Project Engineer
About The Position
The Process Engineering Lead is responsible for leading process design, commercialization, and continuous improvement across bakery manufacturing operations. The role applies expertise in dough systems, thermal processing, and high-speed production to scale up new products and optimize efficiency, yield, and quality. It partners with cross-functional teams to translate product innovation into reliable manufacturing processes and leads capital projects from concept through startup. The position leads bakery product transitions from pilot to full-scale production; works with R&D and Quality to support manufacturability, consistency, and food safety; establishes and documents process parameters; and supports plant trials and product launches. It also leads process design and equipment implementation for capital projects, oversees installation and startup, and drives operational improvements using root cause analysis, statistical tools, Lean, and Six Sigma. The role provides engineering support for bakery utilities and thermal systems, including process controls and PLC-based automation. It is based in La Vergne, Tennessee, and requires domestic travel of approximately 30%, depending on business needs. The position reports to the VP of Engineering.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Food, or a related Engineering field.
- At least five years of progressive experience in commercial bakery or thermal food manufacturing.
- Lean / Six Sigma certification.
- Strong knowledge of dough rheology, fermentation, baking science, and moisture control.
- Experience with high-speed automated production lines and packaging systems.
- Proven experience leading capital projects and collaborating cross-functionally.
- Solid understanding of GMPs, HACCP, sanitary design, and food safety standards.
- Experience with PLC systems and manufacturing automation.
- Strong business acumen and ability to connect process improvements to cost, yield, and product quality outcomes.
- Ability to optimize processes, improve yield, and ensure product quality and consistency.
- Experience launching new products and translating formulations into scalable production.
- Knowledge of capital project execution, including process design, equipment selection, and line startups.
- Strong problem-solving skills, including root cause analysis and data-driven process improvement.
- Ability to influence plant leadership and drive sustainable operational change.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with Allen Bradley PLC systems.
Responsibilities
- Lead the transition of bakery products from pilot to full-scale production, including mixing, proofing, forming, baking, cooling, slicing, and packaging.
- Collaborate with R&D and Quality to optimize formulations for manufacturability, consistency, and food safety.
- Establish, validate, and document critical process parameters, including mix times, hydration levels, fermentation profiles, oven curves, and moisture targets.
- Drive and support plant trials and launches of new products and line extensions.
- Lead process design for bakery capital projects, including PFDs, P&IDs, line layouts, equipment specifications, and cost estimates.
- Specify and implement bakery equipment, including mixers, dividers, proofers, tunnel ovens, conveyors, cooling systems, and packaging lines.
- Oversee installation, commissioning, validation, and startup of production lines and system upgrades.
- Work with contractors and vendors to deliver projects safely, on time, and within budget.
- Improve yield, reduce scrap and downtime, and increase throughput.
- Lead root cause analysis of bakery process and equipment issues.
- Apply statistical tools such as DOE and SPC to improve process capability and consistency.
- Champion Lean and Six Sigma initiatives across production lines.
- Provide engineering support for bakery utilities, including steam systems, ammonia refrigeration, compressed air, chilled water, and electrical infrastructure.
- Support optimization of oven performance, heat transfer efficiency, and energy utilization.
- Contribute to preventive maintenance practices and process control systems, including PLC-based automation.
- Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by the VP of Engineering.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
