Project Engineer

ingredion; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Ingredion in Cedar Rapids, IA, is seeking a Project Engineer to lead capital projects and improve manufacturing processes. You will oversee design, budgeting, and execution, coordinating with operations, procurement, and contractors.

The role requires a bachelor's in engineering and at least 3 years of project engineering in industry, with proficiency in AutoCAD, SAP, and MS Office. You'll drive safety, quality, and on-time delivery across projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Minimum 3 years of project engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Experience managing capital projects and external resources.
• Strong knowledge of project execution and industrial safety standards.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SAP, and Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage design and implementation of assigned capital and improvement projects.
• Lead and coordinate all project phases: planning, budgeting, construction, commissioning, startup, training.
• Provide day-to-day supervision and coordination of contractors and vendors.
• Maintain project controls for cost, schedule, quality, safety.
• Review equipment and systems for new and existing installations.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and regulations.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, procurement, EH&S, and partners.
• Share learnings across the engineering organization.

Skills

Project leadership

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety awareness

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

Project Engineer

About Ingredion: Join Ingredion, where innovation impacts lives worldwide! Without even realizing it, you've experienced our work in your favorite chocolate, your pet's food, the paper you write on, and your everyday snacks. As a global powerhouse across more than 60 industries, we harness the potential of natural ingredients to transform lives. Whether you're just starting your career or bringing years of experience, there's a place for you here to make a real difference. Be part of our team that values a wide range of perspectives and is committed to shaping a better world with every product we create.

What you will do:

Project Execution & Leadership

Manage the design and implementation of assigned capital and improvement projects, ensuring delivery within approved scope, schedule, and budget.

Lead and coordinate all project phases, including planning, budgeting, construction, commissioning, startup, training, and transition to operations.

Provide day-to-day project supervision and coordination of contractors, vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.

Maintain project controls to ensure adherence to cost, schedule, quality, and safety requirements.

Engineering & Technical Support

Review, evaluate, and recommend equipment, systems, and technologies for new and existing installations.

Ensure compliance with applicable safety standards, engineering best practices, and regulatory requirements.

Perform or support engineering studies, equipment specifications, system design, testing, troubleshooting, optimization, and due diligence activities.

Review proposed capital projects to validate scope, technology selection, equipment sizing, budget estimates, and schedule alignment with business objectives.

Safety, Quality & Compliance

Integrate safety, environmental, and risk management considerations into all project phases.

Ensure projects comply with company policies, engineering standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.

Collaboration & Communication

Establish and manage interdisciplinary project teams, coordinating interfaces with operations, maintenance, procurement, EH&S, and third-party partners.

Provide clear communication of project status, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.

Challenge the status quo by identifying opportunities to improve reliability, efficiency, cost, and performance.

Knowledge Management & Continuous Improvement

Support the maintenance of engineering standards, specifications, best practices, and design documentation.

Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives and share learnings across the engineering organization.

What you will bring:

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, or related discipline).

Minimum 3 years of project engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.

Demonstrated success managing capital projects, including coordination of external engineering and construction resources.

Strong working knowledge of project execution, engineering design practices, and industrial safety standards.

Proficiency with AutoCAD, SAP, and Microsoft Office tools.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly.

Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive results without direct authority.

Who you are:

Experience with capital projects greater than $5MM.

Knowledge of corn wet milling, food, chemical, or process manufacturing environments.

Experience supporting multiple concurrent projects in an active plant environment.

Demonstrated ability to integrate technical and business needs into sound engineering decisions.

Key Competencies & Attributes

• Strong project leadership and organizational skills
• Results-driven with a continuous improvement mindset
• Decisive, accountable, and safety-focused
• Able to work effectively across functions and cultures
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, capital-intensive environment

Work Environment

Primary work location at the Cedar Rapids manufacturing facility.

Project roles may require occasional support during off-hours or critical project milestones.

Interaction with construction sites, contractors, and operating plant environments is required.

Why Join Ingredion?

Discover why Ingredion is the ideal place to advance your career wit