ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Plant Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Guida's Dairy

Plant Engineering Manager

Zumbrota, MN · On-site

DFA Zumbrota has an opening for a Plant Engineering Manager. The Engineering Manager is responsible for the oversight and performance of the engineering and maintenance staff and functions ...

McCain Foods

Plant Engineering Manager

Grand Island, NE

$102K - $137K/yr

The Plant Engineer Manager at McCain Foods is responsible for overseeing all engineering and maintenance activities within the manufacturing facility. This role involves leading the team in planning ...

Conagra Brands

Plant Engineering Manager

Quincy, MI

$82K - $120K/yr

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will develop and implement plant technical strategies focused on engineering projects and systems, guide vertical startup processes that support lowloss production ...

Jack Links

Plant Engineering Manager

Perry, GA

The Plant Engineering Manager oversees all engineering, maintenance, utilities, and automation systems within a large, highly automated USDA food manufacturing plant. This leader ensures equipment ...

CONAGRA

Plant Engineering Manager

Quincy, MI · On-site

$82K - $120K/yr

Reporting to the Plant Manager, you will develop and implement plant technical strategies focused on engineering projects and systems, guide vertical startup processes that support low‑loss ...

Faurecia

Plant Engineering Manager

Toledo, OH · On-site

... engineering budget and the plant CAPEX; and ensure their application, o Management of the plant central maintenance, o Monitor capacity utilization, o Keep plant lay-out updated, o Plan, monitor and ...

Owens Corning

Plant Engineering Leader

Fairburn, GA · On-site

The Technical Leader (Plant Engineering Leader) is responsible for providing all aspects of technical leadership to the Plant. The position reports to the Plant Leader and is a member of the plant ...

Owens Corning

Plant Engineering Leader

Fairburn, GA · On-site

The Technical Leader (Plant Engineering Leader) is responsible for providing all aspects of technical leadership to the Plant. The position reports to the Plant Leader and is a member of the plant ...

Faurecia

Plant Engineering Manager

Toledo, OH

... engineering budget and the plant CAPEX; and ensure their application, o Management of the plant central maintenance, o Monitor capacity utilization, o Keep plant lay-out updated, o Plan, monitor and ...

Owens Corning

Plant Engineering Leader

Memphis, TN · On-site

SUMMARY The Plant Quality and Technical Engineering Leader is accountable to ensure a quality product is being manufactured to meet or exceed our customer expectations. The Plant Quality and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsPlant Engineering Jobs

Plant Engineering information

See salary details

$41.5K

$99.9K

$143K

How much do plant engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for plant engineering in the United States is $99,873.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,500.00 and $120,000.00 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 engineers make $500,000 a year?

Engineers such as petroleum engineers, aerospace engineers, and certain senior software engineers can earn $500,000 or more annually, often through a combination of base salary, bonuses, and stock options. High earnings typically require extensive experience, advanced skills, and work in industries with high profit margins or in leadership roles.

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 does a plant engineer do?

A plant engineer is responsible for designing, maintaining, and improving manufacturing or processing plant operations. They oversee equipment, ensure safety standards, troubleshoot technical issues, and optimize efficiency, often using tools like CAD software and requiring technical certifications. Their work environment typically involves plant floors, machinery, and collaboration with maintenance and production teams.

What engineers make $200,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering often earn $200,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and relevant certifications. Leadership roles like engineering managers or directors can also reach or exceed this salary level, particularly in high-demand industries or large organizations.

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 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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, and certain software engineering roles can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership responsibilities. High compensation often involves working in high-demand industries, holding managerial or executive positions, or possessing rare technical expertise.
More about Plant Engineering jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Plant Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Plant Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Plant Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Plant Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Plant Engineering jobs are:
Plant Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plant Engineering job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,873 per year, or $48 per hour.
Plant Engineering Manager

Plant Engineering Manager

Jack Link's Protein Snacks

Perry, GA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Company Description
At Link Snacks, we show up hungry, roll up our sleeves, plaid or otherwise, and dive straight into the hard work. We don't hide from challenges; we hunt them down. We push harder, move faster, and take the kinds of big swings that built this business in the North Woods of Wisconsin four decades ago.
We're everyday people who deliver extraordinary results. Innovation, creativity, and urgency aren't buzzwords, they're expectations. And just like the real protein snacks we make across our global house of brands-Jack Link's®, Lorissa's Kitchen®, Golden Island®, BiFi®, and Peperami® and KOOEE!® to name a few-there's nothing artificial about us. What you see is exactly what you get: humble, gritty, passionate people who show up every day ready to not just be a participate in the meat snack industry that the Link Family created, but to move faster, innovate harder and keep raising the bar so high, the rest of the world needs a ladder just to see it.
Dominating this space across the world takes a team. A team that runs together, succeeds together, and celebrates together. A team that's full of relentless energy and spirit that can only be fueled by one thing: a fist full of our delicious meat snacks.
Real Meat Protein. Real People. Real Results. THAT is Link Snacks.
Job Description
The Plant Engineering Manager oversees all engineering, maintenance, utilities, and automation systems within a large, highly automated USDA food manufacturing plant. This leader ensures equipment reliability, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and long-term asset health while driving operational excellence in a 24/7 production environment.
The role blends technical depth, leadership, strategic planning, and hands-on problem solving across mechanical, electrical, controls, and facility systems.
Engineering Leadership & Technical Direction
  • Engineering Leadership - Set the technical vision for the plant, ensuring engineering strategies align with production goals, food safety requirements, and long-term asset health. This includes defining engineering standards, approving equipment specifications, and guiding the plant's automation roadmap.
  • Team Development - Build a high-performance culture across maintenance, reliability, and controls teams. Provide coaching, succession planning, and skills development for technicians, supervisors, and engineers.
  • Cross-Functional Influence - Serve as the plant's technical authority, partnering with Operations, Quality, Sanitation, and Corporate Engineering to solve complex problems and drive plant-wide improvements.

Maintenance & Reliability Management
  • Maintenance & Reliability - Own the plant's reliability strategy, including preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance programs (TPM).
  • CMMS Optimization - Ensure accurate work order management, asset histories, and spare-parts control. Use data to identify chronic failures and optimize PM frequencies.
  • Reliability Engineering - Lead root cause analysis (RCA), FMEA (FMECA, FMEDA), and reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) to reduce unplanned downtime.
  • Performance Metrics - Track MTBF, MTTR, PM compliance, and maintenance cost per unit to drive continuous improvement.

Automation, Controls & Advanced Technology
  • Automation & Controls - Oversee PLCs, SCADA, production & line control systems, and automated material handling.
  • System Integration - Ensure seamless communication between equipment, sensors, and plant-wide control systems.
  • Cybersecurity for OT - Implement secure access, patching, and network segmentation for industrial control systems.
  • Troubleshooting Leadership - Guide teams through complex automation failures, ensuring rapid recovery and long-term corrective actions.
  • Automated Production Systems - Industrial robotics and high-speed servo-based equipment systems

USDA, Food Safety & Regulatory Compliance
  • USDA & Food Safety Compliance - Ensure all engineering and maintenance activities meet USDA, FDA, HACCP, GMP, and internal food safety standards.
  • Sanitary Design - Lead equipment and facility design reviews to ensure compliance with sanitary design principles.
  • Audit Readiness - Maintain documentation, validation records, and maintenance logs to support USDA inspections and third-party audits.
  • Management of Change (MOC) Control - Manage engineering changes to ensure they do not compromise food safety or regulatory compliance.

Capital Project Leadership
  • Capital Project Management - Lead multi-million-dollar projects from concept to commissioning.
  • Scope Development - Define project requirements, equipment specifications, and ROI analyses.
  • Vendor & Contractor Management - Oversee bidding, selection, and performance of engineering firms and contractors.
  • Startup & Commissioning - Ensure equipment validation, operator training, and performance testing meet design intent.

Utilities, Facilities & Infrastructure
  • Utilities & Infrastructure - Ensure critical plant utilities including ammonia refrigeration, boilers, compressed air, wastewater, and HVAC are maintained.
  • Regulatory Compliance - Ensure compliance with PSM (Process Safety Management), environmental permits, and OSHA standards.
  • Energy Management - Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption and improve sustainability.
  • Facility Integrity - Oversee structural, roofing, flooring, and environmental controls to maintain a safe, sanitary environment.

Continuous Improvement & Operational Excellence
  • Continuous Improvement - Drive Lean, Six Sigma, TPM, and Kaizen initiatives to improve throughput and reduce waste.
  • OEE Optimization - Partner with Operations to analyze downtime, speed losses, and quality losses.
  • Standard Work - Develop engineering SOPs, PM standards, and troubleshooting guides.
  • Innovation - Evaluate emerging technologies (vision systems, robotics, predictive analytics) to enhance plant performance.

Budgeting, Cost Control & Strategic Planning
  • Budget Management - Own the engineering and maintenance budgets, including labor, spare parts, contractors, and capital expenditures.
  • Cost Reduction - Identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs without compromising reliability.
  • Long-Term Asset Planning - Develop 3-5-year capital plans with Central Engineering, equipment replacement strategies, and facility improvement roadmaps.

Safety Leadership & Risk Management
  • Safety Leadership - Champion a strong safety culture across engineering and maintenance teams.
  • Risk Assessments - Lead hazard analyses, LOTO program improvements, and machine guarding compliance.
  • Incident Response - Provide technical leadership during safety incidents, equipment failures, or utility disruptions.

Required Skills & Competencies
  • Mechanical & Electrical Expertise - Strong understanding of industrial equipment, automation, and utilities within a high-speed CPG company.
  • Project Management - Ability to manage complex timelines, contractors, and budgets.
  • Regulatory Knowledge - Experience with USDA, HACCP, GMPs, and food safety engineering requirements.
  • Leadership & People Development - Proven ability to coach, mentor, and build high-performing technical teams.
  • Data-Driven Decision Making - Skilled in using CMMS, OEE data, and reliability metrics to guide improvements.
  • Root Cause Analysis - Expertise in RCA, FMEA, and structured problem-solving methodologies.
  • Food Safety - Fundamental understanding of Sanitary Design Principals, sanitation practices and requirements, and mitigation strategies.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or related field).
  • 7 + years of engineering or maintenance leadership in food manufacturing, CPG, or high-automation environments.
  • Demonstrated success managing large capital projects and cross-functional initiatives.
  • Equipment uptime and reliability (MTBF, MTTR)
  • Successful execution of capital projects (on time/on budget)
  • Maintenance cost performance (M&R spend)
  • Audit readiness and regulatory compliance
  • Safety performance metrics
  • OEE improvement and waste reduction

Preferred Qualificications:
  • 10 + years of engineering or maintenance leadership in food manufacturing, CPG, or high-automation environments.
  • Professional certifications (PE, PMP, Six Sigma) are a plus.
  • Experience in FDA, USDA-regulated or ready-to-eat (RTE) facilities strongly preferred.

Additional Information
Annual Salary Range: $165k - $185k , A relocation package is available to qualified candidates
The pay range for this role is $165k - $185k (Annual). Actual wage will vary based on several factors, including but not limited to external market data, internal equity, location, and candidate skill set and experience. Base pay is just one component of Jack Link's Total Rewards package for Team Members. Other rewards may include annual incentive and program-specific awards. Jack Link's provides a variety of benefits to eligible Team Members, including medical, dental and vision benefits, life and disability insurance, 401k participation, paid holidays, and paid time off.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job the Team Member will be required to wear the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (i.e. beard/hairnet, ear plugs, frock, boots, etc.), stand for extended periods of time, and use hands/arms to push, pull, reach and occasionally lift above head. The Team Member must occasionally lift, push, pull up to 25 pounds and 50 pounds infrequently. Team Members are requested to visually inspect equipment and/or product.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a Team Member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The work environment is a plant setting with wet/slippery floors, varying degrees of temperatures with an average temperature of 40 degrees in the production area. Team Members will be exposed to raw and/or cooked meat products and moving equipment and will be required to follow all Food Safety Quality requirements.
EEO Statement:
Jack Link's provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic that is protected by federal, state or local law.
Jack Link's is participant in the federal E-Verify program to confirm the identity and employment authorization of all newly hired employees. For information about the E-Verify program, please visit: http://www.uscis.gov/e-verify/employees
Disclaimer:
This job description is intended to generally describe the nature and level of work to be performed by team members in this position. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and skills required of team members performing this role.

Apply