Mechanical Engineer - Proliant Dairy Ingredients

LGI Homes•St. Johns, MI

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineer applies engineering principles to design, improve, and develop facilities, equipment, machinery, testing systems, and manufacturing processes across Proliant Dairy’s manufacturing sites. The position may be based from a home office and requires frequent travel to manufacturing sites, including St. Johns, Michigan, and Melrose, Minnesota. Candidates within commuting distance of the St. Johns facility are preferred. Travel may be up to 50%. The role involves work in both a general office and pilot or manufacturing plant environments.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related field.
Two to five years of experience as a Mechanical Engineer in the food industry.
Knowledge of engineering practices and principles and the ability to develop, analyze, and implement engineering methods and processes.
Knowledge of industrial engineering design and drafting, including modifying plans for existing facilities.
Ability to interpret and communicate engineering plans and specifications.
Knowledge of manufacturing costs associated with engineering designs and equipment, and ability to prepare written product feasibility reports.
Ability to interpret production data, conduct production capacity studies, and prepare written recommendations.
Ability to perform basic engineering calculations, including mechanical, structural, and mass and energy balances.
Ability to operate software programs for computer-aided design and to draft for mechanical and industrial disciplines.
Knowledge and experience with AutoCAD.
Knowledge of industrial and mechanical engineering, piping, and utility systems.
Experience with process control design and instrumentation design and selection.
Knowledge of food safety, GMP, and HAACP.
Ability to work daily and extended hours as necessary and travel up to 50%.
Ability to work independently, take initiative, and function effectively in a team environment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality concerning product development information, engineering methods and techniques, and current or future projects.
Skills in mathematics, communication, and organization.

Nice To Haves

Experience with dairy processes, evaporation, drying, membrane filtration (UF/RO/NF), or spray drying.
Location within commuting distance of the St. Johns, Michigan facility.

Responsibilities

Analyze product and equipment specifications and performance requirements to determine designs that can be produced using existing manufacturing or processing facilities and methods.
Analyze engineering proposals, process requirements, and related technical data for industrial machinery and equipment design.
Determine the feasibility of designing new processes or modifying existing processes, considering costs, space, time limitations, company planning, and other technical and economic factors.
Provide technical information on manufacturing or processing techniques, materials, properties, and process advantages and limitations for long-range plant and product engineering planning.
Establish objectives and parameters before implementation, then compile and analyze operational, test, and research data to establish performance standards for new or modified equipment.
Prepare capital expenditure requests that identify scope, timelines, justification, alternatives, and return on investment.
Update project designs using CAD tools.
Recognize and implement applicable industry codes, recommended practices, and local ordinances, including 3-A Dairy Standard, PMO, and NFPA requirements.
Work with production personnel to maximize plant efficiency.
Modify and adapt equipment and machinery to advance product processes from pilot plant to full manufacturing-plant capacity.
Perform engineering calculations, production data interpretation, capacity studies, and written recommendations or feasibility reports for management.
Communicate and coordinate effectively with contractors, vendors, suppliers, customers, and other business contacts.
Manage multiple projects and tasks simultaneously, working proactively with a team and with limited supervision when needed.