Capex Engineer — Lead Food Plant Projects

U.S. Waffle Company; Hazelwood (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Waffle Company is seeking a Capex Engineer in Hazelwood, MO to lead capital projects for a state‑of‑the‑art food manufacturing plant. The role requires strong project management, electrical/mechanical systems knowledge, and hands‑on startup support.

The successful candidate will manage scopes, timelines, budgets, and contractor coordination, ensuring on‑time startup and a smooth transition to operations with rigorous quality standards in a fast‑paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Food Engineering, or related field).
• 3+ years of experience in project and process engineering, including managing large and complex projects within food manufacturing or related industry.
• Solid understanding of industrial electrical systems, automation, mechanical systems, pneumatics, and fluid handling.
• Experience interpreting P&IDs, electrical schematics, and mechanical drawings.
• Proven ability to quickly learn new product-specific processes and lead engineering projects; strong knowledge of general manufacturing processes and technologies.
• Familiarity with food safety regulations and quality assurance standards (FDA/USDA/SQF/GMP) is a plus.
• PMP or equivalent certification is advantageous.
• Proficient with project management software and engineering tools.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define project scopes and develop accurate cost estimates.
• Develop and manage detailed project timelines (Gantt charts).
• Lead and oversee large and complex projects, ensuring budget, scope and schedule objectives are met.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external contractors with clear roles and accountability.
• Handover projects after startup and provide ongoing support to process owners during transition.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and meet quality expectations.
• Maintain detailed project schedules with daily/weekly tracking and risk management.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Can‑do attitude

High performance mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

Project management software

Engineering tools

Job description

U.S. Waffle Company is seeking a Capex Engineer in Hazelwood, MO to lead capital projects for a state‑of‑the‑art food manufacturing plant. The role requires strong project management, electrical/mechanical systems knowledge, and hands‑on startup support.

The successful candidate will manage scopes, timelines, budgets, and contractor coordination, ensuring on‑time startup and a smooth transition to operations with rigorous quality standards in a fast‑paced environment.