ASSISTANT PLANT ENGINEER - 2ND SHIFT

JBS Foods; Marshalltown (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

JBS Foods seeks an Assistant Plant Engineer to oversee equipment reliability and downtime targets across the Marshalltown plant, including fabrication, slaughter, and utilities. You will lead training for hourly and salaried staff and support safety programs while driving efficiency.

You will evaluate utility systems such as steam, ammonia refrigeration, and air systems, propose capital projects, and coordinate with contractors.

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong people skills.
• Extensive ammonia refrigeration, steam generation, and air compressor knowledge.
• Experience with maintenance supervision and plant safety practices.
• Willingness to work 40+ hours per week in a manufacturing environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensure reliability of plant equipment and meet downtime/operational goals for fabrication, slaughter, warehousing, and utilities.
• Develop capital investments and manage contractors to improve plant profitability and performance.
• Maintain communication with operations and other departments to address performance issues and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Communication skills

Ammonia refrigeration

Steam generation

Air compression

Conveying systems

Variable frequency drives

Sanitary conditions

MS Office (Word/Excel)

Supervisory skills

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or GED

College experience recommended

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Assistant Plant Engineer

Division/Department: Pork

Location: Marshalltown

Job title: Assistant Plant Engineer

Reports to: Ron Hesse

Salaried Grade: Exempt

Type of position: Full-time

Must Be Flexible

Hours: 2nd shift

Shift Varies

Must Be Flexible

General Description

• Insure reliability of plant equipment and establish and meet downtime and operational goals per shift for the fabrication and slaughter areas as well as for outlying areas such as warehousing, waste water treatment, etc. Manage training programs to maintain the skill level of the hourly and salaried workforce. Motivate interest in, and insure compliance with, stringent plant safety programs while maintaining high levels of labor efficiency and effectiveness in responding to breakdowns and plant interruptions. Maintain close communications with operations and other plant departments and develop an appreciation for overall plant performance issues in all employees within the department. Assist the Plant VP in assuring continuous plant improvement.
• Insure reliable and cost effective operation of utility systems that are on line continuously. This includes steam generation, ammonia refrigeration, air compression, electrical distribution and others. Develop capital investment ideas that support overall plant profitability and develop and maintain the organizational capability to accomplish these projects. Develop and maintain contractors and vendors to supplement plant resources. Represent the corporation in dealing with these outside firms. Evaluate the performance of superintendents and foreman; take corrective or remedial action as needed. Represent the entire plant's needs and point of view in discussions with corporate engineering, regarding technical standards, project scope development and accomplishment.

Required skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Must be able to demonstrate effective people skills. Extensive background in ammonia refrigeration, steam generation, air compressor technology, chain drives, all types of conveying systems, variable frequency motor controls, maintenance of sanitary conditions. Job responsibilities typically require extended hours
• Basic computer skills and proficiency with basic office software (Word and Excel)
• Supervisory Skills - Maintenance and Utilities Superintendents, Administrative Assistant and Planners Previous mechanical and related experience required.
• Considerable knowledge of occupational hazards and safety precautions.
• Work 40+ hours per week in all areas of the plant.
• Be able to communicate verbally and in written form in English
• Considerable knowledge of the methods, materials, tools and practices used in the building, mechanical and electrical trades.

Education Requirements (if applicable)

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• College experience recommended.

Approved by

Marisela Ramirez

Title: Employment Manager

Posting Date: 09/10/2026 Closing Date: Until Filled

Position is not eligible for sponsorship of external candidates.

Applications without a resume will be disqualified

JBS is an Equal Opportunity Employer

EOE, INCLUDING DISABILITY/VETS