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Plant Engineering Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

J&J Snack Foods

Plant Engineer

Vernon, CA · On-site

$100K - $110K/yr

To manage the plant-wide engineering needs of a growing food manufacturing facility. Vernon & Colton facilities. May help other plants as needed. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Responsible for acting as the ...

ABM Industries

Union One Man Plant Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$53.23 - $62.58/hr

As the sole engineering and maintenance resource on-site, this role serves as a hands-on technical ... Plant Operations Support * Ensure continuous operation of manufacturing equipment and facility ...

NAES

Power Plant Engineer, Entry Level

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

Engineering Performance & Reliability * Assist with tracking forced outages, derates, and loss of ... Support the analysis of plant heat rate, operating data, and performance trends to identify ...

JLL

Central Utility Plant Manager

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site

Lead and mentor a team of plant operators, technicians, and engineers, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous learning * Monitor and optimize central utility plant operations ...

DTE Energy

Utility Plant Manager

Stockton, CA · On-site

$135K - $203K/yr

Maintains plant capacity rates by establishing an equipment performance program and providing adequate engineering and support personnel to conduct the program * Ensures plant compliance with all ...

ABM Industries

Union One Man Plant Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$53.23 - $62.58/hr

As the sole engineering and maintenance resource on-site, this role serves as a hands-on technical ... Plant Operations Support * Ensure continuous operation of manufacturing equipment and facility ...

NAES Corporation

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

Engineering Performance & Reliability * Track forced outages, derates, and loss of generation ... Analyze plant heat rate, operating data, and performance trends, recommending operational and ...

NAES

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA · On-site

Engineering Performance & Reliability * Track forced outages, derates, and loss of generation ... Analyze plant heat rate, operating data, and performance trends, recommending operational and ...

NAES Corporation

Power Plant Engineer

Mckittrick, CA

$140K - $165K/hr

Engineering Performance & Reliability * Track forced outages, derates, and loss of generation ... Analyze plant heat rate, operating data, and performance trends, recommending operational and ...

GRUMA

Plant Engineer

Fresno, CA · On-site

Minimum 5 years' experience in engineering/maintenance management capacity in a manufacturing environment. 3 years' experience in a food processing/manufacturing plant. "Any equivalent combination of ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsPlant Engineering JobsPlant Engineering Jobs in California

Plant Engineering information

See California salary details

$41K

$98.6K

$141.1K

How much do plant engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant engineering 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 plant engineering?

Plant engineering is a field focused on the design, operation, maintenance, and optimization of industrial facilities and equipment. Plant engineers ensure that manufacturing plants and other industrial sites run efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively. Their responsibilities often include overseeing equipment installation, troubleshooting problems, improving processes, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental regulations. Plant engineers play a crucial role in maximizing productivity and minimizing downtime in various industries such as manufacturing, energy, and processing.

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 typically a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, maintenance management systems, and knowledge of safety and regulatory standards are commonly required. Strong project management, analytical thinking, and effective communication skills help Plant Engineers collaborate and lead teams efficiently. These competencies ensure safe, efficient plant operations and continuous process improvements.

What are some common challenges faced by plant engineers, and how can they be addressed on the job?

Plant engineers often encounter challenges such as equipment downtime, process inefficiencies, and compliance with safety regulations. Addressing these issues typically involves proactive maintenance planning, effective problem-solving, and collaboration with operations and maintenance teams. Staying updated with industry best practices and regularly communicating with cross-functional departments can help plant engineers implement long-term solutions and improve overall plant performance.

What is the difference between Plant Engineering vs Mechanical Engineering?

AspectPlant EngineeringMechanical Engineering
CertificationsPE (Professional Engineer), OSHA safety trainingPE, EIT, OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentIndustrial plants, manufacturing facilitiesDesign offices, manufacturing, R&D labs
Industry UsageHeavy industry, utilities, manufacturing plantsAutomotive, aerospace, energy, product design

Plant Engineering focuses on maintaining and improving industrial plant operations, including equipment, safety, and efficiency. Mechanical Engineering covers the design, analysis, and manufacturing of mechanical systems across various industries. While both roles require similar certifications and often work in industrial settings, Plant Engineers are more involved in operational aspects, whereas Mechanical Engineers focus on design and development.

What does a plant engineer do?

A plant engineer is responsible for maintaining, designing, and improving manufacturing or industrial plant operations. They oversee equipment, ensure safety standards, troubleshoot technical issues, and often use tools like CAD software. Strong problem-solving skills and knowledge of engineering principles are essential for this role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Engineering jobs in California?

The most popular types of Plant Engineering jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Plant Engineering jobs in California?

For Plant Engineering jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Plant Engineering jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Plant Engineering jobs in California are:

Plant Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Engineering job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,565 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Santa Maria Plant Engineer

Pictsweet Company

Santa Maria, CA • On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 20 days ago

Pictsweet rating

6.3

Company rating: 6.3 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

312th of 445 rated food and drinks producers

Job description

Overview

Annual Salary Range is $100,000 to $130,000 USD

The Pictsweet Company is growing! A 4th generation family owned company established in 1945, Pictsweet is a frozen vegetable producer with agricultural roots. We are hiring a Plant Engineer in our Santa Maria, CA office.

The Plant Engineer will be responsible for the successful mechanical operations of the Santa Maria plant through the effective use and maintenance of machinery and equipment. The engineer will be a member of the plant Emergency Response Team and must live within close proximity to the Santa Maria facility.

  • Benefits begin on first day of employment for Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA, & FSA
  • 100% Company paid benefits include Group Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, & Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • 401k with Employer Match
  • Vacation days, sick leave, & ten paid holidays
Responsibilities
  • Organize, direct, evaluate, and control departmental resources (financial, material).
  • Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulations relating to food safety and personnel safety such as FDA, USDA, and OSHA. Complies with all other regulations and laws affecting the company (business law, trade secrets, personnel practices, etc.).
  • Assist in SOPs development on food safety and food quality for the Santa Maria Plant.
  • Assist the Santa Maria Plant in tracking corrective action for annual audits. Prepares and distributes spreadsheets, coordinates meetings, and assists in maintaining documentation. Is the document officer for BRC audit.
  • Design preventive maintenance programs to insure optimum longevity and usage of plant and equipment. Plans and coordinates routine maintenance of equipment.
  • Collects waste water samples, has samples tested, maintains documentation, and coordinates corrective action if needed.
  • Responsible to creatively adapt engineering principles to operations to provide the most cost-effective return on investment.
  • Direct responsibility for engineering projects and is responsible for maintenance activities.
  • Anticipates future challenges to production capability. Plans and develops appropriate actions to avert potential problems. Constantly seeks innovative ways to improve maintenance performance, which contributes to the productive capability of the company.
  • Delegates responsibility and communicates assignments with clarity. Empowers subordinate personnel to achieve maximum performance.
  • Evaluates mechanical performance and plans appropriate adjustments.
  • Attends quality meetings, as needed. Helps investigate when foreign materials are found in production through quality checks or customer complaints.
  • Controls and authorizes expenditures related to machinery repair and maintenance.
  • Maintains appropriate mechanical records and reports.
  • Serves on the Emergency Response Team and participates in all required meetings. Reports to plant during the event of an ammonia leak, and assist the team in a response. Serves as an Incident Commander.
  • Assists in both internal and external food safety audits.
  • All other tasks as needed.
Qualifications
  • BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited institution
  • 3.25 overall GPA
  • Firm understanding of the fundamentals of refrigeration, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, machine design, materials, and mechanics of materials
  • Ability to effectively communicate engineering designs and concepts through sketches, drawings, and written documents
  • Experience preferred, particularly in ammonia industrial refrigeration, food plant/sanitary designs, and plant engineering
  • The Pictsweet Company is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/V/H
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