Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer — Remote Impact Leader

schwans; Hopkins (MN); Remote; USD 107,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Time off programs

Retirement and financial offerings

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s seeks a Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer to lead safety, quality, waste reduction and efficiency across our manufacturing network. You’ll partner with Manufacturing, R&D, Continuous Improvement, and Capital Engineering to deploy enterprise-wide standards and capital projects.

The role may be based at our Hopkins, MN HQ or performed remotely with up to 50% travel to factory locations. You bring 8+ years of experience, a BS in engineering, and a track record in data analytics

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in manufacturing engineering.
• BS degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering.
• Experience in Food Manufacturing or CPG regulations (USDA, FDA, OSHA, EPA).
• Proven leadership in structured problem solving (Lean, Six-Sigma, TPM).
• Development and use of statistical models and data analytics.

Responsibilities

• Drive continuous improvement across manufacturing processing and packaging systems to enhance safety, quality, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Develop and deploy enterprise-wide manufacturing strategies, standards, and best practices to maximize operational performance and reduce variation.
• Lead high-impact cost savings, material optimization, and waste reduction initiatives across the manufacturing network.
• Partner with Manufacturing, R&D, and Capital Engineering to develop process and equipment standards and ensure successful implementation of new products, technologies, and capital projects.
• Leverage advanced analytics and technical expertise to identify losses, solve complex problems, and drive sustainable performance improvements.
• Provide technical leadership and governance for manufacturing systems, ensuring standardization, sustainment, and continuous improvement.
• Build organizational capability through coaching, training, and knowledge sharing while maintaining technical documentation and best-practice resources.
• Serve as the enterprise subject matter expert for assigned technologies and represent the organization in industry forums to benchmark and advance manufacturing excellence.

Skills

8+ years of experience

Statistical data analytics

Lean Six-Sigma TPM

Leadership / coaching

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering

Job description

CJ Schwan’s seeks a Principal Manufacturing Systems Engineer to lead safety, quality, waste reduction and efficiency across our manufacturing network. You’ll partner with Manufacturing, R&D, Continuous Improvement, and Capital Engineering to deploy enterprise-wide standards and capital projects.

The role may be based at our Hopkins, MN HQ or performed remotely with up to 50% travel to factory locations. You bring 8+ years of experience, a BS in engineering, and a track record in data analytics