Skills

Leadership & team management

Project scheduling

Safety & environmental standards

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

PLC

Ammonia refrigeration

Job description

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. 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.

Qualifications

• 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.