Senior Global Equipment & Technology Engineer

Smithfield Foods•Remote, NC, NC

About The Position

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section. Lead the evaluation, design review, qualification, and deployment of processing, packaging, automation, robotics, and end-of-line equipment across pork processing operations. This role serves as the mechanical engineering subject matter expert, ensuring equipment meets performance, sanitary design, USDA, safety, reliability, and maintainability requirements before deployment. The role will also support the development of strategic technology alignment between U.S. and China operations. Working closely with the WH Group engineering and operations teams, this position will evaluate proven technologies, equipment platforms, and best practices successfully deployed within China operations while identifying opportunities for adaptation and implementation within U.S. facilities. The role will further partner with global equipment suppliers, technology developers, and internal stakeholders to collaboratively develop and commercialize emerging processing and automation technologies.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Mechanical Engineering or related field and 5+ years of relevant experience in food processing, packaging, industrial equipment, or manufacturing engineering; or equivalent combination of education and experience required.
Experience qualifying and validating manufacturing equipment.
Knowledge of sanitary design, washdown-duty equipment, USDA-regulated facilities, and food processing systems.
Experience working directly with OEMs, equipment suppliers, and international engineering teams.
Strong communication, collaboration, and project management skills.
Ability to travel domestically greater than 50% and internationally as required.

Nice To Haves

Experience evaluating, adapting, and implementing technology across multiple manufacturing regions or countries preferred.
Mandarin language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead equipment specification, qualification, and validation activities through design reviews, supplier assessments, factory acceptance testing, pilot trials, and operational evaluations to ensure compliance with throughput, yield, labor, reliability, food safety, maintenance, and regulatory requirements.
Conduct technical due diligence, assess emerging technologies and OEM solutions, and lead global technology scouting, benchmarking, and equipment standardization initiatives to identify next-generation processing, packaging, robotics, and automation opportunities.
Partner with U.S. operations, China operations, WH Group engineering teams, and external stakeholders to evaluate, transfer, and implement proven technologies, equipment designs, and operational best practices across manufacturing environments.
Evaluate mechanical designs, machine layouts, sanitary construction, structural systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, maintainability, and lifecycle costs to ensure performance, reliability, cleanability, and operator safety.
Qualify and optimize processing, packaging, conveyance, material handling, robotics, and end-of-line systems, including injection, marination, tumbling, slicing, thermoforming, vacuum packaging, palletizing, and warehouse integration equipment.
Ensure equipment designs and operating conditions meet USDA requirements, sanitary design principles, washdown-duty standards, food safety expectations, and U.S. manufacturing regulations.
Collaborate with domestic and international OEMs, technology providers, and research organizations to develop, adapt, and commercialize equipment solutions for U.S. manufacturing applications.
Serve as a technical lead, project engineer, or subject matter expert supporting capital projects from concept development through implementation and commissioning.