Capital Projects Mechanical Engineer - Food Process Systems

Step into the heart of major capital projects in Niles, IL

You arrive on site at a highly automated dessert manufacturing facility. A new line is mid-install; vendors are unloading equipment, a contractor has a question about a utility drop, and a controls vendor is finalizing a commissioning plan. You open the latest AutoCAD layout, reconcile it with field conditions, align the schedule to protect production, and rally cross-functional teammates from Operations, R&D, Maintenance, and QA. By day’s end, installation issues are resolved, the startup plan is locked, and the path to handoff is clear.

Your focus

• Own in-flight capital projects from installation through startup, commissioning, performance validation, and final handoff.
• Direct contractors, vendors, and suppliers; keep cross-functional plant teams aligned and accountable.
• Plan and coordinate mechanical equipment installs with minimal disruption to live production.
• Review equipment layouts, AutoCAD drawings, specs, and submittals; close gaps between design and field conditions.
• Track schedules, budgets, contracts, milestones, and action items—no detail slips.
• Troubleshoot install/startup issues and drive timely resolutions with plant and vendor partners.
• Partner with operations, maintenance, engineering, and programming/controls vendors to de-risk startup.
• Validate equipment performance and document commissioning outcomes.
• Guard timelines while upholding safety, quality, and production requirements.

What you’ll bring

• 8+ years of project engineering experience in manufacturing.
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or related engineering discipline (preferred).
• Proven success delivering $1M+ capital projects end-to-end.
• Hands-on leadership across installation, startup, and commissioning.
• Fluent in reading/interpreting AutoCAD drawings, layouts, and technical documentation.
• Track record coordinating work in active plants while protecting throughput.
• Excellent communication, organization, troubleshooting, and ownership.
• Food & beverage manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Greenfield and/or brownfield backgrounds are a plus.

Manufacturing environment

High-volume, highly automated food manufacturing facility in Niles, IL producing desserts (including icings and whipped toppings). Food-grade, clean, and temperature-controlled with some refrigerated/cold production areas.