Senior Global Equipment & Technology Engineer

Smithfield Foods; North Carolina; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Smithfield Foods in North Carolina seeks a mechanical engineer to lead the evaluation, qualification, and deployment of processing and packaging equipment across pork operations, ensuring sanitary design and regulatory compliance.

You will collaborate with domestic and international teams, assess new technologies, and guide capital projects from concept through commissioning while traveling as needed to support global operations.

Qualifications

• Experience qualifying and validating manufacturing equipment.
• Knowledge of sanitary design, washdown-duty equipment, USDA-regulated facilities, and food processing systems.
• Experience working with OEMs, equipment suppliers, and international engineering teams.
• Experience evaluating, adapting, and implementing technology across multiple regions or countries.
• Travel domestically >50% and internationally as required.

Responsibilities

• Lead equipment specification, qualification, and validation through design reviews and testing.
• Conduct technology scouting and benchmarking for processing, packaging, robotics, and automation.
• Partner with US/China WH Group teams to transfer and implement proven technologies.
• Evaluate mechanical designs, layouts, and sanitary construction for reliability and safety.
• Support capital projects from concept through commissioning.

Skills

Strong communication

Collaboration

Project management

Global teams

Technology evaluation

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field

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:

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

Lead the evaluation, design review, qualification, and deployment of processing, packaging, automation, robotics, and end-of-line equipment across pork processing operations. This role serves as the mechanical engineering subject matter expert, ensuring equipment meets performance, sanitary design, USDA, safety, reliability, and maintainability requirements before deployment.

The role will also support the development of strategic technology alignment between U.S. and China operations. Working closely with the WH Group engineering and operations teams, this position will evaluate proven technologies, equipment platforms, and best practices successfully deployed within China operations while identifying opportunities for adaptation and implementation within U.S. facilities. The role will further partner with global equipment suppliers, technology developers, and internal stakeholders to collaboratively develop and commercialize emerging processing and automation technologies.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Equipment Qualification & Validation: Lead equipment specification, qualification, and validation activities through design reviews, supplier assessments, factory acceptance testing, pilot trials, and operational evaluations to ensure compliance with throughput, yield, labor, reliability, food safety, maintenance, and regulatory requirements.

• Technology Evaluation & Innovation: Conduct technical due diligence, assess emerging technologies and OEM solutions, and lead global technology scouting, benchmarking, and equipment standardization initiatives to identify next-generation processing, packaging, robotics, and automation opportunities.

• Global Collaboration & Technology Transfer: Partner with U.S. operations, China operations, WH Group engineering teams, and external stakeholders to evaluate, transfer, and implement proven technologies, equipment designs, and operational best practices across manufacturing environments.

• Equipment Engineering & Design Review: Evaluate mechanical designs, machine layouts, sanitary construction, structural systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, maintainability, and lifecycle costs to ensure performance, reliability, cleanability, and operator safety.

• Processing & Packaging Equipment Expertise: Qualify and optimize processing, packaging, conveyance, material handling, robotics, and end-of-line systems, including injection, marination, tumbling, slicing, thermoforming, vacuum packaging, palletizing, and warehouse integration equipment.

• Regulatory & Sanitary Compliance: Ensure equipment designs and operating conditions meet USDA requirements, sanitary design principles, washdown-duty standards, food safety expectations, and U.S. manufacturing regulations.

• OEM & Supplier Partnerships: Collaborate with domestic and international OEMs, technology providers, and research organizations to develop, adapt, and commercialize equipment solutions for U.S. manufacturing applications.

• Capital Project Leadership: Serve as a technical lead, project engineer, or subject matter expert supporting capital projects from concept development through implementation and commissioning.

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 Mechanical Engineering or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience in food processing, packaging, industrial equipment, or manufacturing engineering; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• Experience qualifying and validating manufacturing equipment.

• Knowledge of sanitary design, washdown-duty equipment, USDA-regulated facilities, and food processing systems.

• Experience working directly with OEMs, equipment suppliers, and international engineering teams.

• Experience evaluating, adapting, and implementing technology across multiple manufacturing regions or countries preferred.

• Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills.

• Ability to travel domestically greater than 50% and internationally as required.

OTHER SKILLS THAT MAKE YOU STAND OUT:

Qualification List

• Mandarin language skills are a plus.

Smithfield Foods provides pay ranges that reflect its good faith estimate of thesalary or hourly wagethe company reasonably expects to pay for a positionat 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.