Project Engineer

JOB SUMMARY:

The Project Engineer is responsible for the planning, design, estimating, installation, commissioning, and management of mechanical and electrical projects supporting chemical dispensing, sanitation, and process systems in food and protein-processing facilities.

This position manages projects from initial site survey and concept development through engineering, budgeting, procurement, installation, startup, and commissioning. The role combines project management, engineering, field installation, troubleshooting, and customer support and requires approximately 25–50% travel.

EDUCATION:

Required: Non-degreed candidates must have equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Mechatronics Engineering or closely related field.

EXPERIENCE:

Required: 3-5 years of experience in industrial engineering or project management

POSITION REQUIREMENT(S): Specialized Skills/License/Certification

Required:

• Experience with mechanical and electrical systems in an industrial processing environment.
• Experience with project requirements and planning, surveying, estimating, budgeting, and execution. Experience with projects ranging up to $1M preferred.
• Perform electrical, mechanical, and controls installation and troubleshooting, including wiring, meters, level sensors, valves, PLCs, HMIs, and field instrumentation. Experience with Allen Bradley and Crimson/Red Lion preferred.
• Ability to create BOMs, installation scopes, and project documentation.
• Strong mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical, piping, electrical, and equipment drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and project leadership skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25–50% of the time.

Preferred:

• Experience in poultry, beef, or other protein-processing environments.
• Experience with chemical dispensing, bulk/day tank, and sanitation systems.
• Experience with intervention and sanitation chemistries, including PAA.
• AutoCAD proficiency.
• SolidWorks or other 3D modeling experience.
• Experience with industrial instrumentation, flow meters, level sensors, and process controls.
• Experience leading industrial equipment installations and commissioning.

CORE COMPETENCIES (Essential Job Functions)

• Manage the full life cycle of mechanical and electrical projects, including scope, schedule, budget, procurement, installation, startup, and commissioning.
• Survey customer facilities and develop project concepts, estimates, budgets, equipment requirements, and installation plans.
• Design and support projects involving:
• Chemical dispensing equipment
• Bulk and day tank systems
• Sanitation and chemical systems
• Pumps, piping, valves, flow meters, instrumentation, and controls
• Develop complete mechanical and electrical Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Create contractor and installation Scope of Work documents.
• Conduct project walkthroughs and coordinate, lead, and oversee contractor installations.
• Perform hands-on mechanical and electrical installation of equipment, including piping, pumps, valves, instrumentation, wiring, sensors, controls, and related equipment.
• Perform mechanical troubleshooting of stack/centrifugal pumps, dosing and metering pumps, flow meters, valves, piping, and associated equipment.
• Perform electrical and controls troubleshooting, including wiring, meters, level sensors, valves, PLCs, HMIs, and field instrumentation.
• Assist with equipment startup, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and customer training.
• Develop and review mechanical, electrical, piping, and equipment drawings.
• Utilize AutoCAD for system layouts and project documentation.
• Apply knowledge of chemical sanitation systems and intervention chemistries, including PAA.
• Work with customers, contractors, vendors, and internal personnel to ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and to specifications.
• Identify opportunities to improve system reliability, safety, efficiency, and sanitation.