Operations Engineer – Operations Rotation Program

Morton Salt•Eastlake, MI

14h•Onsite

About The Position

The Operations Rotation Program is a 12-month development program at an evaporation or solar site for production, technical, and leadership development. As part of this operations rotation program, this engineer will join a cohort of five participants, working alongside four other engineers located across various sites within the evaporation and solar divisions. This program is for chemical, industrial, or mechanical engineers who have recently earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, or a master’s degree in engineering. Over the course of the program, the engineer will participate in three to four distinct rotational assignments, ranging from three to four months in length. Rotations may include working in the following departments: Production, Mill, Maintenance, Shipping. The Operations Rotation Program begins in Summer 2026, and this program participant will be selected to join our Manistee, MI location for the duration of the program. Important: At the end of the 12-month program, graduates will have the opportunity to interview for full-time placement in a technical or managerial role at one of our U.S. evaporation or solar plants. These roles are based on business needs and candidate fit, and may require relocation to a different plant location anywhere in the United States. Candidates should anticipate and be prepared for this potential second relocation as part of their long-term career growth with Morton Salt. Each program participant will gain exposure to fundamentals in a manufacturing environment, such as: Safety leadership, Supervisory leadership, Maintenance planning, Systems, process and product technologies, Operational management, Financial and sales acumen. About the Program: Rotations are designed around a business unit’s specific needs and provide exposure to the site’s senior management team. Rotations provide a “big picture” view of the business and hands-on experiences to grow your engineering skills in multiple technical areas. Program participants are assigned a mentor at the beginning of their placement who assists in their development. After each rotation, program participants will present on their rotational experience to the Business Unit President, CHRO, and other Operations leaders. Program participants will receive formal and informal feedback throughout each rotation to ensure continued growth. Program participants will develop the following competencies: Leadership, Teamwork, Problem-solving, Communication, Technical Skills. Throughout the program, the program participant will be professionally prepared to contribute to their designated assignment and able to fully embrace the organization’s culture and environment while embodying the company’s Mission, Vision, and Values. What we are looking for: Candidates who will take initiative to drive results, execute goals, and demonstrate a desire to learn and grow. Demonstrated desire to develop technical and leadership skills in a manufacturing environment, while furthering their career and long-term impact at Morton Salt.

Requirements

Engineering Degree (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing, or Industrial preferred), with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
0-2 years’ experience in an engineering capacity
Ability to relocate for the duration of the program to an assigned site, and again at the end of the program, based on business need and fit.
Knowledge of engineering principles, theory, and engineering experience gained through projects, internships, and/or relevant work experiences
Fundamental understanding of engineering for a manufacturing environment, ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention
Flexible, adaptable, and demonstrates a willingness to learn
Strong communication and analytical skills, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills
Self-directed, excellent initiative, strong organizational skills
Thrives in a team-oriented, fast-paced environment
Comfortable leading people in various manufacturing capacities
Exhibit strong ability to handle demands with a sense of urgency

Nice To Haves

Relevant internships / co-ops / apprenticeships, preferably in a manufacturing environment
Demonstrated leadership in professional, service, social, or student organizations

Responsibilities

Monitor and revise processes to improve the safety, quality and efficiency of the product and / or process and generate cost savings.
Responsible for activities related to the development of new processes including researching current and emerging technologies, evaluating process safety, quality and cost.
Apply engineering understanding in a hands-on environment, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with others for optimal results.
Identify and solve issues with processes and equipment. Troubleshoot possible causes and coordinate the activities of maintenance, production and other available resources to implement cost effective solutions.
Apply mechanical, manufacturing, systems and/or industrial engineering knowledge to analyze and optimize an engineering process or processes.
Improve plant performance by designing and implementing engineering proposals, process requirements, and related technical data pertaining to industrial machinery and equipment design.
Implement control procedures to achieve project objectives.
Determine feasibility of replacing or modifying plant equipment and facilities considering costs, available space, time limitations, and other technical and economic factors.
Prepare budgets for capital projects by generating scope of work, cost estimates, project papers, technical specifications, and rate of return (ROI).
Oversee the procurement and coordination of necessary materials, equipment, and people to support construction activities. Monitor vendor and contractor performance to achieve project deliverables.
Lead all aspects of project implementation, from planning and scheduling to execution and closeout, while ensuring adherence to safety and quality standards. Manage and mitigate project risks, resolving issues and conflicts to maintain project momentum.
Collaborate and communicate effectively with all project stakeholders and ensure cohesive flow and distribution of project administration and requirements.
Ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.
Participate in all safety processes, lead by example, and ensure all contractors adhere to all safety policies and procedures.