Senior Dairy Capital Projects Engineer – Packaging

Joseph Gallo Cheese Company; Atwater (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Health Insurance

Dental

Vision

Educational Reimbursement

Paid time off

Free cheese

Job summary

Joseph Gallo Farms is seeking a hands-on Senior Capital Project Engineer to lead capital projects across the Atwater manufacturing site. In this role you will partner closely with operations, maintenance, quality, and outside vendors to deliver work safely, on time, and on budget.

You will develop equipment layouts, process flow diagrams, and project charters, manage budgets and schedules, and drive continuous improvement across multiple projects with limited oversight.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in dairy plant equipment, sanitary design, CIP, HTST pasteurization.
• BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Proficiency in engineering and project management software tools, including CAD and MS Office.
• Working knowledge of the engineering project lifecycle.
• Knowledge of controls and sensors for manufacturing processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from ideation through design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and closeout.
• Develop and manage project charters, scope, ROI, payback, cost savings, and budgets.
• Create and maintain schedules (Gantt charts), resource plans, and milestones.
• Develop equipment layouts, utility requirements, and process diagrams (PFDs and PIDs).
• Develop equipment specs and RFQs/RFIs; evaluate proposals and select vendors.
• Lead design reviews and ensure alignment with plant standards.
• Coordinate FAT/SAT, startup planning, commissioning checklists, and handoff to operations.
• Ensure proper documentation turnover including as-builts, manuals, spare parts, and training materials.
• Manage multiple projects with internal and external partners.
• Gather product information to inform design decisions.
• Facilitate risk assessments, pre-task planning, and MOC processes.
• Lead project update meetings and report status to leadership.
• Apply Excel and office software to calculate savings and schedules.

Skills

Project management

Dairy plant experience

Mechanical design

Communication

Problem solving

Self-motivated

Education

BS degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

CAD

MS Office

Job description

Joseph Gallo Farms is seeking a hands-on Senior Capital Project Engineer to lead capital projects across the Atwater manufacturing site. In this role you will partner closely with operations, maintenance, quality, and outside vendors to deliver work safely, on time, and on budget.

You will develop equipment layouts, process flow diagrams, and project charters, manage budgets and schedules, and drive continuous improvement across multiple projects with limited oversight.