Principal Energy / Sustainability Engineer

CONAGRA • Chicago, IL

14d • Remote

About The Position

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you’ll develop strategy and execute programs that reduce energy and water consumption, carbon emissions, and costs across manufacturing facilities in North America and Mexico. You’ll guide utilization of the UMAP (utilities monitoring analytics platform) platform across facilities, collaborate with cross‑functional partners, evaluate technologies, and deliver scalable improvements in energy performance and sustainability outcomes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in energy management, utilities engineering, or sustainability within industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Strong working knowledge of industrial energy systems, including electrical, compressed air, steam, boilers, and water and wastewater systems.
• Experience developing, evaluating, and implementing energy efficiency and carbon reduction projects.
• Experience reading and interpreting engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Experience with data analytics and performance reporting.
• Experience training and mentoring teams in technical energy and sustainability topics.
• Strong financial analysis skills related to project justification and performance tracking.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and PowerPoint.
• This position is located in Omaha NE, Chicago IL, select field locations or remote locations East of Denver, CO and within reasonable proximity (50 miles) to a major airport
• Willingness to travel up to 50 percent within North America

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical subject matter expert for utilities efficiencies, optimization, and carbon reduction initiatives.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, specifications, guidelines, and best practices related to utilities.
• Identify, evaluate, and apply emerging technologies and industry best practices.
• Promote efficiency improvements in lighting, compressed air systems, electrical, steam and condensate systems, and water usage, including wastewater, process water, and sanitation.
• Provide technical guidance, training, and mentoring to engineering, operations, and maintenance teams.
• Lead and support energy and carbon reduction projects, ensuring commitments align with climate pledge goals.
• Manage projects against plans and goals to achieve desired performance outcomes.
• Prepare technical briefs, assessments, and analyses to support capital projects.
• Conduct cost and benefit analysis for energy‑related needs and contribute to budget preparation for utility and energy retrofits.
• Track current and future reduction initiative projects to support long-term sustainability targets.
• Support UMAP utilization and utilities consumption evaluation with site teams.
• Plan for future metering expansion and support utility metering and sub‑metering growth.
• Quantify energy savings, emissions reductions, and financial impacts of initiatives.

Benefits

• Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement
• Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan
• Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on-demand learning and tuition reimbursement
• Balance: Paid-time off, parental leave, flexible work-schedules (subject to your location and role) and volunteer opportunities

What This Job Offers

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