Senior Director: Global Engineering- Decatur, IL

ADM; Decatur (IL); On-site; USD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation benefits

Job summary

ADM in Decatur, IL seeks a Senior Director of Global Engineering to design, build, and lead a centralized engineering function that enables safe, reliable capital project delivery across global operations.

The role oversees engineering strategy, governance, standards, and resource capability across the full project lifecycle, partnering with PM, Controls, Procurement, and Operations. Relocation benefits are available.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive engineering, project execution, and capital project experience in manufacturing, industrial, energy, chemical, or related industries.
• Minimum 5+ years of leadership directing global or multi-site engineering organizations with responsibility for strategy and talent development.
• Proven track record delivering complex capital projects using FEL, Stage-Gate, and project governance methodologies.
• Extensive experience managing engineering resources, budgets, CAPEX portfolios, and competing priorities in a fast-paced global environment.
• Proficiency with engineering and design platforms (Autodesk, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, BIM).
• Experience leveraging digital technologies and AI-enabled solutions to improve project execution and operational performance.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and lead a centralized global engineering function for safe, reliable capital project delivery.
• Provide engineering governance, standards, and resource strategy across the project lifecycle.
• Lead engineering strategy, lifecycle leadership, and technical handover across FEL, FEED, detailed design, and procurement.
• Build integrated services by leveraging ADM Mechanical to design, fabricate, and install processing equipment at Decatur.
• Mentor and develop teams; foster high performance and succession planning.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and industry standards; manage budgets and vendor relationships.

Skills

Leadership

Global engineering

Capital projects

Stage-Gate / FEL

Engineering governance

Strategic planning

Stakeholder alignment

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Master’s degree or MBA preferred

Tools

Autodesk

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

BIM

Job description

Senior Director: Global Engineering - Decatur, IL

This is a full-time, exempt position.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Senior Director, Global Engineering to design, build, and lead a centralized, fit-for-purpose global engineering function that enables safe, reliable, and efficient capital project delivery across global operations. This role will serve as the enterprise engineering leader for capital projects, accountable for engineering strategy, technical governance, engineering standards, resource capability, and engineering deliverables across the project lifecycle. The role will partner closely with Project Management, Project Controls, Procurement, Operations, and Business Leadership to support capital project delivery through a clearly defined FEL stage-gate. Depending on project size, complexity, and risk profile, this leader will establish the appropriate engineering delivery model, including self-perform engineering, internal shared services, external engineering partners, offshore delivery centers, and global capability centers.

Scope And Accountability

This role is accountable for the engineering function, engineering governance, technical standards, engineering resource strategy, and quality of engineering deliverables across the capital project portfolio. The role will provide engineering leadership across FEL, FEED, detailed design, procurement support, construction support, commissioning support, and technical handover. The role will work in close partnership with project management and project controls functions, which retain accountability for integrated project execution, schedule, cost control, and overall project delivery governance.

Setting Engineering Strategy

Develop and implement engineering strategies, standards, policies, and processes that align with business objectives and improve project execution.

Engineering Lifecycle Leadership

Provide engineering support and technical assurance across the full capital project lifecycle, including conceptual design, FEL, FEED, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and technical handover. Ensure deliverables are complete, risk-based, cost-effective, and aligned with project objectives.

Building Integrated Engineering Services

Create and optimize end-to-end engineering and mechanical services by leveraging synergies between Engineering and ADM Mechanical to design, fabricate, and install static processing equipment across the Decatur complex.

Managing and Developing Teams

Lead, mentor, and develop engineering personnel while fostering a high-performance culture focused on collaboration, continuous improvement, and succession planning.

Ensuring Compliance and Safety

Maintain adherence to technical standards, safety requirements, environmental regulations, and industry best practices throughout project execution.

Overseeing Resources and Budgets

Self perform engineering projects, manage engineering budgets, workforce planning, vendor relationships, procurement support, and technical resource allocation to ensure efficient project delivery.

Driving Stakeholder Alignment

Collaborate with operations, business leaders, clients, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders to align engineering initiatives with organizational goals.

Promoting Innovation and Engineering Excellence

Proactively identify and resolve engineering challenges, identify emerging technologies and industry trends, implement advanced engineering tools and methodologies, and drive improvements in efficiency, scalability, and project performance.

Qualification And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; advanced degree (MS, MBA, or equivalent) preferred.
• Licensed Professional Engineer, PMP preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering, project execution, and capital project experience within manufacturing, industrial, energy, chemical, food processing, or related industries.
• Minimum 5+ years of leadership experience directing global or multi‑site engineering organizations, including responsibility for strategy, talent development, and organizational performance.
• Demonstrated success building, leading, and developing high-performing, multidisciplinary engineering teams across multiple geographies.
• Proven track record of delivering complex capital projects and portfolio programs utilizing Front‑End Loading (FEL), Stage‑Gate, and project governance methodologies.
• Extensive experience managing engineering resources, budgets, CAPEX portfolios, and competing business priorities in a fast‑paced global environment.
• Proficiency with engineering and design platforms, including Autodesk, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, BIM, and other digital engineering and design collaboration tools.
• Experience leveraging digital technologies, engineering data systems, and AI-enabled solutions to improve project execution, planning, forecasting, and operational performance.

Technical & Business Capabilities

• Deep understanding of engineering governance, project controls, asset lifecycle management, risk management, and capital efficiency.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement, value engineering, cost optimization, and productivity initiatives that drive measurable business results.
• Ability to evaluate project economics, develop investment justifications, and ensure alignment with business and operational objectives.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills with the ability to make data‑driven decisions in complex and ambiguous environments.

Additional Requirements

• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Demonstrated success working in diverse, matrixed, and project-oriented global organizations.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.

Relocation benefits are available for this position.

ADM requires the successful completion of a background check.