Hands-On Plant Engineering & Capital Projects Manager

Plant Based Innovations; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Plant Based Innovations, based in Portland, Oregon, seeks a hands-on Plant Engineering & Capital Projects Manager to lead capital projects, equipment sourcing, and plant-wide engineering efforts across Dairy/Food manufacturing.

You will collaborate with Operations and Maintenance to identify opportunities, solve technical problems, and drive projects from concept through startup, ensuring safety, reliability, and sanitary design excellence.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressively responsible engineering or manufacturing experience.
• Experience in dairy, food, beverage, or another sanitary manufacturing environment.
• Significant experience leading capital projects and managing OEMs, contractors, and engineering firms.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing equipment, processes, and sanitary/hygienic practices.
• Working knowledge of PLC, HMI, and industrial automation systems.
• Ability to read and understand P&IDs, electrical drawings, and equipment specifications.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, project management, organizational, communication, and vendor-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.
• Willingness to spend significant time on the plant floor.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects from concept through installation, commissioning, startup, and final acceptance.
• Source and evaluate equipment; develop budgets, schedules, specifications, and bid packages.
• Coordinate construction, installation, commissioning, startup; maintain documentation.
• Provide engineering support to manufacturing operations; optimize process performance and sanitary design.
• Provide technical leadership for plant automation and controls; define requirements with integrators.
• Partner with Production and Maintenance to improve reliability and address recurring problems.

Skills

Capital projects

Equipment sourcing

Automation & controls

Vendor management

Plant floor experience

Problem solving

Multidisciplinary engineering

Education

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

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

Siemens

Job description

Plant Based Innovations, based in Portland, Oregon, seeks a hands-on Plant Engineering & Capital Projects Manager to lead capital projects, equipment sourcing, and plant-wide engineering efforts across Dairy/Food manufacturing.

You will collaborate with Operations and Maintenance to identify opportunities, solve technical problems, and drive projects from concept through startup, ensuring safety, reliability, and sanitary design excellence.