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Lead Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Rehrig Pacific Company

Plant Engineer

Buckeye, AZ · On-site

Engineering Manager Role Level: Individual Contributor Manager Once Removed: Plant Manager Purpose ... Lead plant projects to decrease cost, improve safety, or improve equipment efficiency.

Rehrig Pacific Company

Plant Engineer

Buckeye, AZ · On-site

Engineering Manager Role Level: Individual Contributor Manager Once Removed: Plant Manager Purpose ... Lead plant projects to decrease cost, improve safety, or improve equipment efficiency.

Rehrig Pacific

Plant Engineer

Buckeye, AZ · On-site

Engineering Manager Role Level: Individual Contributor Manager Once Removed: Plant Manager Purpose ... Lead plant projects to decrease cost, improve safety, or improve equipment efficiency.

Staffingine LLC

Plant Engineer

West Chicago, IL · On-site

Plant Engineer Job Location: West Chicago, IL Job Type: Full-Time * Ensure the safety of all ... Lead plant compliance of all federal, state and local environmental and safety regulations.

NAES

Plant Engineer

Linden, NJ · On-site

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance ... Lead the monitoring and documentation of forced outages and generation losses, conducting thorough ...

NAES Corporation

Plant Engineer

Linden, NJ · On-site

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance ... Lead the monitoring and documentation of forced outages and generation losses, conducting thorough ...

NAES Corporation

Plant Engineer

Linden, NJ · On-site

$150K - $190K/hr

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance ... Lead the monitoring and documentation of forced outages and generation losses, conducting thorough ...

Evonik

Plant Engineer

Lafayette, IN · On-site

The Plant Engineer provides direction and monitoring of maintenance activities and small capital ... Lead small capital and technical change projects from concept through design, construction ...

Evonik Industries

Plant Engineer

Lafayette, IN · On-site

The Plant Engineer is responsible for defining, organizing, planning, and executing all small ... Lead small capital and technical change projects from concept through design, construction ...

Evonik

Plant Engineer

Lafayette, IN

The Plant Engineer is responsible for defining, organizing, planning, and executing all small ... Lead small capital and technical change projects from concept through design, construction ...

CKS Packaging, Inc

Plant Engineer

Naugatuck, CT · On-site

The Plant Engineer will be responsible for improving the reliability, efficiency, safety, and ... Lead or support capital improvement projects from concept through installation and startup

Socket.dev

Plant Engineer

Naugatuck, CT · On-site

The Plant Engineer will be responsible for improving the reliability, efficiency, safety, and ... Lead or support capital improvement projects from concept through installation and startup

CKS Packaging

Plant Engineer

Naugatuck, CT · On-site

The Plant Engineer will be responsible for improving the reliability, efficiency, safety, and ... Lead or support capital improvement projects from concept through installation and startup

NAES Corporation

Plant Engineer

Selkirk, NY · On-site

As Plant Engineer, you will play a key role in the following areas: Engineering Performance ... Lead preparation for NERC audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory visits in coordination with ...

NAES

Plant Engineer

Selkirk, NY · On-site

As Plant Engineer, you will play a key role in the following areas: Engineering Performance ... Lead preparation for NERC audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory visits in coordination with ...

Comar Engineering Services

Plant Engineer

Buena, NJ · On-site

PLANT ENGINEER At Comar, we're passionate about progress and finding opportunity in new ideas. In ... Lead inter-department interaction with Operations, Engineering, and Vendors in the resolution of ...

CKS Packaging, Inc

Plant Engineer

Union City, CT · On-site

The Plant Engineer will be responsible for improving the reliability, efficiency, safety, and ... Lead or support capital improvement projects from concept through installation and startup

New

American Staffing, LLC

Plant Engineer

Saint Louis, MO · On-site

$90K - $95K/yr

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will lead a team of skilled technicians and operators ... Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical) or a related technical field - 5+ years of ...

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Lead Plant Engineer information

See salary details

$47K

$106.9K

$166K

How much do lead plant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead plant engineer in the United States is $106,886.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,000.00 and $117,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lead plant engineer do?

A Lead Plant Engineer is responsible for overseeing the design, operation, and maintenance of engineering systems within a manufacturing or industrial plant. They lead teams of engineers and technicians, manage projects to improve plant efficiency, and ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Additionally, they troubleshoot equipment issues, implement process improvements, and coordinate with other departments to support production goals. Their role is critical in optimizing plant performance and minimizing downtime.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead plant engineer?

To thrive as a Lead Plant Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, process optimization, and a relevant engineering degree, often paired with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Mastery of CAD software, plant management systems, and familiarity with industry standards like OSHA or ISO certifications are typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you manage teams and coordinate complex projects. These competencies ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective operation of plant facilities while driving continuous improvement.

What are some common challenges lead plant engineers face when managing cross-functional projects?

Lead Plant Engineers often encounter challenges coordinating between different departments, such as maintenance, operations, and safety teams, especially when priorities conflict or resources are limited. Effective communication and strong project management skills are crucial for aligning team objectives, managing timelines, and ensuring that all regulatory and safety standards are met. Additionally, adapting to evolving technology and process improvements can require continuous learning and flexibility. Building strong relationships with both internal teams and external vendors is key to overcoming these challenges and ensuring successful project outcomes.

What is the difference between Lead Plant Engineer vs Process Engineer?

AspectLead Plant EngineerProcess Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Engineering, often with PE licenseBachelor's or Master's in Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentPlant operations, overseeing engineering projectsDesign, optimization, and process development in manufacturing or chemical plants
Industry UsageHeavy industry, manufacturing, chemical plantsManufacturing, chemical, oil & gas industries

The Lead Plant Engineer typically oversees plant operations and manages engineering projects on-site, requiring leadership and operational expertise. In contrast, the Process Engineer focuses on designing and optimizing processes within the plant, often working in a more analytical and development role. Both roles require engineering credentials and are integral to plant efficiency, but their focus and responsibilities differ.

More about Lead Plant Engineer jobs

What are popular job titles related to Lead Plant Engineer jobs?

For Lead Plant Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Lead Plant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Plant Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,886 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Plant Engineer

Buckeye, AZ • On-site

Rehrig Pacific Company
Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Rehrig Pacific Companyexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Rehrig Pacific Company rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Position Location: Plant based
Manager: Engineering Manager
Role Level: Individual Contributor
Manager Once Removed: Plant Manager
Purpose of Role
Rehrig Pacific Company's Plant Engineers are an integral part of our operations and are responsible for identifying and driving solutions that improve our performance and operational costs. Plant Engineers are responsible for planning, design and implementation of equipment, machinery, and automation. They are expected to work collaboratively with other plant resources, and create safe, stable, and reliable manufacturing processes and systems through the analysis of data and the application of sound engineering practices. This individual should have a continuous improvement mindset and have knowledge of manufacturing best practices to be successful.
Areas of Accountabilities
Lead continuous improvement initiatives in the plant
  • Analyze plant equipment and processes and develop action plans that improve plant performance.
  • Identify operational gaps and provide insight and recommended actions to local management.
  • Lead plant projects to decrease cost, improve safety, or improve equipment efficiency.
  • Communicate with peers within Rehrig Pacific Company to solicit and share best practices.
  • With cross functional team members, review and improve existing standards using PDCA methodology.

Improve plant safety
  • Work with suppliers and Safety Team to perform risk assessments of new equipment and develop training documents.
  • Apply OSHA and Rehrig Pacific safety requirements to all tasks and projects.
  • Support local Safety Manager with work cell audits and improvements.
  • Communicate with plant personnel to understand safety challenges and opportunities to improve.
  • Utilize engineering principles to eliminate or reduce risks and hazards within the plant.

Advance local technology
  • Drive labor reduction initiatives within the plant and develop solutions and technology to achieve.
  • Perform research and development on cutting edge technologies to improve plant operations.
  • Ensure all automation is working properly and to its full extent to maximize return on investment.

Manage projects on time and on budget
  • Utilize sound project management practices and tools to plan project details, costs and resources.
  • Manage suppliers / vendors to ensure alignment with project plans and budgets.
  • Assemble and manage detailed project plans for all projects and drive accountability of defined deliverables.
  • Develop work instructions and training material for new equipment before handing off to internal customers.

Drive growth and development
  • Set and achieve annual developmental goals and pursues opportunities to advance skills and acumen.
  • Solicit feedback from manager, peers, and stakeholders to understand development opportunities.
  • Seek opportunities for advanced training and apply to work.
  • Actively pursue growth and advancement using Rehrig Pacific's Engineering Development Plan.
  • Participates in local recruiting events for engineering resources (internships and full-time engineers).

Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
  • Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Plastics, Manufacturing or equivalent)
  • Project management experience, including project management tools and software.
  • Experience in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma.
  • Experience with coding and programming is a plus.
  • Experience with hand and power tools.
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).
  • Excellent problem-solving skills and familiarity with problem solving terms and tools.
  • Highly proficient with MS Office tools
  • Ability to leverage data to drive decisions and project focus.
  • Ability and willingness to travel (estimated travel frequency < 10%)
  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

What Rehrig Pacific Company employees say

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