Principal Engineer - Packaging Equipment

Conagra Brands; United States; Hybrid; USD 109,000 - 159,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Bonus opportunity

401(k) match

Stock purchase plan

Career development

Tuition assistance

Job summary

Conagra Brands is seeking a Corporate Engineering leader to drive value through automation and continuous improvement across packaging operations. You will lead strategies, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and deliver optimized technical solutions aligned with business goals.

The role emphasizes front-end loading, cost/schedule/risk management, and regulatory compliance within a food manufacturing context.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Packaging Engineering.
• 7+ years in food manufacturing with packaging system design.
• Experience leading teams and solving complex technical challenges.
• Subject matter expertise in packaging equipment for food production lines.
• Experience with machine design in USDA/FDA regulated environments.
• Demonstrated success implementing automation and robotic solutions.
• Experience in project engineering and project execution.
• Knowledge of continuous improvement in engineering design.
• Experience translating project requirements into technical solutions.
• Strong experience in packaging equipment engineering and practical application.
• Willingness to travel up to 50 percent.

Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, rollout, and govern key strategies and programs across the manufacturing platform.
• Develop labor-reducing and cost-saving automation projects with SMEs and OEMs.
• Stay current with industry regulations and improve programs, policies, and goals.
• Provide technical and economic feasibility analyses to support initiatives.
• Develop Front End Loading packages with layouts, infrastructure, and acceptance criteria.
• Partner with engineering teams to set cost, schedule, risk, and startup requirements.
• Write detailed functional control descriptions for unit operations and processing systems.
• Lead site surveys and support plant operations as needed.

Skills

Team leadership

Packaging equipment engineering

Automation and robotics

Project engineering & execution

Continuous improvement

Regulatory compliance (USDA/FDA)

Requirement translation to technicals

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Packaging Engineering

Job description

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you will provide technical leadership to identify and develop strategies and projects that deliver the highest value business benefit to the company. You will work with cross functional teams to review requirements and develop optimized technical solutions that fit business needs. This is a Corporate Engineering role supporting manufacturing operations through innovation, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives.

A Taste of Your Responsibilities

• Identify, develop, rollout, and provide governance for key strategies and programs across the manufacturing platform
• Use subject matter expertise, third party engineering partners, and original equipment manufacturers to develop labor reducing and cost saving automation projects
• Stay current with industry regulations and codes related to packaging equipment system design and operations, and provide recommendations to improve programs, policies, and goals
• Provide technical and economic feasibility analysis to support business initiatives that deliver competitive advantages
• Develop Front End Loading packages that are complete, clear, and reflect due diligence to ensure project success, including:
  • Technology assessments and recommended solutions aligned to plant, company, and industry best practices
  • Physical location layouts and general arrangement drawings
  • Infrastructure requirements and needs assessments
  • Equipment acceptance criteria and support of testing and acceptance trials
  • Equipment and system performance criteria
  • Identification of alternatives, prerequisites, risks, and opportunities
• Partner with engineering teams to establish cost, schedule, risk, and startup requirements for projects
• Write detailed functional control descriptions for unit operations and processing systems
• Perform reviews of Front End Loading packages or equivalent deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, and operational effectiveness
• Develop rough order of magnitude estimates to provide early business case direction
• Troubleshoot and drive continuous improvement of existing packaging operations
• Lead machine design improvements and equipment modifications
• Conduct production plant site surveys and assessments, and provide support to sites as needed

Ingredients Required for Your Success

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Packaging Engineering

• 7 + years of experience in food manufacturing with packaging system design

• Experience leading teams and solving complex technical challenges

• Subject matter expertise in one or more areas of food production line packaging equipment

• Experience with machine design and working in a United States Department of Agriculture or Food and Drug Administration regulated manufacturing environment

• Demonstrated success developing and implementing automation and robotic solutions

• Experience in project engineering and project execution

• Knowledge of continuous improvement applications within engineering design

• Experience translating project requirements into technical solutions through sound engineering principles

• Strong experience in packaging equipment engineering and practical application

• This position is located in Omaha NE, Chicago IL, select field locations or remote locations east of Denver, CO and within reasonable proximity (50 miles) to a major airport

• Willingness to travel up to 50 percent to support plant operations

#LI-Remote
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Compensation

Pay Range:$109,000-$159,000

The annual salary listed above is the expected offering for this position. An employee’s actual annual salary will be based on but not limited to: location, relevant experience/level and skillset, while balancing internal Conagra employees’ equity.Conagra Brands will comply with applicable law regarding minimum salaries for exempt employees.

Anticipated Close Date

October 28, 2026

Our Benefits

We care about your total well-being and will support you with the following, subject to your location and role:

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement

• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan

• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement

• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

Our Company

At Conagra Brands, we have a rich heritage of making great food. We aspire to have the most impactful, energized and inclusive culture in food. As a member of our 18,000+ person team across 40+ locations, you are empowered to reach your potential, make an impact and own your career. We’re in the business of building champions – within our people and our iconic brands like Birds Eye®, Slim Jim® and Reddi-Wip®.

Our focus on innovation extends beyond making great food, it also reflects our commitment to embracing new solutions that positively impact our team, the communities we serve and the health of our planet. Foodies Welcome.

Conagra Brands is an equal opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnic or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request.