Plant Engineer

Keystone Distinction Group; Mason City (IA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

Keystone Distinction Group is seeking a Plant Engineer in Mason City, Iowa. The ideal candidate will lead the maintenance and engineering department, ensuring optimal performance and innovation within a fast-paced plant environment.

The role requires a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, 8+ years of relevant experience, and advanced technical skills in mechanical and electrical fields. A focus on food manufacturing and team leadership is essential. A competitive salary of $125K – $155K plus bonus is offered.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant experience in engineering.
• Demonstrated team management and project leadership experience.
• Food manufacturing experience required.
• Advanced technical skills in mechanical/electrical fields.

Responsibilities

• Manage capital projects from concept to completion.
• Develop and implement cutting-edge maintenance systems.
• Lead the maintenance team, enforce policies, and guide work assignments.
• Drive continuous improvement by developing and tracking KPIs.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organizational planning

Analytical reasoning

Adaptability

Mechanical engineering

Technical skills in electrical fields

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Title: Plant Engineer

Location: Mason City, Iowa

Salary: $125K – $155K plus bonus

Job Summary of the Plant Engineer

As the leader of the maintenance and engineering department in a fast‑paced plant, the Plant Engineer will maintain top‑tier building and equipment performance, reduce mechanical downtime, and ensure seamless product flow. The role focuses on developing and implementing cutting‑edge maintenance systems—including Preventative and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and other high‑impact strategies—to keep the plant operating at peak efficiency while driving innovation and continuous improvement. The engineer will manage capital projects, lead the engineering team, and keep the facility state‑of‑the‑art for food manufacturing processes.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Plant Engineer

• Responsible for capital projects from concept to completion.
• Manage and schedule all project elements to ensure minimal disruption to plant operations, delivering projects on time, on budget, and without compromising safety, food safety, or environmental standards.
• Lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting‑edge maintenance systems that keep the plant operating at peak performance.
• Help drive Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and other high‑impact strategies, ensuring optimal scheduling that maximizes task completion with minimal downtime.
• Manage the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and guiding work assignments.
• Provide both short‑term fixes and long‑term solutions to everyday operational challenges, ensuring smooth daily operation with minimal recurring issues.
• Drive continuous improvement by developing and tracking Key Performance Indicators that measure the success of the maintenance function.

Education & Experience Requirements of Plant Engineer

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four‑year college or university in Engineering or related field and 8+ years’ relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management/development or project leadership.
• Food Manufacturing experience.
• Change Management experience.
• High level of leadership skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
• Advanced technical skills in the mechanical/electrical fields (e.g., PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical engineering) and ability to lead resource planning in a large manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
• Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment, interpret and communicate results.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel and Word.
• Capability to communicate and express ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and oral formats.
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills.