Principal Project Engineer

Schwan's; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 104,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturer is seeking a Principal Project Engineer to lead significant capital projects across the organization. The role requires extensive engineering experience, particularly in manufacturing, along with strong leadership and project management skills. The position offers a competitive salary range of $104,625 to $174,375 annually plus bonus. Join the team and drive innovative solutions in food production.

Benefits

Annual incentive bonus

Strong foundation of health benefits

Retirement plan

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering experience, ideally within manufacturing.
• Prior experience with automated packaging systems.
• Ability to travel 35% to 50% as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead internal and external engineers on capital projects.
• Design manufacturing lines from concept to commercialization.
• Ensure compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA, and EPA regulations.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Project management

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Knowledge of food manufacturing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Packaging or Electrical Engineering

Job description

Overview

Schwan’s Company, a U.S. affiliate of the global lifestyle brand CJ CheilJedang Corporation, is a leader in manufacturing and marketing quality foods enjoyed nationwide. We have beloved brands like Red Baron, Tony’s, Big Daddy’s, Villa Prima and Freschetta pizzas; bibigo, Pagoda Asian-style snacks and we can’t forget Mrs. Smith’s and Edwards pies! We bring families and communities together through great food. Join our team and see the opportunities are real, and the sky is the limit; this isn’t just a job, it’s a seat at the table!

Our CJ Schwan's engineering team is seeking a Principal Project Engineer, open to work anywhere in the United States. In this role, you are responsible for development & technical execution of capital projects as THE company-wide expert on designing, selecting and delivering our mission of First, Best, Different. You draw on experience and relationships with OEM’s to leverage best-in-class across process & food flavor packaging systems. Please note we are NOT at this time considering those requiring sponsorship now or in the future.

Responsibilities

• Engineering functional expert, leading internal & external engineers to deliver large scale, multi-unit operation capital projects. ($5MM to $50MM+ capital)
• Hands on leadership in design and execution of next generation manufacturing lines, taking it from concept to commercialization. Understands LEAN principles and the critical interface points between the materials, machine, and human.
• Develop overall scope including line performance metrics, packaging & process flow diagrams, optimum layout, utility demands, mass balance calculations, project budgets, and commissioning schedule.
• Select vendor, develop contract deliverables, install and validate performance metrics. Day to day vender interface to meet budget, schedule & design.
• Ensure implementation of solutions that deliver design flexibility and performance.
• Partners with internal/external resources to assess opportunities for innovative designs, performance improvements, technical advantages, speed to market and capital efficiency
• Leads bid preparation and bid solicitation to secure best pricing. Owns capital and expense delivery to budget
• Provides Global Supply Chain (GSC) feasibility perspectives for growth, productivity and infrastructure.
• Coaches and mentors both internal and external Engineers to build technical competence

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Packaging or Electrical Engineering (ABET accredited program preferred).
• 10+ years of engineering experience, ideally a majority of which is within a manufacturing setting.
• Prior Packaging capital project experience on highly automated packaging systems: forming, sealing, transferring, structural integrity, robotics, automation, flexible, rigid.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing, engineering, quality, and research functions. Demonstrates compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA, EPA, City and/or State agencies, etc. for both manufacturing processes and building requirements.
• Demonstrates project management leadership, problem-solving, decision making, troubleshooting, communications, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel 35% to 50% as required.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $104,625 to $174,375 annually with eligibility for a 15% annual incentive bonus, that is based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to educations, skills, work experience, certifications, geography etc. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range. Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a strong foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, wellbeing support programs. The employing subsidiaries of Schwan's Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin, or other protected class.