Sr. Project Engineer

Mars; Fremont (NE); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company bonus

Mars University access

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Sr. Project Engineer to lead and execute engineering projects at the Fremont site. You will ensure compliance with Mars standards for safety, asset conservation and quality & food safety, while delivering projects on time and within budget.

Expect strong technical leadership, budgeting responsibilities, and cross‑functional collaboration across multiple sites. The role requires a Bachelor’s in engineering, 5+ years of project engineering experience, and 50% travel across North

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical).
• Minimum 5+ years in project engineering and capital project management.
• Strong safety, quality and food safety principles knowledge and regulatory awareness.
• Exceptional project management credentials and cross-functional leadership experience.
• Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and contractor management.
• Proven decision-making in complex environments and stakeholder influence.
• Experience building internal and external relationships with leadership.
• Excellent communication skills and broad geographic exposure.
• 50% travel across North America and Canada.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management using RC PMP process from concept to handover.
• Develop scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans aligned with objectives.
• Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost control measures for multiple projects.
• Lead project teams including internal staff, contractors, and suppliers.
• Track progress, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure delivery.
• Oversee vendor selection and procurement with cross-functional support.
• Ensure complete project documentation and compliance with Mars standards.
• Communicate status, risks and achievements to leadership and stakeholders.
• Possibly lead projects across multiple factory locations up to $30M.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Safety & quality understanding

Budgeting & scheduling

Stakeholder communication

Contractor management

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

RC PMP process

Budgeting tools

Job description

Sr. Project Engineer

Our Sr. Project Engineer is responsible for leading and executing engineering projects at the site, ensuring adherence to Mars Standards for Safety, Asset Conservation and Quality & Food Safety. This role requires advanced project management skills and the ability to provide strong technical leadership and cross-functional collaboration to deliver projects on time, within budget, and in full compliance with Regulatory and Mars Standards.

What are we looking for?

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering in Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering


• Minimum 5 + years’ experience in project engineering and capital project management, preferably in food manufacturing, pharmaceutical or FMCG


• Strong foundational understanding of safety, quality and food safety principles and standards, regulatory compliance and HSE and Q&FS systems within manufacturing operations


• Exceptionally strong project management credentials, with experience leading cross-functional teams


• Experience with budgeting, scheduling, and contractor management


• Proven ability to make sound decisions in complex and/or ambiguous business environments


• History of building internal and external relationships and interaction with management at all levels


• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels of the organization


• Work history and exposure across diverse geographic markets is advantageous.


• 50% travel in North America and Canada

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in engineering in Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering

What will be your key responsibilities?

Associate Safety & Asset Conservation – Your First Responsibility

• Provide visible leadership to foster a strong safety culture, ensuring all contractors, suppliers, and project stakeholders are properly trained, actively engaged, and held accountable for safe behaviors


• Champion a zero‑incident environment by ensuring that all projects fully comply with all local safety and environmental regulations as well as Mars HSE and Asset Conservation Standards


• Ensure all contractors and suppliers on site follow site safety procedures and permit‑to‑work systems


• Conduct risk assessments and implement mitigation measures for all engineering works prior to any project execution


• Lead safety reviews and toolbox talk for project teams and contractors


• Integrate safety‑by‑design principles into all engineering solutions and drive improvements in machine safety, ergonomic design, and hazard elimination


• Lead incident investigations related to engineering projects, corrective actions, and risk mitigation processes to prevent recurrence


• Protect site assets by ensuring proper installation, commissioning and validation of equipment

Quality & Food Safety – Site’s License to Operate

• Design and execute projects in compliance with local food safety and quality regulatory requirements as well as Mars Quality and Food Safety Standards


• Partner with Site Q&FS teams to assess project‑related food safety risks and implement change management processes to avoid product contamination or quality impact


• Ensure all equipment and installations meet Mars facility and hygienic design standards


• Coordinate validation activities with Site Operations, R&D and other stakeholders during FAT, SAT, IQ/OQ where required


• Support internal and external audits by ensuring engineering compliance documentation is complete


• Maintain accurate documentation including P&IDs, SOP updates, and technical files

Project Management

• Lead end-to-end project management using RC PMP process for assigned engineering projects, from concept through execution, commissioning and handover


• Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans, ensuring alignment with business objectives


• Manage budgets, forecasts, and cost control measures


• Manage project teams, including internal associates, contractors, and suppliers


• Track project progress, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to ensure successful delivery


• Manage vendor selection, contractor performance, and procurement processes with support from MGS Indirect stakeholders


• Ensure all project documentation is complete, accurate and compliant with Mars standards


• Communicate project status, risks and achievements to stakeholders and leadership teams


• Responsible for leading projects up to $30M or part of a team on larger projects greater than $30M


• May lead projects across multiple factory locations

Technical Leadership & Engineering Excellence

• Provide advanced technical expertise in mechanical, electrical, automation or process systems to site Technical Teams when required


• Partner with site FI and Operations Teams to troubleshoot complex operational technical problems and support root cause analysis


• Standardize engineering solutions across the site where applicable

Stakeholder Management

• Ensure alignment between site CBN priorities, country and regional business objectives and engineering project execution


• Present project updates, risks and financial summaries to site, regional and global leadership teams


• Build strong vendor and contractor relationships

What can you expect from Mars?

• Work with diverse and talented Associates, all guided by the Five Principles


• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today


• A strong focus on learning and development support from day one, including access to our in‑house Mars University


• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus