Project Engineer (Must Reside Locally)

Winpak; South Chicago Heights (IL); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability coverage

Life insurance

Retirement savings plans

Tuition assistance

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Winpak Portion Packaging is seeking a Project Engineer to join the Maintenance team in South Chicago Heights, Illinois. You will lead projects spanning design, development, automation, and improvement of extrusion systems and thermoforming equipment, partnering with production, maintenance, contractors, and vendors.

The role emphasizes managing projects from concept through implementation while ensuring safety, quality, and cost targets are met, with onsite work Monday–Friday and occasional

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 3+ years of project engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Experience with extrusion and thermoforming processes.
• Proficiency with MS Office, MS Project, and AutoCAD.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and organizational skills.
• Effective communication across levels of the organization.
• Follow safety, GMP, sanitation, and food-packaging quality requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital and process-improvement projects from concept through installation, commissioning, and closeout.
• Ensure designs meet specs, are manufacturable, safe, and cost-aligned.
• Oversee fabrication, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of equipment.
• Develop and manage process projects to improve productivity and quality.
• Support equipment automation and manufacturing-engineering initiatives.
• Prepare CAPEX requests, budgets, and monitor spending.
• Coordinate outside contractors at the site and ensure compliance.
• Support plant utilities and HVAC, compressors, chillers, water systems.
• Collaborate with production and maintenance to troubleshoot and improve.
• Promote safety, GMP, sanitation, and food-packaging safety.

Skills

Project management

Analytical thinking

Troubleshooting

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

AutoCAD

Job description

Winpak Portion Packaging is seeking a Project Engineer to join the Maintenance team based in South Chicago Heights, Illinois. Reporting to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager, you will lead projects involving the design, development, automation, and improvement of extrusion systems, thermoforming equipment, and plant utilities. This role is ideal for an engineer who enjoys managing projects from concept through implementation while partnering with production, maintenance, contractors, and equipment vendors.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead capital and process-improvement projects from concept through installation, commissioning, and closeout, ensuring work is completed on schedule and within budget.
• Confirm that project designs meet specifications and are technically feasible, manufacturable, safe, and aligned with estimated costs.
• Coordinate and oversee the fabrication, assembly, testing, and troubleshooting of prototype, proof-of-concept, and production equipment.
• Develop and manage process projects that improve productivity, reduce waste, enhance film quality, and strengthen process capability.
• Support the design and development of equipment automation and other manufacturing-engineering initiatives.
• Prepare capital-appropriation requests, develop project budgets, and monitor spending throughout execution.
• Coordinate outside contractors working at the South Chicago Heights facility and ensure work meets site requirements.
• Support the maintenance of the building and plant utilities, including production-area HVAC systems, air compressors, chillers, water systems, grounds, and general facility needs.
• Partner with production and maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment and process issues and implement sustainable improvements.
• Promote a safe work environment, follow applicable safety and food-packaging requirements, and promptly report safety, quality, or food-packaging concerns to plant management.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3+ years of experience managing engineering projects in a manufacturing setting.
• Working knowledge of extrusion and thermoforming processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and AutoCAD.
• Demonstrated analytical, troubleshooting, project-management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to follow company requirements for safety, Good Manufacturing Practices, sanitation, chemical control, and food-packaging safety and quality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in plastics manufacturing or industrial maintenance.
• Experience working with equipment vendors and outside contractors.
• Experience with equipment automation, capital projects, or manufacturing process improvement.
• This is a full-time, salaried position working Monday through Friday during daytime hours and based onsite in South Chicago Heights, Illinois. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.
• Occasional local travel is required.
• The work environment is approximately 50% office and 50% production floor, with possible exposure to heights, temperature extremes, noise, and operating equipment.
• The role may require standing, walking, sitting, climbing stairs, and occasionally lifting or moving 25 to 50 pounds.
• This position has no direct reports and operates with minimal supervision.

Compensation range:

The compensation range provided is a general guideline only. The range is $85k-$105k. Pay will be determined based on the candidate's experience and expertise and is subject to vary.

Why Winpak?

Winpak is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to support the physical, mental, financial and social well-being of our employees and their families. Our benefit package includes the following:

• Disability coverage
• Voluntary life insurance
• Life and accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Tuition assistance program
• Retirement savings plans
• A comprehensive employee and family assistance program which includes short term counselling, wellbeing coaching, financial and legal consultations services.

Winpak's vision is to provide the best packaging solutions for people and planet. We are a leading supplier of innovative packaging solutions, known for providing high-quality products that meet the needs of a variety of industries, including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, and consumer products. With a commitment to sustainability, safety, and excellence, Winpak continues to grow as a global leader in the packaging industry.

At Winpak, inclusion is one of our core values. We believe that an inclusive culture fosters a sense of belonging, drives innovation, and provides our brand a competitive advantage. Our goal is to create an environment free from harassment and discrimination, and where every individual feels respected, valued, and appreciated.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to an equitable and inclusive recruitment process, evaluating applicants based on merit, capability, and qualifications related to the job - never on identity factors such as race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, national origin, or any other protected status. To support this commitment, if you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please let us know and we will work with you to ensure your needs are met.

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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.