Global Project Engineer

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense; Saint Charles (MO); Presencial; USD 110.000 - 160.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

AFB International seeks a seasoned Lead Project Engineer/Manager to drive complex capital projects across our manufacturing facilities. You will coordinate design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and closeout with site teams to ensure safe, on-time, and on-budget project delivery.

You will lead cross-functional teams, assess risks, manage budgets, and maintain clear documentation while upholding safety, quality, and regulatory standards across multiple projects.

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering or related discipline.
• At least five years of engineering and capital project experience in industrial manufacturing or process environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup and closeout.
• Strong knowledge of project scope development, estimating, scheduling, budgeting, procurement, construction, change control, and project closeout.
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities with accurate documentation and status reporting.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, layouts, P&IDs, specifications, equipment documentation, and contractor submittals.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Responsabilidades

• Lead project planning and governance across multiple initiatives, coordinating stakeholders and resources.
• Manage engineering, procurement, and construction activities with sound engineering judgment.
• Direct commissioning, startup, training, performance verification, and project turnover.
• Champion safety, quality, and compliance with OSHA, EHS and food safety expectations.
• Provide technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration to balance safety, quality, productivity, and cost.

Conocimientos

Project leadership

Engineering knowledge

Cross-functional leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Scheduling & budgeting

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering

Descripción del empleo

Help Shape the Future of AFB International

This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption. Click here to learn more.

What You’ll Do

You will lead multiple, complex projects while partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Finance, Supply Chain, Corporate Engineering, plant leadership, consultants, contractors, and suppliers. Your leadership will help ensure projects are executed safely, on schedule, within budget, and with minimal disruption to production.

Lead Project Planning and Governance

Develop project scopes, estimates, schedules, budgets, business cases, execution plans, and Capital Appropriation Requests. Establish project governance, risk registers, action tracking, change-control processes, reporting, and decision-making practices. Coordinate competing priorities, stakeholders, resources, and external partners across multiple projects.

Manage Engineering, Procurement, and Construction

Develop design criteria, technical specifications, bid packages, and procurement documents. Review drawings, layouts, P&IDs, electrical documents, equipment specifications, and contractor submittals. Coordinate consultants, contractors, equipment suppliers, bidding activities, contract negotiations, construction, field issues, and project changes. Apply sound engineering judgment to resolve technical and construction-related challenges.

Lead Commissioning, Startup, and Closeout

Direct commissioning, startup, training, performance verification, operational readiness, and project turnover. Partner with site teams to ensure new equipment and systems are safely integrated into operations. Complete punch lists, as-built documentation, manuals, warranties, spare-parts information, final cost reporting, and lessons learned. Ensure projects transition successfully from construction to reliable, sustainable operation.

Champion Safety, Quality, and Compliance

Ensure projects comply with AFB standards, applicable codes, OSHA and EHS requirements, food safety expectations, permitting requirements, and site procedures. Identify risks early and coordinate effective mitigation plans with project stakeholders. Promote a culture of safety, accountability, quality, and operational excellence throughout every phase of the project.

Provide Technical and Cross-Functional Leadership

Use data, root-cause analysis, and engineering expertise to identify opportunities for improvement. Develop recommendations that balance safety, quality, productivity, reliability, timing, and cost. Communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and nontechnical audiences. Lead project teams and influence outcomes across functions without relying on direct authority.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline from an accredited university.


• At least five years of engineering and capital project experience in an industrial manufacturing or process environment.


• Demonstrated experience leading projects through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and closeout.


• Strong knowledge of project scope development, estimating, scheduling, budgeting, procurement, construction, change control, and project closeout.


• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities while maintaining accurate documentation and status reporting.


• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, layouts, P&IDs, specifications, equipment documentation, and contractor submittals.


• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.


• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing capital projects valued at $1 million or more.


• Experience in food manufacturing, process manufacturing, or a similar regulated industrial environment.


• Working knowledge of industrial construction, equipment installation, process systems, manufacturing operations, and startup activities.


• Professional Engineer license, PMP certification, or advanced degree.

Leadership Responsibilities

This position provides functional leadership to project teams and directs the work of consultants, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and other project resources. The role may also mentor project engineers and site personnel. Direct reports are not required for this position.

Work Environment

This role works across office, manufacturing, construction, and active project environments. The position requires the ability to walk through manufacturing and construction areas, climb stairs or ladders, work around moving equipment, dust, noise, and temperature variations, and wear required personal protective equipment. Travel between AFB facilities and to vendor or contractor locations is expected. Occasional off-hours support may be required during critical project activities, commissioning, or startup. This position may be based at AFB International’s corporate office in St. Charles, Missouri, or at the Aurora, Missouri plant site.

Why Join AFB?

At AFB, you will have the opportunity to lead meaningful projects that directly impact our people, operations, customers, and the pets we serve around the world. You will work alongside talented professionals who value collaboration, innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.

EBI's 190-year history has been shaped by innovation and stewardship defining who we are today: a family-owned, independently led, and professionally managed company united by our people, Core Values, and Winning Vision. We invite you to explore our three strong businesses and discover how you can help shape the next chapter of our story.

Ensign-Bickford Industries founded in 1836, is a privately-owned high technology conglomerate that participates in businesses that are relevant to the future of the world and have multigenerational growth prospects. As One EBI, we innovate in science and technology for the safety, health, and well-being of society, creating exceptional long-term value.

AFB International AFB is the leader in pet food flavor enhancers. Ensuring product performance for pet food manufacturers—and their customers—is our business.

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