Sr Project Engineer

The Swan Food Company; Florence, Northern (KY, KY); Hybrid; USD 93,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

CJ Schwan’s is seeking a Senior Project Engineer for its Florence, KY facility. You will oversee complex capital projects across production equipment, utilities, and facility systems, delivering projects on schedule and within budget.

You will coordinate with Operations, Engineering and Maintenance to drive reliability, productivity and cost efficiency, while ensuring regulatory compliance and safe practices across all initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (ABET preferred).
• 7+ years of project engineering or project management experience leading capital projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, design, construction, and facility operations.
• Experience with CAD and engineering standards, plus knowledge of FDA/USDA/OSHA/EPA regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex capital projects from concept through startup, including production equipment, utilities, infrastructure, and facility improvements.
• Manage the site’s 3-year capital plan, including project scope, budgets, schedules, forecasting and capital justification.
• Provide technical leadership to solve operational challenges and optimize manufacturing performance.
• Develop project specifications, manage bidding and contractor activities, and ensure safe, on-time, cost-effective project execution.
• Lead project governance, risk management, commissioning, and startup activities, including FMEA, FAT/SAT, and qualification processes.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions.

Skills

Project engineering

Capital projects

Cross-functional leadership

Problem solving

Regulatory knowledge

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

CAD

Job description

At CJ Schwan’s, we don’t just make food — we help create moments that matter. From kids devouring pizza after soccer practice, to students laughing over dumplings in a cafeteria, to families enjoying pie during the holidays, our team members play an important role in bringing those everyday moments to life. Our portfolio includes iconic pizzas, global flavors and timeless desserts from brands like Red Baron®, bibigo®, Tony’s®, Big Daddy’s®, Freschetta®, Pagoda®, Edwards® and Mrs. Smith’s®. Enjoyed in homes, schools, restaurants and just about everywhere people shop and eat, our products reflect a commitment to quality, innovation and the power of food to bring people together.

Join our team as a Senior Project Engineer and lead high-impact capital projects at our frozen pizza manufacturing site in Florence, KY. In this role, you’ll drive complex engineering initiatives that support growth, productivity, infrastructure, and operational excellence across food production, packaging, utilities, and facility systems. You’ll partner cross-functionally to deliver innovative solutions that improve performance, reliability, and efficiency while shaping the future of our operations.

What You Will Do:

• Lead complex capital projects from concept through startup, including production equipment, utilities, infrastructure, and facility improvements.
• Manage the site’s 3-year capital plan, including project scope, budgets, schedules, forecasting, and capital justification.
• Provide technical leadership to solve operational challenges, drive continuous improvement, and optimize manufacturing performance.
• Develop project specifications, manage bidding and contractor activities, and ensure safe, on-time, and cost-effective project execution.
• Lead project governance, risk management, commissioning, and startup activities, including FMEA, FAT/SAT, and qualification processes.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Maintenance, R&D, Quality, and Supply Chain teams to deliver innovative, cost-effective solutions and support new products.
• Serve as a site engineering expert, supporting major corporate initiatives and leveraging emerging technologies to advance operational excellence.

What We Look For:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, or Industrial Engineering (ABET preferred).
• 7+ years of project engineering or project management experience leading capital projects in a manufacturing environment.
• Proven success managing large-scale projects, including scope, budget, schedule, and execution.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing systems, engineering design, construction, and facility operations.
• Experience with CAD and engineering standards, plus a working knowledge of FDA, USDA, OSHA, EPA, and related regulations.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Ability to effectively partner with operations, maintenance, contractors, and vendors to deliver project results.
• Lean Six Sigma experience or certification preferred.

Compensation and Benefits

The base salary range for this position is $93,000 to $154,000 annually, with eligibility for a 10% annual incentive bonus based on organizational performance. The pay range represents the numerous factors considered in hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, and geography. As such, starting pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.

Beyond base salary, we offer a competitive Total Rewards package focusing on your overall well-being. We are proud to offer a strong foundation of health benefits, retirement and financial wellbeing, time off programs, and wellbeing support programs.

The employing subsidiaries of CJ Schwan's Company are Equal Employment Opportunity Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, age, race, color, religion, gender, vet status, national origin, or other protected class.