Project Engineer

JSK Recruiting, Inc; Oak Lawn (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

JSK Recruiting, Inc. is seeking a hands-on Project Engineer for an on-site role in Oak Lawn, IL. You will own capital projects, coordinate with contractors, and troubleshoot daily on the processing floor as the facility expands.

The role demands experience in food processing or chemical environments; compensation ranges from $125,000 to $150,000 plus bonus, with a strong emphasis on safety, efficiency, and lean improvements.

Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical, Chemical, Biology, Chemistry or related is required or an equivalent of 5+ years project engineering in a similar environment
• 3+ years of project engineering experience in industrial plant operations, food processing, or chemical environments preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, and contractor coordination
• Familiarity with conveyor systems, material handling, or packaging equipment is strongly valued
• Excellent problem‑solving skills with a data‑driven approach
• Equally comfortable on the processing floor as behind a desk

Responsibilities

• Own and manage capital projects from scoping and budgeting through contractor coordination and completion
• Lead on‑site construction coordination with electrical, mechanical, and general contractors
• Troubleshoot conveyor, packaging, and processing modifications and upgrades on a daily basis
• Develop and update standard operating procedures for equipment changes and new system integrations
• Lead root cause analysis for recurring equipment failures using CMMS data
• Collaborate with the Plant Manager and maintenance team to drive continuous improvement
• Manage environmental permits, regulatory reporting, and compliance requirements across applicable agencies
• Conduct internal audits to ensure adherence to permit conditions and SOPs

Skills

Problem solving

Data-driven

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/ Chemical/ Biology/ Chemistry

Tools

CMMS

Job description

Job Description

Project Engineer
Oak Lawn, IL (On-site)
Compensation: $125,000 to $150,000 + bonus

About the Role

A fast-growing, mission-driven food processing facility on Chicago's south side is looking for a hands‑on Project Engineer to help bring third‑party engineering in‑house, optimize processes, and support a major capacity expansion that is already underway. This is not a desk job. You will be equally comfortable on the processing floor as you are reviewing drawings or managing a contractor. The facility is doubling its capacity and needs an engineer who can own capital projects, troubleshoot daily, and help build the technical foundation the operation needs to scale. If you are someone who thrives in an entrepreneurial environment, wants to do meaningful work, and is energized by the idea of building something new, this is worth a serious look.

About the Company

The facility sits on a 9‑acre campus with a 30,000 square foot building and is currently in the middle of a major capacity expansion. The culture is entrepreneurial, fast‑moving, and open to lean thinking, 5S, kaizen, and anyone who wants to make things better. The organization is mission‑focused on sustainability, job creation, and healthy communities.

Responsibilities

• Own and manage capital projects from scoping and budgeting through contractor coordination and completion
• Lead on‑site construction coordination with electrical, mechanical, and general contractors
• Troubleshoot conveyor, packaging, and processing modifications and upgrades on a daily basis
• Develop and update standard operating procedures for equipment changes and new system integrations
• Lead root cause analysis for recurring equipment failures using CMMS data
• Collaborate with the Plant Manager and maintenance team to drive continuous improvement
• Manage environmental permits, regulatory reporting, and compliance requirements across applicable agencies
• Conduct internal audits to ensure adherence to permit conditions and SOPs

Requirements

• BS in Mechanical, Chemical, Biology, Chemistry or related is required or an equivalent of 5+ years project engineering in a similar environment
• 3+ years of project engineering experience in industrial plant operations, food processing, or chemical environments preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects including scoping, budgeting, scheduling, and contractor coordination
• Familiarity with conveyor systems, material handling, or packaging equipment is strongly valued
• Excellent problem‑solving skills with a data‑driven approach
• Equally comfortable on the processing floor as behind a desk

Compensation and Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and retirement plans
• Entrepreneurial culture where your engineering contributions directly shape the future of the operation
• A facility in active growth mode with real opportunity to expand your role as the company scales
• Mission‑driven organization with meaningful environmental and community impact

This is a role for someone who wants to own their work, solve real problems on the floor, and be part of a company that is building something worth being a part of. If that describes you, apply now and let's talk.