Project Engineer

Colgate; Emporia (KS); On-site; USD 77,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Paid parental leave

Disability coverage

401(k) with company match

Vacation days

Job summary

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, part of Colgate-Palmolive, is hiring a Capital Projects Engineer in Emporia, Kansas. You will lead end-to-end projects that improve facility safety, capacity, and cost, providing engineering expertise from feasibility through commissioning and ensuring on-time, within-budget delivery.

You will collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, EOHS, and external vendors, support SOP and training material development, and ensure GMP compliance across all project phases.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Electrical, or related field)
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, or capital project execution within an industrial environment
• Demonstrated experience managing equipment installations or line upgrades from concept through start-up
• Working knowledge of GMPs, food safety, and quality systems
• Ability to work in industrial environments and move throughout production areas, including stairs and mezzanines

Responsibilities

• Lead End-to-End Project Execution: manage capital projects from concept through start-up, including scope, cost control, risk management, and handover to operations
• Drive Technical Design & Integration: coordinate process, mechanical, and electrical designs for integration with utilities and layouts while meeting standards
• Manage Vendor & Contractor Performance: direct external engineering firms and OEMs through RFQs, bid evaluations, and on-site installation
• Ensure EOHS & Quality Compliance: ensure safety, environmental, and GMP standards across all project phases including FATs/SATs and validations
• Enable Operational Readiness: develop training materials, SOPs, and maintenance plans to support site reliability and OEE
• Optimize Infrastructure & Utilities: evaluate impacts on raw material flows and utility capacity with procurement and warehouse teams

Skills

GMP knowledge

Equipment installation leadership

Safety compliance

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Project

SAP

Job description

A part of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976, Hill's Pet Nutrition offers the highest-quality pet nutrition available through product lines Prescription Diet® and Science Diet®. Veterinarians worldwide recommend and feed their own pets Hill's products more than any other brand of pet food.

Available in approximately 80 countries around the world, our extensive line of products includes more than 60 Prescription Diet brand pet foods and more than 50 Science Diet brand pet foods.

We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That is why we are proud our pet foods can make a difference in your pet's life.

A career at Hill’s Pet Nutrition or Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Travel Required?: Travel - up to 10% of time

Posting Start Date: 8/3/26

On-site

Relocation Assistance Offered Within Country

Job Number#175284 - Emporia, Kansas, United States

Who We Are

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a global consumer products company operating in over 200 countries specializing in Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care, Skin Care, and Pet Nutrition. Our products are trusted in more households than any other brand in the world, making us a household name!

Join Colgate-Palmolive, a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for people, their pets, and our planet. Guided by our core values—Caring, Inclusive, and Courageous—we foster a culture that inspires our people to achieve common goals. Together, let's build a brighter, healthier future for all.

As a Capital Projects Engineer at Hill’s, you will report to the Engineering Manager and lead the end-to-end execution of strategic capital projects that drive our facility’s safety, capacity, and cost objectives. You will provide critical engineering expertise from initial feasibility and design through installation and final commissioning, ensuring every project is delivered on time and within budget. This role offers the exciting opportunity to own high-impact projects that directly shape the long-term operational capability of a world-class manufacturing site. By collaborating with cross-functional teams in Operations, Maintenance, and EOHS, you will be the primary driver of technical innovation and infrastructure growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead End-to-End Project Execution: Manage assigned capital projects from concept through start-up, including scope development, cost control, risk management, and final handover to operations.
• Drive Technical Design & Integration: Coordinate process, mechanical, and electrical designs to ensure seamless integration with existing utility systems and production layouts while meeting Hill's technical standards.
• Manage Vendor & Contractor Performance: Direct external engineering firms and equipment OEMs through RFQs, bid evaluations, and onsite installation to ensure safety and quality performance.
• Ensure EOHS & Quality Compliance: Accountability for full compliance with safety, environmental, and GMP standards in all project phases, including the execution of FATs/SATs and required validations.
• Enable Operational Readiness: Collaborate with Maintenance and Operations to develop training materials, SOPs, and maintenance job plans that support site reliability and OEE targets.
• Optimize Infrastructure & Utilities: Evaluate project impacts on raw material flows and utility capacity (steam, air, water), working with Procurement and Warehouse teams to ensure site readiness.

Required Qualifications

• Educational Foundation: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, Electrical, or a related field).
• Relevant Experience: 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, engineering, or capital project execution within an industrial environment.
• Project Leadership: Demonstrated experience managing equipment installations or line upgrades from concept through successful start-up.
• Technical Compliance Knowledge: Working knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), food safety, and quality systems.
• Physical & Environmental Adaptability: Ability to work in industrial environments (dust, noise, variable temperatures) and move throughout production areas, including stairs and mezzanines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Expertise: Master’s degree in Engineering or Project Management and 5+ years of progressive engineering experience in CPG, food, or pharma industries.
• Project Management Tools: Certification or proficiency in project management methodologies (e.g., PMP) and tools like MS Project.
• Specialized Engineering Skills: Experience with hygienic design, clean-in-place (CIP) systems, and reliability engineering (RCM, FMEA).
• Systems & Analytics: Familiarity with SAP for capital tracking and the ability to interpret/create complex engineering drawings (P&IDs, electrical schematics).

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range $76,800.00 - $121,000.00 USD

Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles.

• Benefits: Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements.
• Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year).
• Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws. Detailed information regarding paid sick leave entitlements will be provided to employees upon hiring and may be subject to adjustments based on changes in legislation or company policies.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

Our journey begins with our people—developing strong talent with diverse backgrounds and perspectives to best serve our consumers around the world and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels a true sense of belonging. We are dedicated to ensuring that each individual can be their authentic self, is treated with respect, and is empowered by leadership to contribute meaningfully to our business.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Colgate is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, veteran status (United States positions), or any other characteristic protected by law.

Reasonable accommodation during the application process is available for persons with disabilities. Please complete this request form should you require accommodation.

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