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Lead Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Plant Engineer

Tavares, FL

Key Responsibilities: - Develop, implement, and manage engineering and maintenance strategies to maximize operational efficiency and reliability of plant equipment. - Lead troubleshooting and problem ...

American Staffing, LLC

Plant Engineer

Saint Louis, MO

$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 ...

IKO Industries, Ltd.

Plant Engineer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

Plant Engineer Job Summary Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer will oversee plant ... Lead and manage capital projects that improve speed, quality, and cost efficiency in manufacturing

TiltEdge Solutions LLC

NJ · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

Plant Engineer Work Location: Hudson County, NJ Payrate: $110,000 - $120,000/annum Duration ... Lead engineering and automation projects from concept through implementation, including scoping ...

Evapco

Plant Engineer

Greenup, IL

Plant Engineer The Plant Engineer is responsible for supporting safe, reliable, and efficient plant ... Lead root cause analysis (RCA) efforts and implement corrective actions for chronic equipment ...

Simply Staffed

Assistant Plant Engineer

Denison, IA

Lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with ... Work with the Plant Engineer to develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and ...

IKO Industries, Inc

Plant Engineer

Jacksonville, FL

Plant Engineer Job Summary Reporting to the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer will oversee plant ... Lead and manage capital projects that improve speed, quality, and cost efficiency in manufacturing

SIMPLY STAFFED

Assistant Plant Engineer

Denison, IA · On-site

Lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with ... Work with the Plant Engineer to develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and ...

Evapco

Plant Engineer

Greenup, IL · On-site

$96K - $144K/yr

Plant Engineer The Plant Engineer is responsible for supporting safe, reliable, and efficient plant ... Lead root cause analysis (RCA) efforts and implement corrective actions for chronic equipment ...

Gateway Search Associates

Plant Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$100K - $140K/yr

As a Plant Engineer, you'll play a key role in optimizing plant operations, driving performance ... Lead efforts in process optimization, automation, and continuous improvement to enhance safety ...

Sirian Group Inc

Assistant Plant Engineer

Denison, IA · On-site

Position Overview The Assistant Plant Engineer will lead maintenance initiatives, support capital projects, and drive operational efficiency. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong ...

Mintex Technology

Assistant Plant Engineer

Denison, IA · On-site

$115K - $140K/yr

The Assistant Plant Engineer will lead maintenance initiatives, support capital projects, and drive operational efficiency. * This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong technical expertise ...

VoltaGrid

Plant Engineer

San Antonio, TX

The Plant Engineer is responsible for the technical, operational, reliability, and safety ... Lead troubleshooting efforts and coordinate corrective actions to restore service safely and ...

VoltaGrid

Plant Engineer

San Antonio, TX · On-site

The Plant Engineer is responsible for the technical, operational, reliability, and safety ... Lead troubleshooting efforts and coordinate corrective actions to restore service safely and ...

Sotera Health

Plant Engineer

Oak Brook, IL · On-site

Plant Engineer Reporting to the Director of Engineering, the Plant Engineer is a "hands on" position that supports local maintenance and operations and will lead small to medium growth and ...

Evonik Industries

Plant Engineer

Charleston, SC · On-site

The Plant Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of plant ... Lead or support small- to mid-scale capital projects, from scope development through commissioning.

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Lead Plant Engineer information

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$47K

$106.9K

$166K

How much do lead plant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 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 are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Lead Plant Engineer, and why are they important?

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 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 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 job categories do people searching Lead Plant Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Lead Plant Engineer jobs are:
Lead Plant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Lead Plant Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 98% Full Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,886 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Assistant Plant Engineer

Transparent Search Group

Denison, IA

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Plant Engineer – 1st shift

Location: Denison, Iowa

Salary: $115K – 140K plus bonus

Job Summary of the Assistant Plant Engineer: As the Assistant Plant Engineer, reporting to the Plant Engineer, you’ll take charge of managing the maintenance and engineering operations within the plant, ensuring the building and equipment remain in top condition. Your efforts will minimize mechanical downtime and keep production lines running at peak efficiency.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Assistant Plant Engineer:

  • Responsible for capital project development and post-approval management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and with minimal disruption to plant operations.
  • Collaborate closely with the Plant Engineer, to manage project scheduling and execution, ensuring all projects meet safety, food safety, and environmental standards.
  • Lead the Maintenance Department in developing and implementing cutting-edge systems aligned with High-Performing Manufacturing Organizations, including Preventive/Predictive Maintenance, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and more.
  • Optimize resource scheduling to ensure maximum work output while minimizing downtime, reducing costs, and boosting plant capacity to decrease the unscheduled downtime and increase plant efficiency.
  • Lead the maintenance team by delegating tasks, enforcing policies, and ensuring clear work responsibilities are assigned.
  • Act as the champion of plant safety to drive and enforce safety standards through training, procedure implementation, and continuous monitoring.
  • Work with the Plant Engineer to develop and maintain Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to track and report maintenance performance, including supplier effectiveness, equipment reliability, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
  • Lead a positive employee experience through leadership by way of employee development and coaching.

Education & Experience Requirements of the Assistant Plant Engineer:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering or related field and 5+ years of related experience in a manufacturing environment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
  • 2+ years' experience in a position of leadership including team development and management, required.
  • PLC and ammonia refrigeration experience is a must have.
  • Food manufacturing background required, meat or kill floor/harvest floor experience a plus.
  • Possess thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and CMMS systems.
  • Possess advanced technical skills in the mechanical and/or electrical fields (e.g. PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical systems, etc).
  • Must be able to lead resource planning and management efforts in a large manufacturing environment.
  • Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order process, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
  • Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment, interpret and communicate results.
  • Capable of communicating and expressing ideas clearly and concisely, in both written and oral formats.
  • Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
  • Strong interpersonal, technical and presentation skills required.
  • May be required to work long hours and weekends.