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Lead Plant Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

PETOSKEY PLASTICS

Plant Engineer

Morristown, TN · On-site

The Plant Engineer serves as the second-in-command to the Plant Manager, with shared accountability ... Lead cross-functional alignment between Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering. * Ensure ...

Loyalty Rules

Plant Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

$126K - $176K/yr

We're seeking a dynamic Director of Plant Engineering to lead and optimize engineering and maintenance operations at our fast-paced manufacturing facility.In this role, you'll leverage data-driven

Weir

Plant Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

Plant Engineer Location - Portland, OR Work Arrangement - Onsite, Day Shift What we do at Weir We ... Lead engineering projects from concept through commissioning, collaborating closely with production ...

NCBiotech

Plant Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$90 - $140/hr

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 ...

New

Actalent

Plant Engineer

Graham, NC · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Plant Engineer The Plant Engineer supports day-to-day engineering, facilities, utilities ... Track materials, parts, lead times, permits, and installation requirements to keep projects on ...

Sotera Health

Plant Engineer

Charlotte, NC

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 ...

The Weir Group PLC

Plant Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

Plant Engineer Location - Portland, OR Work Arrangement - Onsite, Day Shift What we do at Weir We ... Lead engineering projects from concept through commissioning, collaborating closely with production ...

ALAMANCE FOODS INC

Plant Engineer

Graham, NC · On-site

$70K - $80K/yr

Track project milestones, materials, lead times, vendor commitments, and installation schedules ... plant engineering preferred. * Experience within food, beverage, packaging, or other regulated ...

NEC LNG

Plant Engineer

Charlton, MA · On-site

Position Overview The Plant Engineer serves as a key operational and technical leader responsible ... Lead initiatives to improve equipment reliability, maintainability, and long-term asset performance ...

System One

Plant Engineer

Maidsville, WV · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Plant Engineer Location: Morgantown, WV Type: Direct Hire Salary: $95,000 - $115,000 Work Model ... Participate in and lead root cause analysis investigations to identify equipment failures and ...

Covia

Plant Engineer

GA · On-site

Covia is looking for a dynamic Plant Engineer, who will have a positive impact on the Operations ... Manage and lead internal projects, working with multiple departments and contractors * Develop ...

Ethos

Plant Engineer

Wilson, NC · On-site

Plant Engineer You'll lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more, driving our plant to new heights ...

System One

Plant Engineer

Maidsville, WV · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Plant Engineer Location: Morgantown, WV Type: Direct Hire Salary: $95,000 - $115,000 Work Model ... Participate in and lead root cause analysis investigations to identify equipment failures and ...

Socket.dev

Plant Engineer

Blythewood, SC · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

The Plant Engineer will lead technical and operational projects that involve a broad range of equipment, materials and processes. Principle Accountabilities * Manage the capital projects from ...

System One

Plant Engineer

Maidsville, WV · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Plant Engineer Location: Morgantown, WV Type: Direct Hire Salary: $95,000 - $115,000 Work Model ... Participate in and lead root cause analysis investigations to identify equipment failures and ...

Weir Group

Plant Engineer

Portland, OR · On-site

Plant Engineer Location - Portland, OR Work Arrangement - Onsite, Day Shift What we do at Weir We ... Lead engineering projects from concept through commissioning, collaborating closely with production ...

Ethos

Plant Engineer

Wilson, NC · On-site

Plant Engineer You'll lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more, driving our plant to new heights ...

Ethos

Plant Engineer

Wilson, NC · On-site

Plant Engineer You'll lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more, driving our plant to new heights ...

Ethos

Plant Engineer

Wilson, NC · On-site

$90 - $130/hr

Plant Engineer You'll lead the charge in developing and implementing cutting-edge maintenance systems, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and more, driving our plant to new heights ...

System One

Plant Engineer

Maidsville, WV · On-site

$95K - $115K/yr

Plant Engineer Location: Morgantown, WV Type: Direct Hire Salary: $95,000 - $115,000 Work Model ... Participate in and lead root cause analysis investigations to identify equipment failures and ...

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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 Aug 22, 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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,886 per year, or $51.4 per hour.

Plant Engineer

PETOSKEY PLASTICS

Morristown, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Petoskey Plastics rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

62nd of 84 rated plastic manufacturers

Job description

Petoskey Plastics aspires to stand out as an industry leader in sustainability, using advanced recycling technology to manufacture high-quality films, bags, and resins from post-consumer materials. Our commitment to eco-friendly innovation sets us apart, as we strive to earn the appreciation and respect of our customers, associates, and communities. If you are seeking a family-oriented company that values career growth and provides robust paid training, explore the comprehensive benefits listed below to see how Petoskey Plastics can support your professional journey. 

The Plant Engineer serves as the second-in-command to the Plant Manager, with shared accountability for overall plant performance. This role is responsible for driving execution across engineering, maintenance, and operations, ensuring the facility meets targets in safety, quality, delivery, cost, and productivity.

This position acts as the primary technical and reliability leader in the plant, while supporting daily operations, capital execution, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Responsibilities

  • Serve as second-in-command, acting on behalf of the Plant Manager in daily operations and decision-making.
  • Drive execution of plant priorities across safety, quality, delivery, cost, and people.
  • Lead cross-functional alignment between Production, Maintenance, Quality, and Engineering.
  • Ensure consistent execution and accountability across all shifts and departments.
  • Take ownership of plant performance gaps and drive resolution with a necessary degree of urgency.
  • Partner with Maintenance to own plant reliability performance (uptime, MTBF, MTTR).
  • Drive improvements in preventative and predictive maintenance systems.
  • Ensure root cause failure analysis (RCFA) is completed on major downtime events with sustainable corrective actions.
  • Establish maintenance prioritization aligned with plant performance needs—not just reactive work.
  • Lead efforts to eliminate chronic equipment issues with long-term solutions.
  • Serve as the primary technical leader, supporting extrusion, converting, and recycling operations.
  • Lead troubleshooting of complex process and equipment issues.
  • Develop and maintain process documentation, standards, and operating parameters.
  • Identify and implement process improvements to increase throughput and reduce scrap.
  • Evaluate equipment performance and recommend upgrades or modifications.
  • Identify, scope, and justify capital projects aligned with operational priorities.
  • Lead projects from concept to startup and performance validation.
  • Ensure projects are delivered on time, on budget, and achieve expected results.
  • Coordinate with internal teams and external vendors to ensure successful implementation.
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, and cost reduction.
  • Lead root cause analysis and structured problem-solving for chronic issues.
  • Improve plant performance through flow optimization, line efficiency, and process standardization.
  • Support daily KPI management including OEE, scrap, downtime, and labor efficiency.
  • Support development of technical capability and troubleshooting skills across the workforce.
  • Drive standard work and training consistency for operators and technicians.
  • Promote workforce flexibility and cross-training to improve plant performance.
  • Reinforce accountability and expectations with supervisors and team leaders.
  • Promote a behavior-based safety culture and implement engineering controls to reduce risk.
  • Ensure equipment and processes meet safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
  • Partner with Quality to improve process consistency and defect reduction.

Education

  • Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience in manufacturing

Experience

  • 5–10 years of experience in manufacturing, preferably in plastics, extrusion, or converting

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

  • Knowledge of extrusion, resins, recycling or related
  • Strong MS Office and ERP systems knowledge
  • Able to lead and inspire in a team environment
  • Able to influence without direct authority
  • Prior experience managing a budget
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Good organization skills, tasks and detail oriented
  • Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Capable of delivering constructive criticism
  • Quality System knowledge and auditing ability

Essential Functions

  • Regular and Reliable Attendance
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Visual Acuity
  • Ascend/Descend Stairways and Platforms with Heights of up to 50+ feet
  • Standing for 12 hours
  • Walking
  • Bending
  • Twisting
  • Reaching
  • Pushing
  • Pulling
  • Lifting/Carrying up to 30 pounds (higher weights require a two-person lift)
  • Concentration

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