Project Engineering Manager

Smithfield Foods, Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Tuition assistance

Training & development

Be Well programs

Job summary

Smithfield Foods, Inc. is seeking a Project Engineering Manager to lead large-scale engineering projects in the pork and packaged meat industry, directing design, development, and implementation while traveling up to 50% to support multiple locations.

You will apply engineering principles, manage budgets, review subcontractors, and drive continuous improvement within a collaborative team. This role offers a strong benefits package and opportunities for growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, or related field, and 5+ years of relevant experience.
• 2+ years’ experience in a leadership role to include team development and management.
• Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
• Proficient in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.

Responsibilities

• Design engineering designs, material specs, and project cost estimates.
• Conduct feasibility studies and economic analysis to support designs.
• Manage project execution by directing vendors and contractors.
• Coordinate project schedules with plant personnel, vendors, and contractors.
• Review consultant work and maintain documentation (manuals, drawings, specs, etc.) and vendor contacts.
• Submit regular reports to management on project status.

Skills

Project Management

Leadership

Communication

Data analysis

Engineering principles

Scheduling

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special – a company that’s sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values – gratitude, communication, respect and accountability – and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

THE VALUE YOU'LL BRING:

Join our Engineering team and become a driving force in transforming production processes to maximize efficiency and minimize waste—directly impacting our bottom line and helping us stay at the cutting edge of the industry. You’ll analyze data, draft strategic implementation plans, and tackle challenges head-on to optimize operations, all while playing a key role in the manufacturing of our iconic brands like Smithfield, Eckrich, Nathan’s Famous, and more. Your work will be essential in meeting the ever-evolving needs of our customers and consumers! As a Project Engineering Manager, you’ll apply your expertise in science and mathematics to lead and execute large-scale, complex technical projects within the pork and packaged meat industry. With the opportunity to lead a team of talented engineers either directly and indirectly, you’ll oversee the design, development, and implementation of innovative solutions. Your experience will allow you to work independently on most tasks, stepping in for guidance only on the most intricate challenges. Using your deep knowledge, you’ll spot potential risks and trends early, proactively crafting effective solutions to keep projects on track and drive success across the board. This is your chance to have a huge impact, drive innovation, and shape the future of one of the nation’s leading consumer packaged goods companies!

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

• Design Work: You’ll develop engineering designs, material specs, and project cost estimates.
• Conducts feasibility studies and economic analysis to support designs.
• You’ll ensure designs meet required standards and codes and validate field work and create as-built drawings.
• You’ll also review engineering submissions for accuracy and completeness.
• Manage project execution by directing vendors and contractors.
• Coordinate project schedules with plant personnel, vendors, and contractors.
• Collaborate with management and engineering teams to implement plans.
• Design Implementation: You’ll partner with vendors and contractors to plan layouts and meet utility requirements.
• Review consultant work and recommend adjustments and maintain documentation (manuals, drawings, specs, etc.) and vendor contacts.
• Reports and Proposals: You’ll also conduct planning and reviews during pre-project phases.
• Define scope of work, prepare and evaluate proposals.
• Submit regular reports to management on project status.
• Bid Review and Project Preparation: Manage contract administration and reviews bid packages.
• You’ll also prepare project documents (budget analyses, plans, schedules, etc.) and monitor installations to ensure they meet specifications and stay within budget.
• People Management: Drives a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

WHAT WE'RE SEEKING:

• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 2+ years’ experience in a position of leadership to include team development and management, required.
• Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
• Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.
• Must possess Project Management skills; Contract Administration skills; National codes and standards interpretation skills.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
• Energized by collaboration through travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

• Ability to work well with others in fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable and team oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.
• Proficient in engineering economics.
• Previous experience in the management of multi-million-dollar projects with large scopes, desirable.
• Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry, preferred.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS & WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The majority of the time is spent in an office setting outside of the production plant. The plant environment will include wet or humid conditions (non-weather related), extreme cold and heat (non-weather related), working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, and chemicals. Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be loud when in the production area. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Frequently required to sit, use hands, and talk or hear.

The expected pay range for this position is $115,000 - $150,000 annually. Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the company reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of hire. Individual compensation will be determined based on several factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the role, location of the position, the candidate’s qualifications and experience, internal equity, external market pay for comparable positions and budget considerations. At Smithfield Foods, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive total rewards package. Learn more about our benefits package here.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, status as a disabled individual or any other protected group status or non-job characteristic as directed by law. If you are an individual with a disability and would like to request a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please call us at 757-357-1595.

At Smithfield, good food starts with good people. “Good food. Responsibly.®” is more than just our tagline; it’s what we do. We provide good jobs. We take good care of our animals. We are good stewards of the environment. We do good in our local communities. Smithfield is proud to offer robust, flexible and affordable benefit plans and programs to support our team members and their loved ones, and with out-of-pocket costs, on average, 20 percent less than plans offered by other employers. Beyond our medical plans, our Be Well programs offer tools and resources to enhance your quality of life, at no additional cost. These programs are uniquely tailored to our Smithfield team and provide support for elective surgeries, weight loss, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, diabetes, smoking cessation, asthma, maternity management and more. Our company invests in your future. We offer comprehensive training and professional development programs designed to help you reach your full potential. Through LinkedIn Learning, employees can access on‑demand courses, professional certificates, and skill‑based training to build capabilities aligned with career and business needs. Our partnership with Guild supports your continuing education with tuition assistance covering English language learning, high school completion, and degree programs, while our leadership development initiatives nurture high‑potential talent. We also offer unique benefits like our Smithfield Scholarship Program for employees’ children.

Headquartered in Smithfield, Virginia, since 1936, Smithfield Foods, Inc. is an American food company with a leading position in packaged meats and fresh pork products. With a diverse brand portfolio and strong relationships with U.S. farmers and customers, we responsibly meet demand for quality protein around the world. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com. We believe in the power of protein to end food insecurity and have donated hundreds of millions of food servings to our communities. Smithfield boasts a portfolio of high-quality iconic brands, such as Smithfield®, Eckrich® and Nathan’s Famous®, among many others. For more information, visit www.smithfieldfoods.com and connect with us on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.