Senior Global Project Engineer

Ensign-Bickford Industries, Inc.; Aurora (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

AFB International is seeking a Senior Global Project Engineer to lead major capital projects at the Aurora, Missouri facility. This role spans concept to handover, coordinating across engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, EHS, finance, and leadership to deliver on time and within budget.

You will guide charters, scopes, schedules, and cost estimates, manage multi-project portfolios, and mentor engineers while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance across manufacturing operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 8+ years of engineering and capital project experience.
• Proven success delivering multiple capital projects $1M+; $5M+ experience preferred.
• Experience leading projects through design, bidding, construction, commissioning, startup and handover.
• Familiarity with HACCP, cGMP, food safety and regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex, multi-discipline capital projects from identification through handover and closeout.
• Develop charters, scopes, schedules, capital requests, risk registers, cost estimates and execution strategies.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, contingencies, change control and financial reporting.
• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Finance and leadership to set priorities and reduce production impacts.
• Select and coordinate engineering firms, construction managers, contractors, OEMs and consultants.
• Support procurement, bid reviews, contract negotiations and governance.
• Establish stage-gate reviews, decision logs and executive reporting.
• Lead constructability reviews, value engineering, field coordination and turnover documentation.
• Coordinate process, mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, civil, and other disciplines.
• Identify risks and resolve execution challenges; ensure compliance with standards and site procedures.
• Support long-range capital planning and asset evaluations; drive readiness and post-project reviews.
• Mentor engineers and promote repeatable, high-quality practices across facilities.

Skills

Capital project leadership

Project estimation

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

ROI & financial judgment

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

BIM

3D scanning

Job description

This opportunity is located within our AFB International business, the global science and technology leader in pet food palatability. We develop and produce a full range of liquid and dry palatability enhancers using high-quality ingredients proven to optimize companion animal response and consumption.

Job Description

Build the Future of Manufacturing

AFB International is seeking an experienced Senior Global Project Engineer to lead major capital projects that shape the future of our manufacturing operations. This high-impact role will initially focus on significant initiatives at our Aurora, Missouri facility, with projects typically ranging from $1 million to more than $5 million.

You will guide projects from early concept and feasibility through design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, performance verification, and final handoff. Working across engineering, operations, maintenance, quality, EHS, finance, supply chain, and senior leadership, you will ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, within budget, and with minimal disruption to production.

What You’ll Do

• Lead complex, multi-discipline capital projects from identification through operational handover and closeout.
• Develop project charters, scopes, schedules, capital requests, risk registers, cost estimates, and execution strategies.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously, including budgets, forecasts, contingencies, change control, and financial reporting.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, EHS, Finance, Supply Chain, site engineering, and corporate leadership to establish priorities and reduce production impacts.
• Select and coordinate engineering firms, construction managers, contractors, OEMs, consultants, and other external partners.
• Support commercial evaluations, contractor bid reviews, procurement, and contract negotiations.
• Establish project governance, stage-gate reviews, decision logs, action registers, communication plans, and executive reporting.
• Lead constructability reviews, value-engineering initiatives, field coordination, safety planning, quality inspections, punch-list completion, and turnover documentation.
• Coordinate process, mechanical, electrical, controls, structural, civil, utility, and architectural disciplines.
• Identify and resolve technical interfaces, project risks, and execution challenges.
• Ensure compliance with engineering standards, applicable codes, permitting requirements, OSHA/EHS expectations, food safety requirements, and site procedures.
• Support long-range capital planning by evaluating asset needs, capacity constraints, reliability opportunities, technology options, and business‑case economics.
• Drive operational readiness through training, standard operating procedures, maintenance planning, spare‑parts identification, validation, startup support, and post‑project performance reviews.
• Mentor project engineers and site personnel while strengthening consistent capital project practices across AFB facilities.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Typically 8+ years of engineering and capital project experience in a manufacturing, food, chemical, process, or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated success delivering multiple capital projects valued at $1 million or more; experience with projects exceeding $5 million is strongly preferred.
• Experience leading projects through design, bidding, construction, commissioning, startup, and operational handover in an active manufacturing facility.
• Strong knowledge of project estimating, scheduling, procurement, contracting, cost control, risk management, change control, and executive reporting.
• Working knowledge of process and packaging systems, industrial utilities, automation and controls, equipment installation, construction, and commissioning.
• Ability to review engineering drawings, P&IDs, equipment specifications, electrical documents, layouts, structural documents, and contractor submittals.
• Strong financial and commercial judgment, including ROI, total cost of ownership, lifecycle cost, cash‑flow timing, and forecast‑to‑complete analysis.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, conflict‑resolution, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, project scheduling and cost‑control tools, and electronic document‑management systems.
• Experience with AutoCAD, 3D scanning/modeling, or BIM is beneficial.
• Experience in food manufacturing, pet food ingredients, spray drying, dry blending, liquid processing, packaging, dust collection, or related industries is preferred.
• Familiarity with HACCP, cGMP, food safety, industrial safety, environmental compliance, and management‑of‑change practices is highly beneficial.
• Professional Engineer, PMP, or similar certification is a plus, but not required.

Leadership Scope

This position may not include direct reports but provides important functional leadership to project teams and directs the work of consultants, contractors, vendors, and other project resources. You will also mentor less‑experienced engineers and help establish repeatable, high‑quality project execution practices across AFB International.

Work Environment

This role includes work in office, manufacturing, construction, and active project environments. The successful candidate must be comfortable walking through operating facilities, climbing stairs or ladders, working around moving equipment, dust, noise, and changing temperatures, and wearing required personal protective equipment. Occasional lifting of up to 25 pounds may be required. Travel and occasional extended or off‑shift support may be necessary based on project requirements.

Why Join AFB International?

This is an opportunity to make a visible impact on major investments, manufacturing capabilities, and long‑term growth. You’ll work with talented teams across the organization, influence projects from concept to completion, and help create safer, more reliable, and more capable facilities for the future.

AFB International is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, national origin, or veteran status.