Senior Project Engineer

Leprino Foods Company; Fort Morgan (CO); On-site; USD 111,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

Leprino Foods Company in Fort Morgan, CO, is seeking a Senior Plant Project Engineer to lead capital projects and drive improvements for our 350-person facility. You will manage design, construction, commissioning, and documentation to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency in cheese and dairy operations.

This role combines hands-on leadership with engineering expertise. The role offers a base salary range of $111,000 to $127,000 with a target annual bonus of 12%, reflecting senior-level

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical, electrical, or industrial engineering or equivalent experience in food manufacturing.
• 5+ years of experience leading capital projects in a manufacturing plant.
• Experience owning capital projects up to approximately $6 million in value.
• Hands-on experience coordinating contractors, construction crews, or fabricators during equipment installation or system upgrades.
• Working knowledge of plant utility or automated systems such as PLCs, HMIs, steam, refrigeration, or compressed air.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and basic AutoCAD (layouts, P&IDs, or equipment drawings).

Responsibilities

• Lead plant capital projects from concept through startup, including design, equipment selection, construction, installation, and commissioning.
• Develop complete Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) packages with accurate project scopes, cost estimates, budgets, and timelines.
• Write and review specifications, layouts, technical drawings, and installation plans while ensuring the work complies with applicable regulatory and engineering standards.
• Coordinate project activities with production and maintenance schedules to minimize operational disruption.
• Partner with plant maintenance, operations, controls, and corporate Technical Services to ensure project designs support reliability, sanitation, safety, and long-term performance.
• Supervise contractors, consultants, and construction teams, inspecting completed work for quality, accuracy, and compliance.
• Prepare and update mechanical, electrical, and process documentation—including AutoCAD drawings, P&IDs, and equipment files—for all assigned projects.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve utilities, process efficiency, repair/maintenance access, and equipment reliability through thoughtful engineering design.
• Provide technical support to the plant by assisting with troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and recommendations for systems or equipment upgrades.
• Maintain project documentation, reports, and communication with clarity and consistency to ensure all stakeholders remain aligned.

Skills

Capital project leadership

Contractor coordination

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, chemical, electrical, industrial engineering

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Project

AutoCAD

Job description

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Within our 350-person manufacturing facility in Fort Morgan, Leprino is seeking a Senior Plant Project Engineer to help design, build, and improve the systems that support our cheese and dairy ingredients operations. This role combines hands‑on project leadership with engineering expertise, providing the opportunity to lead capital investments, improve plant performance, and deliver projects that enhance safety, reliability, and operational efficiency!

At Leprino, starting compensation for this role typically ranges between $111,000 and $127,000. This position has an annual target bonus of 12%.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead plant capital projects from concept through startup, including design, equipment selection, construction, installation, and commissioning.
• Develop complete Authorization for Expenditure (AFE) packages with accurate project scopes, cost estimates, budgets, and timelines.
• Write and review specifications, layouts, technical drawings, and installation plans while ensuring the work complies with applicable regulatory and engineering standards.
• Coordinate project activities with production and maintenance schedules to minimize operational disruption.
• Partner with plant maintenance, operations, controls, and corporate Technical Services to ensure project designs support reliability, sanitation, safety, and long-term performance.
• Supervise contractors, consultants, and construction teams, inspecting completed work for quality, accuracy, and compliance.
• Prepare and update mechanical, electrical, and process documentation—including AutoCAD drawings, P&IDs, and equipment files—for all assigned projects.
• Evaluate opportunities to improve utilities, process efficiency, repair/maintenance access, and equipment reliability through thoughtful engineering design.
• Provide technical support to the plant by assisting with troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and recommendations for systems or equipment upgrades.
• Maintain project documentation, reports, and communication with clarity and consistency to ensure all stakeholders remain aligned.

You Have At Least (Required Qualifications):

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical, electrical, industrial engineering, or a related technical field; or equivalent experience in food manufacturing.
• Five or more years of experience leading capital projects in a manufacturing plant, including developing scopes, budgets, and timelines.
• Experience owning capital projects up to approximately $6 million in value, from concept through commissioning.
• Hands‑on experience coordinating contractors, construction crews, or fabricators during equipment installation or system upgrades.
• Working knowledge of plant utility or automated systems such as PLCs, HMIs, steam, refrigeration, or compressed air.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and basic AutoCAD (layouts, P&IDs, or equipment drawings).

We Hope You Also Have (Preferred Qualifications):

• A master’s degree in an engineering or technical field.
• Prior experience in dairy, cheese, beverage, or other sanitary food processing environments.
• Advanced CAD capabilities and familiarity with sanitary design principles.
• Experience supporting or coordinating capital projects within a food production facility, including utilities such as ammonia refrigeration, boilers/steam, compressed air, and CIP systems.

At Leprino, we believe in equal employment opportunity and make employment decisions based on each individual’s unique talents, experience, skills, and knowledge; we do not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristics. We know we are better together and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive culture in which all employees can thrive.

A chance to be part of a global team of individuals passionate about producing and delivering high‑quality products that help feed and nourish families around the world. Leprino could not be where it is today without our incredible employees. That is why we share in our success together by rewarding you for your hard work. Hiring great people who are in it for the long run is our goal. Through competitive salaries and bonuses, life, medical/dental/vision coverage, voluntary benefits, employee assistance programs, wellness incentives, tuition assistance, vacation, ten paid holidays, sick time, paid parental leave, annual merit increases, as well as the LFC Profit‑Sharing & 401(k) plan. Your impact will be noticed and rewarded, as you seek to further our company, our customers, and one another.

Our Story:

Leprino’s history dates back to the 1950s, when Jim Leprino first started making small batches of mozzarella for local markets and eateries in the Little Italy neighborhood of Denver. We’ve grown a bit since then. Today, Leprino is the world’s largest manufacturer of mozzarella and lactose, and a leading producer of whey protein. Still owned by the Leprino family, our sights are set to be the “World’s Best Dairy Food and Ingredient Company.” From a small corner grocery store we have grown to over 5,500 employees throughout the globe. Will you join us on our journey?

Leprino uses Psychemedics for a 90-day hair follicle drug test as part of the employee pre‑employment process and also participates in E‑Verify. All employees in our manufacturing facilities are required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as mandated by their role and location.

Nearest Major Market: Denver
Nearest Secondary Market: Colorado