Production Engineer

PetIQ•Richland I, NE

About The Position

This position provides production engineering support for day-to-day manufacturing facility operations. The Plant Production/Packaging Engineer coordinates and controls plant engineering activities to improve production processes and layouts, while supporting manufacturing and product packaging implementation. The role also manages packaging designs across current product lines and partners with cross-functional teams to develop, prototype, and launch new packaging solutions. The engineer designs and specifies equipment, processes, procedures, layouts, and systems; leads capital equipment installation projects and purchase recommendations; supports equipment repairs and preventive maintenance scheduling; and investigates production breakdowns and process issues. The position contributes to operational improvements, increased OEE and throughput, facility master planning, project management, and continuous improvement to reduce the seven wastes. The role also develops engineering and manufacturing specifications, documents protocols, supports compliance with government regulations, and maintains current environmental permits and inspections. Additional work includes production time studies, product quoting and costing, review of technical publications, and other duties as needed or assigned.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering is required.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Excellent written, oral, and computer communication skills, including the ability to communicate in person, by letters, emails, and reports, and over the phone.
Ability to read and interpret safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals, and to write end-of-job reports and correspondence.
Strong electrical and mechanical knowledge, application, and ability.
Ability to use AutoCAD and apply 3D drawing and blueprint skills.
Ability to safely and successfully perform essential job functions consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other applicable standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.
Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with ADA, FMLA, and other applicable standards.
Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs.

Nice To Haves

Preferably a degree in industrial, manufacturing, or mechanical engineering.
1–2 years of manufacturing-environment experience covering hydraulics, pneumatics, electrical systems, PLC control, mechanical systems, boilers, high-speed equipment applications, and robotics automation.
1–2 years of project management experience.

Responsibilities

Coordinate and control plant engineering activities to improve production processes and layouts.
Develop packaging concepts in coordination with finished products and materials, ensuring compatibility with the manufacturing unit.
Review and help develop dielines to ensure compliance with packaging concepts and manufacturing processes.
Provide technical support to engineering and support manufacturing and product packaging implementation.
Document engineering protocols and develop engineering and manufacturing specifications in compliance with applicable government regulations.
Develop labor and overhead costs.
Assist with product display development and determine efficient plans for supplies and assembly.
Manage and evolve packaging designs across current product lines and partner with cross-functional teams to conceptualize, prototype, and launch new packaging solutions.
Design and specify equipment, processes, procedures, layouts, and systems.
Lead capital equipment installation projects and recommend equipment purchases.
Support equipment repairs and preventive maintenance scheduling.
Investigate production breakdowns and process issues.
Improve current operations to increase OEE and throughput.
Establish and maintain a Facility Master Plan.
Lead team members under the employee's direction to ensure projects advance on schedule.
Understand and support PetIQ's mission, business, products, and quality goals and objectives.
Keep environmental compliance permits and inspections current, including those for boilers, wastewater, air quality, fire systems, and backflow prevention.
Review technical problems, processes, and procedures and recommend solutions or procedural changes.
Complete production time studies, product quoting, and other costing exercises to determine manufacturing costs.
Review technical publications, articles, and abstracts to stay current with industry engineering and technical developments.
Implement a continuous improvement program to reduce the seven wastes: transport, waiting, motion, overproduction, extra processing, inventory, and defects.
Manage and engineer expense and capital projects for plant process improvements, new plant equipment, and plant expansions.
Perform other duties as needed or assigned.