Plant Engineer

Kaiser Aluminum; Newark (OH); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaiser Aluminum in Newark, Ohio, is seeking a Plant Project Engineer to lead engineering projects within our heavy industrial facility, delivering safe, on-time results.

You will plan scopes, schedules, and budgets; coordinate design, procurement, and construction activities; and supervise contractors and hourly staff.

This onsite role requires strong communication, teamwork, and the ability to drive reliability improvements while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, or related)
• 5+ years of project engineering experience in heavy industrial/manufacturing facilities
• Strong knowledge of industrial equipment and construction practices
• Familiarity with OSHA, EPA, and regulatory requirements
• Experience working in a union environment

Responsibilities

• Plan, coordinate, and execute engineering projects within a heavy industrial facility.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Provide technical oversight for mechanical, electrical, civil, or process systems.
• Coordinate design, procurement, construction, and vendor activities.
• Communicate status to leadership and support operating and maintenance processes.

Skills

Communication skills

Teamwork

Project coordination

Safety awareness

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Kaiser Aluminum is known around the world for its superior quality. Our secret is what we put into it—innovative thinking, industry-leading reliability, and a world-class commitment to customer service. In short, the same qualities we look for in our people. We are looking for a Plant Project Engineer to join Kaiser Aluminum Operations in Newark, Ohio!

The Plant Project Engineer will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing engineering projects within a heavy industrial facility. This role ensures projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with all regulatory and quality standards. The Project Engineer acts as the technical liaison between management, contractors, and operations teams. The individual in this role will report to the Maintenance and Engineering Manager and have responsibility for supervising contractors and hourly employees as needed.

This is an onsite position. At this time, we are not able to offer visa sponsorship for this role, either now or in the future. Therefore, we cannot move forward with candidates who would require sponsorship and or are on (e.g., H-1B, F-1, STEM OPT, OPT) visas.

What you will work on:

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and enforce strict adherence to safety protocols.
• Ensure projects meet environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation strategies.

Project Planning & Execution

• Develop detailed project scopes, schedules, and budgets.
• Coordinate engineering design, procurement, and construction activities.
• Monitor project progress and implement corrective actions when necessary.

Technical Oversight

• Provide engineering expertise in mechanical, electrical, civil, or process systems.
• Review and approve technical drawings, specifications, and vendor documentation.
• Ensure compliance with industry codes, standards, and facility requirements.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and management teams.
• Manage contractors and vendors to ensure quality and timely delivery.
• Communicate project status updates to leadership and stakeholders.
• Transfer and support project information into the operating and maintenance process.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reduce costs, and enhance reliability.
• Support facility upgrades, expansions, and modernization initiatives.

What you will bring to the role:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, or related discipline).
• Five plus (5+) years of experience in project engineering within heavy industrial, manufacturing, or metal facilities.
• Strong knowledge of industrial equipment, systems, and construction practices.
• Heavy to light manufacturing maintenance experience-including machining, fabrication, pipe fitting, mobile equipment, and electrical.
• Familiarity with OSHA, EPA, and other regulatory requirements.
• Request for funding documentation.
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal) and organizational skills.
• Proven ability to work in teams.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience in a Union environment.
• Be energetic, disciplined and focused on a team building operational organization.
• Have well developed interpersonal and business partnering skills, with the ability to quickly adapt to, be accepted by, and interrelate with the organization at all levels.
• Is able to maintain a high level of output without sacrificing quality of work.
• Be able to adapt and respond effectively to changing priorities in an intense manufacturing environment.
• Is steadily improving the department’s contribution to the organization
• Be willing to work flexible hours, afternoons, nights, weekends, as needed for project schedule. Approximately 60% of the job function is performed in an office setting requiring normal safety precautions. 40% of the job function is required in the plant. There is exposure to hot metal, operating machinery and a manufacturing environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered based on job-related qualifications and abilities. There shall be no discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran, or disability status.

About Kaiser Aluminum:

Talented people join our team because we are a company passionate about environmental sustainability, employee growth, contributing back to our communities and championing an inclusive culture.