ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Plant Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Gehl Food & Beverage

Plant Engineer

Lathrop, CA

$135K - $145K/yr

Plant Engineer Reports To : Production Manager Salary Range : $135,000 - $145,000 Why join our team? * Full benefits package - medical, dental, vision & 401(k) match * Generous PTO & holidays

California Natural Products

Plant Engineer

Lathrop, CA · On-site

$135K - $145K/yr

Plant Engineer Reports To : Production Manager Salary Range : $135,000 - $145,000 Why join our team? * Full benefits package - medical, dental, vision & 401(k) match * Generous PTO & holidays

Valley Children's Healthcare

Plant Engineer

Madera, CA · On-site

$35.85 - $53.35/hr

The Lead Plant Engineer provides technical leadership, coordination, and oversight for the Plant Engineering and Utility Engineer teams in support of hospital operations, offsite facilities, and ...

Valley Children's Healthcare

Plant Engineer

Madera, CA · On-site

$35.85 - $53.35/hr

The Lead Plant Engineer provides technical leadership, coordination, and oversight for the Plant Engineering and Utility Engineer teams in support of hospital operations, off-site facilities, and ...

CalPortland

Plant Engineer

Oro Grande, CA

$120K - $140K/yr

Job Summary The Plant Engineer position will be responsible for fulfilling all duties in the Engineering department and duties as assigned, including, but not limited to budgeting, designing ...

New

CalPortland

Plant Engineer

Oro Grande, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

Job Summary The Plant Engineer position will be responsible for fulfilling all duties in the Engineering department and duties as assigned, including, but not limited to budgeting, designing ...

CalPortland

Plant Engineer

Oro Grande, CA

$120K - $140K/yr

Job Summary The Plant Engineer position will be responsible for fulfilling all duties in the Engineering department and duties as assigned, including, but not limited to budgeting, designing ...

New

GRUMA

Plant Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

Mission Foods is looking for a talented Plant Engineer for its Fresno, CA Plant. Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer is responsible for minimizing loss time in the entire ...

GRUMA

Plant Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

Mission Foods is looking for a talented Plant Engineer for its Fresno, CA Plant. Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer is responsible for minimizing loss time in the entire ...

Mission Foods

Plant Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

$120K - $125K/yr

Mission Foods is looking for a talented Plant Engineer for its Fresno, CA Plant. Under the direction of the Plant Manager, the Plant Engineer is responsible for minimizing loss time in the entire ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$128K - $176K/yr

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Vista, CA

$128K - $176K/yr

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Torrance, CA

$128K - $176K/yr

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

Bachem

Plant Engineer

Vista, CA · On-site

$128K - $176K/yr

A brief overview The Plant Engineer serves as the technical leader for the facility, with responsibilities comparable to a department head within Technical Operations and Production. This role is ...

NAES Corporation

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

$140K - $165K/hr

Opportunity Summary The Plant Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power Facility. This position monitors plant performance, improves equipment ...

NAES

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

Opportunity Summary The Plant Engineer supports the safe, reliable, efficient, and compliant operation of La Paloma Power Facility. This position monitors plant performance, improves equipment ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPlant Engineer JobsPlant Engineer Jobs in California

Plant Engineer information

See California salary details

$41K

$98.6K

$141.1K

How much do plant engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant engineer in California is $98,565.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $77,500.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a plant engineer?

A Plant Engineer is a professional responsible for overseeing the operation, maintenance, and improvement of manufacturing or industrial plants. They work to ensure that all plant systems, equipment, and processes run efficiently, safely, and in compliance with regulations. Plant Engineers often handle troubleshooting, project management, and the implementation of new technologies to increase productivity. Their role may also involve supervising maintenance staff and coordinating with other departments to optimize plant performance.

What is the difference between Plant Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectPlant EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in engineering, certifications like PE or EIT often preferredBachelor's in mechanical engineering, PE license optional
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilities, power plantsDesign firms, manufacturing, R&D labs, industrial settings
Industry UsageCommonly employed in manufacturing, energy, and processing industriesUsed across various sectors including automotive, aerospace, and energy

While both roles require engineering knowledge, Plant Engineers focus on maintaining and improving plant operations, whereas Mechanical Engineers often work on designing and developing mechanical systems. The roles overlap in credentials and industry settings, but their primary responsibilities differ.

What are some common challenges a plant engineer faces during equipment upgrades or maintenance shutdowns?

Plant Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple departments to minimize production downtime, managing tight project schedules, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations during equipment upgrades or maintenance shutdowns. Effective communication and planning are crucial, as these projects often require collaboration with outside contractors, vendors, and internal teams. Additionally, Plant Engineers must anticipate potential technical issues and ensure that all work is completed within budget and to specification.

What does a plant engineer do?

As a production plant engineer, you work in a manufacturing facility to ensure that daily operations run smoothly, with a focus on the equipment and machinery. Your responsibilities include designing new systems or equipment, directing plant personnel in proper methods and procedures of these systems and equipment, and executing or overseeing preventive maintenance and repair. Additional job duties may involve planning and supervising engineering projects, designing manufacturing equipment layouts, and checking for safety and environmental compliance. The main qualification for a career in plant engineering is a bachelor’s degree in industrial design or a sub-specialty of engineering, such as chemical, mechanical, nuclear, or electrical engineering. Professional certification, like the certified plant engineer (CPE) designation from the Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE) prove your skills, and employers may prefer these qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a plant engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Plant Engineer, you need a solid background in mechanical or electrical engineering, problem-solving abilities, and a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, PLC systems, and compliance with industry standards or certifications like PE (Professional Engineer) is typically expected. Strong communication, project management, and teamwork skills help you excel in coordinating with maintenance teams and other departments. These skills ensure efficient plant operations, reduced downtime, and the successful implementation of engineering solutions.
More about Plant Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Plant Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Plant Engineer jobs in California? For Plant Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Plant Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Plant Engineer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Plant Engineer jobs? Cities in California with the most Plant Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Plant Engineer jobs in CA? For Plant Engineer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Plant Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,565 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Plant Engineer

Gehl Food & Beverage

Lathrop, CA

$135K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 17 days ago

Gehl Foods rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 435 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Description

Now Hiring: Plant Engineer

Reports To: Production Manager

Salary Range: $135,000 - $145,000


Why join our team? 

  • Full benefits package - medical, dental, vision & 401(k) match 
  • Generous PTO & holidays 
  • Growth opportunities to expand skillsets & enhance career 
  • Amazing team & culture focused on: Communication | Community| Wellness 

Other Benefits & Programs We Offer: 

  • Tuition reimbursement 
  • HSA Medical plan option with annual company contribution 
  • Referral bonus program 
  • Perks at Work - discounts on shopping, travel & more 
  • Proven continued business growth for future opportunities 

Position Overview

The Plant Engineer is a site-based technical leader responsible for infrastructure reliability and capital project execution at the Lathrop facility. This role focuses on long-term utility and facility performance, strategic infrastructure improvements, and capital investments that support plant growth, sustainability, and operational readiness. Working alongside Maintenance and Engineering Managers, the Plant Engineer drives forward-looking initiatives rather than day-to-day operations support.


Key Responsibilities

  • Lead reliability and improvement initiatives for utility systems including boilers, HVAC, compressed air, glycol, chilled water, wastewater, RO, and nitrogen systems 
  • Manage facility infrastructure upgrades and ensure compliance with engineering, safety, and regulatory standards 
  • Plan and coordinate plant shutdown activities during major holidays 
  • Lead capital projects from scope development through execution and closeout ($5K-$50M) 
  • Partner with maintenance, operations, engineering, EHS, and external contractors to support infrastructure and expansion initiatives 
  • Maintain engineering documentation, drawings, and long-range capital plans

Requirements

  •  Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience) 
  • 5+ years in manufacturing or industrial engineering 
  • Experience leading capital and infrastructure projects 
  • Strong knowledge of utility systems and engineering compliance standards 
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills 

Preferred

  • Food & beverage or aseptic manufacturing experience 
  • FDA-regulated utility systems knowledge 
  • CMMS experience (Infor/Hexagon EAM preferred) 
  • PE license or PMP certification a plus 

Travel

  • Minimal travel required (0-5%) for vendor visits, FATs, and trade shows

What Gehl Foods employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply