Project Engineer

Nature's Bakery•Hazelwood, MO

11d

About The Position

At Nature’s Bakery, we believe simple, wholesome snacks can make a meaningful difference. We’re committed to quality, integrity, and continuous improvement—working together to deliver great products while supporting our people and communities. Position Summary The Project Manager, Engineering is responsible for planning, coordinating, and executing engineering projects that support equipment reliability, asset lifecycle management, and maintenance-driven improvements within our food manufacturing operations. This role is less focused on greenfield growth and new line design, and more focused on sustaining and improving existing assets. This includes reducing downtime, improving safety and maintainability, and extending equipment life through well-managed projects. The role partners closely with Maintenance and Operations to deliver practical, on-time solutions that keep the plant running efficiently. The ideal candidate is a strong project manager with an engineering foundation who enjoys working in the plant, translating technical needs into executable plans, and driving projects that directly impact uptime and performance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering preferred
Associate’s degree with equivalent relevant work experience considered
2–5 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
Working knowledge of processing and packaging systems
Ability to read, create, and interpret PFDs and P&IDs
Proficiency with 3D modeling software (SolidWorks, Inventor, or similar)
Experience with AutoCAD
Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP preferred)
Understanding of machine design principles and process engineering fundamentals
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize effectively
Detail-oriented with strong problem-solving capabilities
Comfortable working cross-functionally in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Nice To Haves

Food, baking, packaging, or consumer goods manufacturing experience strongly preferred

Responsibilities

Maintenance & Reliability Project Leadership Lead engineering projects focused on equipment upgrades, refurbishments, replacements, and reliability improvements
Manage projects that address chronic downtime, obsolescence, safety risks, and maintenance pain points
Support lifecycle planning for critical production and packaging assets
Project Management & Execution Own project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables for maintenance-driven capital and expense projects
Coordinate internal resources (maintenance, operations, quality, safety, automation) to execute work with minimal production disruption
Develop project plans, risk assessments, and installation/turnaround schedules
Technical & Engineering Support Develop and maintain process documentation including PFDs, P&IDs, layouts, and equipment specifications as needed
Support equipment troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action projects
Ensure solutions are practical, maintainable, and aligned with plant standards
Vendor & Contractor Management Interface with OEMs, contractors, and integrators for equipment repair, upgrades, and services
Support vendor selection, scope development, and on-site execution oversight
Ensure contractor work meets safety, quality, and engineering standards
Compliance & Continuous Improvement Ensure all projects comply with food safety, quality, safety, and regulatory requirements
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to improve reliability, reduce downtime, and improve maintainability
Support standardization of equipment, parts, and maintenance practices where possible
Systems & Documentation Utilize ERP systems (SAP preferred) for project tracking, procurement, and documentation
Maintain accurate project records, as-built documentation, and asset-related updates.