Principal Electrical Manufacturing Engineer I

Altria; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 173,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PTO 15 days

13 paid holidays

37.5-hour workweek

401(k) matching

Deferred Profit Sharing

Professional development stipends

Healthcare (medical, dental, vision)

Parental and bonding leave

Job summary

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company, part of Altria, seeks a Principal Manufacturing Engineer I to join the Packaging Engineering team in Richmond, VA. You will lead capital projects, develop electrical designs, and provide senior technical guidance across multiple shifts in a regulated facility.

You will coordinate with Maintenance, Operations, Safety, Facilities, and external partners to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance while driving continuous improvement in packaging operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record in multiple-discipline engineering project management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with packaging equipment, vision systems, product traceability and MES systems preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute capital equipment and facility projects from concept development through design, installation, commissioning, qualification, and turnover.
• Develop electrical designs, specifications, scopes of work, cost estimates, schedules, and implementation plans that meet business, operational, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide senior-level electrical engineering support, design reviews, and technical guidance to engineers and project managers across the group.
• Review vendor and OEM electrical designs, drawings, calculations, equipment specifications, and submittals to verify technical quality, code compliance, maintainability, and alignment with site standards.
• Serve as the site subject-matter expert for electrical equipment safety and compliance with applicable electrical codes, standards, and company requirements.
• Provide technical leadership for facility electrical systems, including electrical distribution, power and controls infrastructure, grounding, hazardous-area requirements, and related utility systems.
• Provide engineering oversight and technical support for explosion suppression equipment and other asset-preservation systems that protect personnel, facilities, and manufacturing assets.
• Partner with Maintenance, Operations, Safety, Facilities, Procurement, and external engineering resources to resolve complex electrical issues, manage project risks, and deliver reliable, compliant solutions.
• Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, reliability improvements, and lifecycle planning for electrical equipment and facility systems.
• Establish and maintain electrical engineering standards, specifications, documentation, and technical practices for use across projects and the facility.
• Drive compliance with respect to fixed asset management
• Work within an integrated work system environment to grow and support continuous improvement culture and processes

Skills

Electrical engineering

Project management

Manufacturing experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

MES systems

Vision systems

Packaging equipment

Job description

U.S. Smokeless Tobacco Company is seeking a results driven Manufacturing Engineer to join our Packaging Engineering team in Richmond, VA.

As the Principal Manufacturing Engineer I, you will support Maintenance and Engineering operations across our high-impact packaging facility. You will ensure that operations, maintenance, safety, and cost objectives are consistently met in a multi-shift, 7-day operation within a highly regulated (FDA) environment.

What you will be doing:

• Lead and execute capital equipment and facility projects from concept development through design, installation, commissioning, qualification, and turnover.
• Develop electrical designs, specifications, scopes of work, cost estimates, schedules, and implementation plans that meet business, operational, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide senior-level electrical engineering support, design reviews, and technical guidance to engineers and project managers across the group.
• Review vendor and OEM electrical designs, drawings, calculations, equipment specifications, and submittals to verify technical quality, code compliance, maintainability, and alignment with site standards.
• Serve as the site subject-matter expert for electrical equipment safety and compliance with applicable electrical codes, standards, and company requirements.
• Provide technical leadership for facility electrical systems, including electrical distribution, power and controls infrastructure, grounding, hazardous-area requirements, and related utility systems.
• Provide engineering oversight and technical support for explosion suppression equipment and other asset-preservation systems that protect personnel, facilities, and manufacturing assets.
• Partner with Maintenance, Operations, Safety, Facilities, Procurement, and external engineering resources to resolve complex electrical issues, manage project risks, and deliver reliable, compliant solutions.
• Support troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, reliability improvements, and lifecycle planning for electrical equipment and facility systems.
• Establish and maintain electrical engineering standards, specifications, documentation, and technical practices for use across projects and the facility.
• Drive compliance with respect to fixed asset management
• Work within an integrated work system environment to grow and support continuous improvement culture and processes

What we want you to have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven track record in multiple-discipline engineering project management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with packaging equipment, vision systems, product traceability and MES systems preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Must be able to safely perform the duties within a general office area and all areas of the manufacturing environment as well as have the ability to climb, crawl, kneel, and walk in manufacturing areas.

The starting salary is based on but not limited to experience, knowledge, and qualifications in determining compensation decisions. The Salary Range for this position is: $119,600.00 - $173,450.00.

Why You’ll Love Building Your Career at Altria

At Altria, we believe a great career starts with feeling supported — both at work and in life. Here’s what you’ll find here:

• Own your time — start with 15 days of paid time off, 13 paid holidays, and a 37.5-hour workweek so you can recharge and live fully.
• A place where you belong — where your ideas are welcomed, your growth is encouraged, and your impact is real.
• Get recognized for your work — annual merit increases and performance bonus.
• A future you can count on — 401(k) matching from day one; plus Deferred Profit Sharing, an annual company contribution in an amount equal to 13%–17% of your base salary.
• Help with your goals — get help with student loan repayment assistance, attend a conference, or gain a new certification with professional development stipends.
• Support for what matters most — comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your family.
• Celebrating your milestones — paid parental and bonding leave for life’s biggest moments.
• Wellness that goes beyond work — programs that care for your whole well-being at whatever stage you are in your life.
• A culture that gives back — paid volunteer days and a shared commitment to making a difference.

At Altria, we offer more than benefits — we offer a career that fits your life, rewards your ambition, and celebrates your impact.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.