Mechanical Project Engineer

Project Engineer – Industrial Food Processing Systems

Department: Engineering

Position Summary

The Project Engineer is responsible for the mechanical design and execution of large, highly automated industrial popcorn production systems. These systems integrate popcorn makers, sifters, seasoning and caramel coating equipment, and material handling conveyors into complete turnkey lines with project values up to $4M and build cycles of approximately 22 weeks.

This role owns projects from concept through installation, combining hands-on mechanical design in SolidWorks with cross-functional coordination of procurement, fabrication, assembly, testing, and on-site installation. The Project Engineer works closely with Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, Procurement, and Field Service to ensure systems are delivered on time, within scope, and to quality and safety standards.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Engineering

• Design and develop complete industrial food processing systems and subsystems using SolidWorks.
• Prepare customer layout drawings, detailed fabrication drawings, and assembly documentation.
• Develop and maintain accurate Bills of Material (BOMs) and routings within the ERP system.
• Support compliance with applicable safety, sanitation, and regulatory requirements (e.g., UL, CE, NSF).
• Collaborate with controls engineering to ensure proper integration of PLCs, VFDs, sensors, and automation hardware.
• Spend time on the production floor supporting fabrication, assembly, and continuous improvement of designs.

Project Execution & Coordination

• Serve as the primary engineering owner for multiple concurrent large-scale projects.
• Plan and maintain project schedules covering procurement, fabrication, assembly, testing, shipping, and installation.
• Coordinate closely with Procurement to prioritize material purchasing and resolve supply issues.
• Work with Manufacturing leadership and shop personnel to sequence work, manage constraints, and support on-time delivery.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) and assist with on-site installation and startup as needed.
• Track project progress, identify risks, and proactively resolve issues impacting cost, schedule, or quality.
• Maintain project tracking tools, schedules, and reporting dashboards.

Continuous Improvement & Quality

• Identify opportunities to improve system designs, manufacturing efficiency, and project execution processes.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and accountability throughout project lifecycles.
• Support documentation standards and lessons-learned capture to improve future projects.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field; equivalent practical experience may be considered.
• 3–7 years of experience in industrial equipment or machinery design within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong proficiency in SolidWorks, including complex assemblies and production drawings.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, build-to-order environment.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time-management skills.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, procurement, and field teams.
• Self-directed, detail-oriented, and comfortable owning projects from concept through installation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with complex automated machinery and material handling systems.
• Familiarity with PLC-controlled equipment, VFDs, and industrial automation concepts.
• Experience with ERP systems (INFOR Syteline preferred).
• Knowledge of food processing equipment, sanitary design principles, and safety standards.
• Prior exposure to project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project or similar).

Work Environment

• Combination of office-based engineering work and regular time spent on the manufacturing floor.
• Occasional travel to customer sites for installation, commissioning, or troubleshooting.