Sr. Project Engineer

Kraft Heinz; Champaign (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401k

Paid time off

Flexible work arrangements

Wellbeing programs

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability coverage

Employee assistance program

Job summary

Kraft Heinz in Champaign, IL is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to lead capital projects from planning through startup. You will partner with plant leadership and cross‑functional teams to deliver assets safely, on schedule, and within budget.

The role requires a bachelor’s in engineering and several years of project execution experience in manufacturing. You’ll coordinate design, installation, commissioning, and handoff, with a focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required.
• 3+ years of engineering and capital project experience in manufacturing, industrial, or consumer packaged goods environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple capital projects simultaneously.
• Experience in project planning, design engineering, construction support, installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong problem‑solving, organizational, and project leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple approved capital projects simultaneously, including large and complex manufacturing projects.
• Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, and execution plans.
• Drive project execution from approved design through installation, commissioning, startup, and final handoff.
• Monitor project performance and resolve barriers that impact safety, quality, cost, or timing.
• Ensure project deliverables are completed with strong execution discipline and clear accountability.
• Provide on‑site engineering support during construction, installation, testing, and startup.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, quality, safety, finance, procurement, and plant leadership to support project success.

Skills

Project leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Job Description Summary

The Senior Project Engineer will report to Engineering Manager and is responsible for leading the execution of approved capital projects at the Champaign, IL site. This role manages multiple complex projects simultaneously and is accountable for delivering assets safely, on time, within budget, and in alignment with technical, operational, and quality requirements. The role partners closely with plant leadership and cross‑functional teams to drive projects from planning and design through installation, commissioning, startup, and closeout.

• Capital project execution

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Execution

• Lead multiple approved capital projects simultaneously, including large and complex manufacturing projects
• Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, and execution plans
• Drive project execution from approved design through installation, commissioning, startup, and final handoff
• Monitor project performance and resolve barriers that impact safety, quality, cost, or timing
• Ensure project deliverables are completed with strong execution discipline and clear accountability

Engineering and Technical Delivery

• Lead preliminary and final design engineering activities for capital projects
• Oversee technical specifications, equipment selection, contractor coordination, and installation planning
• Provide on‑site engineering support during construction, installation, testing, and startup
• Ensure assets are implemented in accordance with engineering, safety, quality, and operational standards
• Support troubleshooting and technical problem‑solving during project execution

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with operations, maintenance, quality, safety, finance, procurement, and plant leadership to support project success
• Lead cross‑functional communication, stakeholder alignment, and decision‑making throughout the project lifecycle
• Establish and maintain project governance routines, status reporting, and escalation processes
• Coordinate project dependencies to ensure efficient implementation and readiness for startup

Risk, Controls, and Reporting

• Develop and maintain project estimates, forecasts, schedules, and status reporting
• Identify project risks and lead mitigation planning to protect project deliveryTrack project costs, timelines, and implementation progress against approved plans
• Ensure project documentation, reporting, and closeout activities are complete and accurate

Startup and Handoff

• Support trial runs, commissioning, startup readiness, and early operational stabilization
• Ensure action items and final action items are completed prior to project closeout
• Partner with plant teams to transition assets into operation successfully
• Capture lessons learned and applied them to future project execution

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required
• 3+ years of engineering and capital project experience in manufacturing, industrial, or consumer packaged goods environments
• Demonstrated experience leading multiple capital projects simultaneously
• Experience in project planning, design engineering, construction support, installation, commissioning, and startup
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong problem‑solving, organizational, and project leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively across cross‑functional teams in a plant environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in food and beverage or consumer packaged goods manufacturing
• Experience supporting large‑scale capital projects in an operating plant environment
• Experience with project governance, risk management, and reporting routines
• PMP or similar project management certification preferred

Key Competencies

• Capital project execution
• Engineering leadership
• Cross‑functional collaboration
• Project planning and controls
• Risk management
• Communication and stakeholder management
• Problem‑solving and decision‑making
• Startup and commissioning discipline

Working Conditions

• Role is based on site in Champaign, IL
• Frequent plant‑floor presence required during active project phases
• Travel may be required on a limited basis to support project execution, vendors, or related site activity
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment

Success In This Role Will Be Measured By

• Safe and effective delivery of approved capital projects
• Achievement of project scope, schedule, and budget commitments
• Strong startup readiness and asset handoff execution
• Effective cross‑functional leadership and stakeholder alignment
• Consistent project reporting, governance, and execution discipline

Location(s)

Champaign Plant

New Hire Base Salary Range

$89,800.00 - $112,200.00

Bonus

This position is eligible for a performance‑based bonus as provided by the plan terms and governing documents.

The compensation offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors

Benefits

Coverage for employees (and their eligible dependents) through affordable access to healthcare, protection, and saving for the future, we offer plans tailored to meet you and your family’s needs. Coverage for benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.

Wellbeing

We offer events, resources, and learning opportunities that inspire a physical, social, emotional, and financial well‑being lifestyle for our employees and their families.

Benefits

• Physical - Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental, Vision, Screenings/Assessments
• Social - Paid Time Off, Company Holidays, Leave of Absence, Flexible Work Arrangements, Recognition, Training
• Emotional – Employee Assistance Program , Wellbeing Programs, Family Support Programs
• Financial – 401k, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Disability

Kraft Heinz is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Underrepresented Ethnic Minority Groups/Women/Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity and other protected classes. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for protected individuals, applicants that require accommodation in the job application process may contact [e-mail] for assistance.