Principal Mechanical Engineer - Utilities

Ingredion•Westchester, IL
•Hybrid

About The Position

The Principal Mechanical Engineer provides global technical leadership and subject matter expertise for industrial utility and energy systems across Ingredion facilities and business segments. The role supports manufacturing, safety, quality, reliability, sustainability, energy, and cost objectives, with primary expertise in boilers and feedwater systems, HRSGs, steam and gas turbines, combined-cycle cogeneration and CHP, balance-of-plant equipment, steam, fuel and compressed-air distribution, and pressure-relief systems. The engineer supports utility master planning, system design, equipment selection and specification, troubleshooting, reliability improvement, project development and review, commissioning, startup, and post-implementation performance verification. The role also mentors engineers, resolves complex technical issues, and develops and deploys global engineering standards, Best Operating Practices, and asset-management strategies. It reports to the Director of Global Process Engineering, Utilities.

Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
  • Extensive experience in mechanical engineering and plant manufacturing.
  • Experience with industrial utility and energy systems, including the systems and engineering activities described in the posting.

Nice To Haves

  • Multi-site, regional, or global experience.

Responsibilities

  • Provide global mechanical engineering leadership and technical expertise for industrial utility systems, including assessments, master planning, engineering studies, specifications, design reviews, troubleshooting, optimization, and lifecycle improvement.
  • Support boiler, boiler-feedwater, deaerator, HRSG, steam-distribution, pressure-reduction, condensate-recovery, boiler-auxiliary, pressure-reducing-valve, and safety-valve systems.
  • Apply working knowledge of steam and gas turbines, combined-cycle cogeneration and CHP systems, microturbines, gas compressors, generators, heat recovery, balance-of-plant equipment, operating modes, performance monitoring, and integration with plant utility demand.
  • Provide expertise in steam, compressed-air, and fuel distribution systems, emphasizing safe design, pressure control, integrity, reliability, and energy-loss reduction.
  • Develop utility mass and energy balances, demand profiles, capacity and redundancy assessments, equipment sizing, hydraulic analyses, and efficiency evaluations.
  • Lead troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and reliability improvement for utility systems and mechanical integrity concerns.
  • Lead critical utility asset management, including asset database governance, mechanical repair-shop and vendor qualification, lifecycle planning, and risk-based maintenance strategies.
  • Evaluate capital projects for technology selection, utility scope and tie-ins, design basis, equipment sizing, maintainability, constructability, commissioning readiness, budget adequacy, and alignment with business objectives.
  • Apply engineering and financial analysis to prioritize utility reliability, energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and lifecycle-cost opportunities.
  • Engage operations, maintenance, engineering, EHSSQ, procurement, and business stakeholders to address complex utility issues and deliver solutions.
  • Identify mechanical integrity, process safety, environmental, and operational gaps in utility systems and drive improvements to strengthen global EHSSQ compliance.
  • Identify and deploy utility technologies and condition-monitoring practices; lead deviation treatment and root cause resolution for complex utility and mechanical problems across multiple sites.
  • Apply IPS operational governance, process standardization, and deviation-treatment knowledge to utility systems and critical equipment.
  • Develop utility Best Operating Practices, critical operating and maintenance routines, training, and adherence tracking.
  • Document and share utility performance improvements, success cases, and lessons learned to improve key performance indicators and global standardization.
  • Collaborate globally and make effective use of resources across regions to address technical requirements.
  • Mentor and train early-career process engineers.

Benefits

  • Competitive salary and performance-based pay.
  • Health coverage and wellness resources supporting physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
  • Long-term savings resources.
  • Flexible work arrangements.
  • Learning, training, and development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement.
  • Employee recognition program with personalized recognition rewards.
  • Employee discounts on products, services, and travel.
  • Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • 401(k) plan with company match.
  • May be eligible for the Ingredion Annual Incentive Plan or a role-specific commission or bonus.
  • Within-country relocation available.
© 2026 Teal Labs, Inc
Privacy PolicyTerms of Service