Capital Project Engineer

Michigan Milk Producers Assoc • Ovid, MI

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Capital Project Engineer is based at MMPA's Ovid manufacturing facility and is responsible for developing and delivering capital projects that protect plant integrity, sustain and increase throughput, and build the manufacturing capability required for future growth. This role leads assigned capital projects from concept through commissioning and turnover, working closely with Operations, Manufacturing Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, Environmental, and Operational Technology/Automation teams to ensure projects are successfully executed and deliver lasting value to the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of five (5) years of engineering and/or capital project management experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects from concept through commissioning and startup.
• Experience working with contractors, vendors, engineering consultants, and equipment suppliers.
• Strong understanding of industrial equipment, manufacturing systems, and project management principles.
• Experience with project estimating, budgeting, scheduling, and financial control.
• Strong technical problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Knowledge of manufacturing operations, equipment reliability, and continuous improvement principles.

Nice To Haves

• Food, dairy, or consumer packaged goods manufacturing experience.
• Experience with high-volume processing or packaging operations.
• Experience with industrial utilities, facility infrastructure, automation, or controls systems.
• Familiarity with food safety programs such as SQF.
• Experience with Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.

Responsibilities

• Partner with plant leadership, Manufacturing Engineering, and Maintenance to identify capital investment opportunities that improve reliability, capacity, throughput, safety, and operational performance.
• Develop project scopes, conceptual designs, technical alternatives, cost estimates, and project schedules.
• Support development of annual and long-range capital plans.
• Identify opportunities to modernize equipment and infrastructure, eliminate production constraints, and improve manufacturing capabilities.
• Prepare technical documentation and business cases for capital project approval.
• Lead capital projects from approved scope through completion.
• Manage engineering consultants, contractors, vendors, and equipment suppliers.
• Develop and maintain project budgets, schedules, forecasts, and progress reports.
• Coordinate construction and installation activities while minimizing disruption to ongoing production.
• Manage project scope, technical changes, risks, and issue resolution throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality standards.
• Partner with Manufacturing Engineering to translate manufacturing needs and performance objectives into capital solutions.
• Collaborate with Maintenance to ensure equipment is reliable, maintainable, and effectively integrated into maintenance systems.
• Engage Operations teams throughout project planning, execution, startup, and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate with Automation and OT teams on projects involving controls, SCADA systems, automation, and plant networks.
• Incorporate applicable food safety, quality, environmental, and safety requirements into project designs.
• Lead equipment commissioning, startup, and performance verification activities.
• Establish and validate project acceptance criteria.
• Coordinate training for operators and maintenance personnel.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) requirements and documentation.
• Ensure turnover packages include drawings, manuals, asset information, and other required documentation.
• Complete project closeout activities and capture lessons learned.

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health and wellness benefits with medical coverage through Blue Cross Blue Shield, including mental health benefits
• Disability insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement including 401k with employer contributions
• Personal and professional growth opportunities
• Employee appreciation events and recognition awards
• Employee wellness initiatives
• Employee feedback and suggestion forums

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level