Principal Engineer - Packaging Equipment

Conagra Brands•Chicago, IL

7d•$109,000 - $159,000•Remote

About The Position

This Corporate Engineering role provides technical leadership to identify and develop strategies and projects that deliver business value. The Principal Engineer works with cross-functional teams to review requirements and develop optimized technical solutions for manufacturing operations through innovation, automation, and continuous improvement. The position develops and governs manufacturing-platform strategies and programs, applies packaging-equipment expertise and works with third-party engineering partners and original equipment manufacturers to develop labor-reducing and cost-saving automation projects. It provides technical and economic feasibility analysis, supports project definition and execution, and helps improve existing packaging operations. The role is based in Omaha, Nebraska; Chicago, Illinois; select field locations; or remote locations east of Denver, Colorado, within reasonable proximity (50 miles) to a major airport. Travel of up to 50% is required to support plant operations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Packaging Engineering.
At least 7 years of experience in food manufacturing with packaging system design.
Experience leading teams and solving complex technical challenges.
Subject matter expertise in one or more areas of food production line packaging equipment.
Experience with machine design and work in a USDA- or FDA-regulated manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated success developing and implementing automation and robotic solutions.
Experience in project engineering and project execution.
Knowledge of continuous improvement applications within engineering design.
Experience translating project requirements into technical solutions using sound engineering principles.
Strong experience in packaging equipment engineering and its practical application.
Willingness to travel up to 50% to support plant operations.

Responsibilities

Identify, develop, roll out, and govern key strategies and programs across the manufacturing platform.
Develop labor-reducing and cost-saving automation projects using subject matter expertise and working with third-party engineering partners and original equipment manufacturers.
Monitor industry regulations and codes related to packaging equipment system design and operations, and recommend improvements to programs, policies, and goals.
Provide technical and economic feasibility analysis for business initiatives.
Develop complete Front End Loading packages, including technology assessments and recommended solutions; physical location layouts and general arrangement drawings; infrastructure requirements and needs assessments; equipment acceptance criteria and testing and acceptance trial support; equipment and system performance criteria; and alternatives, prerequisites, risks, and opportunities.
Partner with engineering teams to establish project cost, schedule, risk, and startup requirements.
Write detailed functional control descriptions for unit operations and processing systems.
Review Front End Loading packages or equivalent deliverables for accuracy, completeness, and operational effectiveness.
Develop rough-order-of-magnitude estimates to guide early business cases.
Troubleshoot and drive continuous improvement of existing packaging operations.
Lead machine design improvements and equipment modifications.
Conduct production plant site surveys and assessments, and provide support to sites as needed.