Manufacturing Engineer

WATERSHED FOODS LLC•Gridley, IL

6d•$105,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

As a Manufacturing Engineer, you will play a key role in supporting and improving our food manufacturing equipment and processes. You will collaborate closely with Mechanical and Controls Engineers to design and develop new equipment, production lines, and manufacturing processes. In addition, you will support ongoing operations by supporting lean initiatives, driving equipment upgrades, and implementing waste reduction projects to improve efficiency and product quality.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Manufacturing Engineering (or related discipline).
Minimum 5 years of experience in a food manufacturing engineering role or related field.
Demonstrated experience managing capital projects and implementing process improvements.
Proficiency in 3D CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and process flow design.
Strong understanding of lean manufacturing principles and root cause analysis techniques.
Knowledge of GMP, HACCP, and SQF requirements.
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and lead multidisciplinary project teams.

Responsibilities

Lead the design, specification, installation, and commissioning of new food processing equipment and systems.
Apply sanitary design principles and food safety requirements in all engineering activities.
Evaluate and improve existing manufacturing lines for performance, reliability, and compliance.
Plan and manage capital projects from concept through execution, including vendor evaluation, procurement, budget control, and startup.
Prepare and maintain detailed project documentation including process flow diagrams, schedules, and risk assessments.
Analyze production processes and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements, waste reduction, and cost savings.
Collaborate with operations, quality, and maintenance teams to implement lean manufacturing initiatives and continuous improvement projects.
Work closely with Controls Engineers and vendors to support the integration and troubleshooting of automation systems (PLCs, HMIs, SCADA).
Ensure seamless equipment and system communication across plant operations.
Ensure adherence to FDA, USDA, and food safety standards including GMP, HACCP, and SQF.
Maintain a strong focus on employee and food safety in all engineering work.
Act as a technical liaison between Engineering, Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and external vendors.
Participate in cross-functional teams to drive innovation and resolve production issues.