Project Engineer Jobs in Portage, MI (NOW HIRING)

Project Engineer (Continuous Opening)
Locations: Hatfield, PA | Coldwater, MI | Tyrone, PA
Relocation Assistance Available
Build the Future of Manufacturing at Clemens Food Group
Are you an experienced Project Engineer who enjoys leading capital projects, solving complex manufacturing challenges, and seeing your ideas come to life on the production floor?
Clemens Food Group is continuously building our pipeline of Project Engineers to support future growth across our manufacturing facilities. While this is not an opening for an immediate position, applying allows you to be considered as engineering opportunities become available throughout the year.
If you're looking for an opportunity to lead impactful capital projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and continue growing your engineering career within a family-owned manufacturing organization, we'd love to connect.
Who This Opportunity Is For
This opportunity is designed for experienced Project Engineers who:

• Have approximately 5-10 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Have successfully led capital projects valued at $500,000 or more from concept through startup, taking ownership of scope, budget, schedule, vendor coordination, and execution.
• Are looking to expand their project ownership, technical expertise, and leadership within a growing organization.

What You'll Do
As a Project Engineer at Clemens Food Group, you'll lead capital projects that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and operational performance across our manufacturing facilities. You'll manage investments ranging from equipment upgrades and production line improvements to larger manufacturing initiatives that directly impact business performance. Working closely with Operations, Maintenance, FSQA, Safety, Procurement, and external partners, you'll manage projects from concept through startup while driving continuous improvement and supporting long-term business growth.
This role is ideal for engineers who enjoy taking ownership, building strong cross-functional relationships, and delivering projects that have a lasting impact on manufacturing operations.
Key Responsibilities
Capital Project Leadership

• Lead capital projects from concept through design, execution, commissioning, and startup.
• Develop project scopes, budgets, schedules, risk assessments, and resource plans.
• Coordinate contractors, vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders throughout project execution.
• Manage equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on time, within budget, and in alignment with engineering standards and company procedures.

Engineering & Technical Excellence

• Develop production layouts, equipment specifications, and engineering designs using CAD and other engineering tools.
• Translate operational challenges into practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Evaluate and recommend equipment, technologies, and process improvements that enhance manufacturing capability.
• Develop technical documentation, project specifications, and engineering standards to support long-term operational success.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, productivity, reliability, quality, and operational efficiency.
• Troubleshoot technical and operational issues while implementing sustainable corrective actions.
• Support equipment upgrades, process optimization, automation initiatives, and modernization efforts.
• Leverage data and performance metrics to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Safety, FSQA, Procurement, and external vendors to successfully execute projects.
• Communicate project updates, technical information, risks, and timelines to stakeholders at all levels of the organization.
• Support commercialization initiatives and new product implementation.
• Build strong relationships across departments to ensure successful project execution and long-term operational performance.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or another related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 5-10 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Demonstrated success leading capital projects valued at $500,000 or more from concept through startup, including ownership of project scope, budgets, schedules, vendor coordination, and execution.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing priorities, timelines, budgets, and stakeholder expectations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement sustainable engineering solutions.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Working knowledge of CAD software, engineering design principles, and project management best practices.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and translate technical concepts into actionable plans.
• Experience in food manufacturing or other regulated industries (USDA, FDA, pharmaceutical, or similar) is preferred but not required.

Why Express Interest Now?
This is a continuous opening designed to build our engineering talent pipeline.
As Clemens Food Group continues to grow, we regularly hire experienced Project Engineers across multiple manufacturing facilities. By expressing your interest now, you'll be among the first considered as opportunities become available that align with your background, experience, and preferred location.
What Happens After You Apply?
Here's what you can expect if your background aligns with our current or future hiring needs:

• Recruiter Conversation: A recruiter will connect with you to learn more about your engineering background, project experience, career goals, and preferred location.
• Hiring Manager Interview: Qualified candidates will participate in a virtual interview focused on project leadership, engineering expertise, and technical problem-solving.
• Pipeline Confirmation: Candidates who successfully complete the initial interview process will remain in our active Project Engineer talent pipeline.
• Future Opportunity: When a Project Engineer opening becomes available that matches your background, we'll reconnect to complete the remaining interview process, including assessments and onsite interviews as applicable.

Why Clemens Food Group?
For more than 130 years, Clemens Food Group has been guided by one simple principle: Do the Right Thing.
As a family-owned, fully integrated food company, we operate across the entire supply chain-from raising livestock to delivering finished products. Our engineers play a vital role in shaping the future of our manufacturing operations by leading capital investments, implementing innovative solutions, and partnering with teams across the business to drive operational excellence.
At Clemens, you'll find meaningful work, opportunities to grow, and a culture built on collaboration, continuous improvement, and doing what's right for our people, customers, and communities.
Travel Requirements
Travel up to 15-25% may be required to support project implementation, vendor visits, and collaboration across Clemens Food Group facilities.
Agency Statement
Clemens Food Group does not accept unsolicited resumes from search or staffing firms. All resumes submitted by search or staffing firms to any employee at Clemens Food Group via email, the Internet, or directly without a valid written search agreement for this role, and without having been asked to participate in this by Talent Acquisition, will be deemed the sole property of Clemens Food Group, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired. Firms not authorized to submit candidates will not be eligible for any fee or ownership claim.
Disclaimer & EEOC Statement:
It is the policy of Clemens Food Group to provide 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 protected by federal, state or local law. All employees are subject to a pre-employment screening process including a background check and drug screen. In addition, we will provide reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to your recruiter.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.