Principal Project Engineer

The Swan Food Company; Minneapolis (MN); Remote; USD 107,000 - 178,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

15% annual incentive bonus

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement and financial offerings

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing firm is seeking a Principal Project Engineer. In this role, you will lead capital projects focusing on food process and automation solutions, providing hands-on leadership and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and over 10 years of experience in manufacturing. This position offers a competitive salary range of $107,000 - $178,000 annually, along with comprehensive health benefits in a supportive work environment.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of engineering experience, preferably in manufacturing.
• Prior capital project experience on automated packaging systems.
• Demonstrates compliance with USDA, FDA, OSHA standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineers to deliver large scale capital projects.
• Provide hands-on leadership to design next-gen manufacturing lines.
• Develop project budgets and commissioning schedules.
• Select vendors and develop contract deliverables.
• Coach and mentor engineers for technical competence.

Skills

Engineering project management

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Knowledge of food manufacturing

Ability to travel

Education

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

Tools

Automation and robotics systems

Job description

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 brandslike 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 remote-basedPrincipal Project Engineer, with preference to someone in either the Cincinnati, Dayton, or Columbus, Ohio areas. In this role, you are responsible for development & technical execution of capital projects primarily focused food process, packaging and automation solutions. 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.

What You Will Do

• Bring engineering functional expertise, leading internal & external engineers to deliver large scale, multi-unit operation capital projects. ($5MM to $50MM+ capital)
• Provide 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.
• Partner with internal/external resources to assess opportunities for innovative designs, performance improvements, technical advantages, speed to market and capital efficiency.
• Lead bid preparation and bid solicitation to secure best pricing. Owns capital and expense delivery to budget.
• Provide Global Supply Chain (GSC) feasibility perspectives for growth, productivity and infrastructure.
• Coach and mentor both internal and external Engineers to build technical competence

What You Will Bring

• 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 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 $107,000 - $178,000 annually with eligibility for a 15% annual incentive bonus, which is based on organizational performance. The salary range represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to education, 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 designed to support your overall well-being, including comprehensive health benefits, time off programs, and retirement and financial offerings.

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.