Location: Wilson, NC
Compensation: $140,000 – $175,000 Per Year + Bonus
Employment Type: Direct Hire
Remote: No Remote
Experience Required: 8+ years relevant experience preferred
Benefits: Full Benefits
Relocation Assistance: Yes
Interview Expenses: Unspecified
Guarantee: 90 Days
Total Openings: 1

Job Summary

The Plant Engineer will lead the maintenance and engineering department in a fast-paced food manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for maintaining building and equipment performance, reducing mechanical downtime, ensuring reliable product flow, and developing advanced maintenance systems. The Plant Engineer will lead engineering activities and technology projects to maintain a state-of-the-art food manufacturing operation.

Key Responsibilities

• Own capital projects from concept through completion, managing scope, schedules, budgets, vendors, and execution.
• Deliver projects on time and on budget while minimizing disruption to plant operations.
• Ensure projects meet safety, food safety, environmental, and operational standards.
• Develop and implement Preventive Maintenance, Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and other maintenance systems.
• Optimize maintenance scheduling to maximize task completion while minimizing downtime.
• Manage, delegate, and develop the maintenance team.
• Provide short-term corrective solutions and long-term fixes to operational and equipment problems.
• Troubleshoot equipment failures and conduct root-cause/problem analysis to reduce recurring issues.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across maintenance and engineering functions.
• Develop and track KPIs related to equipment reliability, supplier performance, OEE, and maintenance effectiveness.
• Lead engineering activities and support innovative technology projects throughout the food manufacturing facility.

Education & Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with 8+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 2+ years of demonstrated team management/development or project leadership experience.
• Food manufacturing experience required.
• Strong project management and continuous improvement experience.
• Cradle-to-grave capital project experience preferred.
• PLC, automation, instrumentation, mechanical, and electrical technical knowledge.
• Experience with maintenance systems, work orders, Preventive/Predictive Maintenance, and TPM.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
• AutoCAD experience is a plus.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.

Technical & Leadership Skills

• Advanced mechanical and electrical technical skills.
• PLC and automation knowledge.
• Ability to lead resource planning in a large manufacturing environment.
• Strong organizational planning and analytical reasoning.
• Ability to communicate ideas clearly in written and oral formats.
• Strong interpersonal, technical, and presentation skills.
• Adaptability and ability to work effectively in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.