Packaging Engineer

McKee Foods Corporation•Stuarts Draft, VA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

McKee Foods is seeking a Project Engineer to join our Plant Engineering team. In this role, you will be responsible for providing engineering support to our manufacturing facility in Virginia. This includes the design, re-design, specification, procurement, installation, and start-up of packaging equipment and systems. You will work closely with manufacturing, maintenance, and other engineering disciplines to ensure that packaging systems are designed and implemented to meet the needs of the business. You will also be responsible for managing capital projects, including budget, schedule, and technical performance. The successful candidate will lead projects through the full lifecycle: Coordinate safety department reviews and SRAs to ensure worker protection, ergonomic access, and regulatory compliance Design equipment for accessibility and tool-free changeovers to maximize line efficiency and support maintenance teams Develop SOPs and SOCs to institutionalize theory of operation guides for technical training Lead cross-departmental conversations with Production, Manufacturing, Shipping, and Transportation to ensure organizational alignment and integrated project work lists Apply expertise in servo-driven systems, multi-axis synchronization, and electronic camming for high-speed indexing Design and re-design modular belt conveyors and accumulation systems Implement food-safety engineering principles, selecting appropriate materials and ensuring designs meet wash-down standards Utilize department dashboards to manage workloads effectively, ensuring internal customers feel valued through high-quality project delivery Participate in Process Improvement Team (PIT) projects and collaborate with E-Techs and Packaging Mechanics to solve cross-departmental technical issues Take ownership of projects while collaborating to solve production challenges Analyze and validate packaging systems for efficiency and future capabilities Design equipment layouts for optimal flow, accessibility, cleanability, and maintainability Optimize user experience in areas such as ergonomics, safety, and intuitive use Assess and mitigate risks through calculations, simulations, testing, and documentation Plan for equipment obsolescence and implement aftermarket modifications Build strong relationships with OEMs, integrators, and internal teams to drive innovation Stay informed on market trends in packaging and material handling technology Integrate multiple equipment pieces into seamless production solutions Lead installations, manage startups, and ensure smooth transitions for new or upgraded equipment Function independently as a project manager or within a larger team Support continuous improvement through collaboration, analysis, and problem-solving Work with technical professionals to bring ideas to reality

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (or a related engineering field) from an ABET- accredited institution
High level of initiative, assertiveness, and self-direction
Demonstrated record of successful project management
Aptitude for organizing and prioritizing multiple project activities
Ability to excel in a project team environment
Strong analytical problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
Excellent ability to communicate with people of all backgrounds at various levels

Nice To Haves

Prior CPG or Food/Beverage Manufacturing experience
Knowledge and interest of kinematics and machine design
Interest in robotics and high-level automation
Interest in sanitary design and ergonomics
Interest in quantitative methods for system sizing, tolerance evaluation, and robustness
Experience engineering capital projects including equipment and product flow design, equipment selection, integration and design, equipment installation and commissioning
Hands-on experience in a manufacturing environment
Experience in sanitary design for a food-manufacturing environment
Lean or six sigma training and/or experience
Experience using CAD and/or design software (preferably SolidWorks)
Familiarity with electrical controls (Rockwell/Allen Bradley)
Knowledge of shop practices (machine and fabrication)

Responsibilities

Coordinate safety department reviews and SRAs to ensure worker protection, ergonomic access, and regulatory compliance
Design equipment for accessibility and tool-free changeovers to maximize line efficiency and support maintenance teams
Develop SOPs and SOCs to institutionalize theory of operation guides for technical training
Lead cross-departmental conversations with Production, Manufacturing, Shipping, and Transportation to ensure organizational alignment and integrated project work lists
Apply expertise in servo-driven systems, multi-axis synchronization, and electronic camming for high-speed indexing
Design and re-design modular belt conveyors and accumulation systems
Implement food-safety engineering principles, selecting appropriate materials and ensuring designs meet wash-down standards
Utilize department dashboards to manage workloads effectively, ensuring internal customers feel valued through high-quality project delivery
Participate in Process Improvement Team (PIT) projects and collaborate with E-Techs and Packaging Mechanics to solve cross-departmental technical issues
Take ownership of projects while collaborating to solve production challenges
Analyze and validate packaging systems for efficiency and future capabilities
Design equipment layouts for optimal flow, accessibility, cleanability, and maintainability
Optimize user experience in areas such as ergonomics, safety, and intuitive use
Assess and mitigate risks through calculations, simulations, testing, and documentation
Plan for equipment obsolescence and implement aftermarket modifications
Build strong relationships with OEMs, integrators, and internal teams to drive innovation
Stay informed on market trends in packaging and material handling technology
Integrate multiple equipment pieces into seamless production solutions
Lead installations, manage startups, and ensure smooth transitions for new or upgraded equipment
Function independently as a project manager or within a larger team
Support continuous improvement through collaboration, analysis, and problem-solving
Work with technical professionals to bring ideas to reality