PROJECT ENGINEER

Joseph Gallo Cheese Company•Atwater, CA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Joseph Gallo Farms is seeking a hands-on Project Engineer to lead improvement projects across their Atwater manufacturing site. In this role, the Project Engineer will partner closely with operations, maintenance, quality, and outside vendors to deliver work safely, on time, and on budget. The company is a respected premium all-natural cheese maker, in its third generation as a family business, committed to sustainable practices, profitability, and being a responsible employer and community participant. They pride themselves on hiring top-notch talent who share their commitment to customers and quality products.

Requirements

5+ years’ experience in plant equipment / mechanical engineering.
BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
Demonstrated proficiency in engineering and project management software tools, including CAD and MS Office.
Working knowledge of the engineering project lifecycle.
Knowledge of system controls and sensors for manufacturing processes.
Knowledge of construction trades.
Sound problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with varying levels of management and Joseph Gallo Farms team members.
Able to plan, organize, prioritize, and execute tasks in a changing and demanding work environment.
Self-motivated, with strong ownership of tasks assigned.

Responsibilities

Lead projects from ideation through design, procurement, installation, commissioning, and final closeout.
Develop & manage project charters, scope, capital justifications (ROI, payback, cost savings), and detailed project budgets.
Create & maintain project schedules (Gantt charts), resource plans, and milestones to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
Develop equipment layouts, utility requirements, and process flow diagrams (PFDs) and P&IDs.
Develop equipment specifications and RFQs/RFIs; evaluate technical proposals and recommend vendor selection.
Lead design reviews (process, mechanical, electrical, controls) and ensure alignment with plant standards.
Coordinate FAT/SAT, startup planning, commissioning checklists, and operational handoff to operations and maintenance teams.
Ensure proper documentation turnover including as-builts, O&M manuals, spare parts lists, and training materials.
Manage multiple capital and improvement projects, engaging with both internal teams and external partners.
Work with internal teams to gather information about products, speeds, methods, and materials to inform design decisions.
Facilitate risk assessments, pre-task planning, and Management of Change (MOC) processes.
Lead project update meetings and provide clear status reporting to leadership.
Apply working knowledge of office software and Excel to calculate savings, speeds, efficiency, and schedules.
Work with limited oversight — able to overcome project challenges, work through problems, and solicit help when needed.
Comply with all Plant, State, and Federal OSHA, EPA, FDA, HACCP, and SQF regulations.
Comply with GMPs in the plant.
Assist in the maintenance of the Food Safety and Quality System.