Engineering Project Manager

Marlen, headquartered in Riverside, MO is recognized as a global designer and manufacturer of highly engineered and innovative food processing equipment and systems. Our premium products have long set the standard for quality and performance in vacuum stuffing and pumping, portioning, size reduction, thermal processing, and food handling.

Marlen has been trusted by the world’s leading food brands for 70 years. Our world-class Solution Centers strategically located across the globe allow processors to lean on our highly experienced food processing technologists to develop and test unique solutions for your products. Marlen is a Duravant Company, headquartered in Downers Grove, IL. Duravant is a global engineered equipment company with manufacturing, sales and service facilities throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Project Engineering Manager provides technical and organizational leadership for Marlen’s project engineering and new product development activities. This role leads a team of mechanical engineers in designing, developing, and continuously improving equipment and systems while ensuring customer requirements, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and business objectives are met.

This position manages custom engineering projects, drives new product development, and improves engineering processes across Marlen. Working closely with Sales, Service, Operations, Manufacturing, and Product Management, the Project Engineering Manager ensures projects are successfully executed from concept through implementation while developing standards and processes that improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability. The role also supports strategic initiatives such as acquisition integration and technology transfers.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Engineering Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Mechanical Engineers, providing technical guidance, coaching, and performance support.
• Assign resources and manage engineering workloads to ensure project priorities, schedules, and deliverables are achieved.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
• Support employee development through training, mentoring, and succession planning initiatives.

Project & Product Development Management

• Lead custom engineering projects across all product lines, ensuring execution within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Manage New Product Development (NPD) initiatives across all Marlen business units.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project requirements, timelines, risks, and deliverables.
• Monitor project progress, proactively identify challenges, and implement solutions to ensure successful outcomes.
• Develop and maintain project management processes, tools, and performance metrics.

Technical Leadership & Design Oversight

• Provide technical direction for the design, development, and optimization of mechanical systems and equipment.
• Review engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for accuracy, completeness, manufacturability, and technical feasibility.
• Develop and oversee testing and validation procedures for new products, product enhancements, and machine upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, safety requirements, and engineering best practices.

Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering processes, design standards, and product performance.
• Establish and maintain standards for order processing, scope review, engineering documentation, and project tracking.
• Coordinate communication and project execution between Engineering, Sales, Service, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Operations.
• Provide regular project status updates and communicate key milestones, risks, and resource requirements.

Strategic Initiatives

• Support engineering activities associated with business acquisitions, product integrations, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to standardize designs, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality across the portfolio.
• Participate in long-term technology and product roadmap planning.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, or related industries.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership or people management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Experience in project estimation, design support, and pre-sales engineering activities preferred.
• Ability to travel 25%

Technical Qualifications

• Strong mechanical design knowledge and engineering problem-solving capabilities.
• Extensive CAD and solid modeling experience, preferably with Creo, SolidWorks, AutoCAD Inventor, or similar platforms.
• Experience designing stainless steel equipment for sanitary food processing applications, including machined components, sheet metal, and welded assemblies, preferred.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and fabrication processes, including machining, welding, assembly, and metal fabrication.
• Familiarity with ANSI, ISO, and applicable industry standards.
• Working knowledge of control systems and automation concepts sufficient to effectively communicate design intent and system requirements.Experience with finite element analysis (FEA) tools preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably Infor SyteLine, preferred.

WHY YOU SHOUD APPLY:

As a Duravant Family Company, Marlen participates in global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, as well as Doing Good initiatives to support our communities. In addition to a culture that promotes long term career satisfaction, with opportunities for personal and professional growth, Marlen offers an excellent total rewards package that includes:

• Compensation: We offer competitive compensation
• Benefits: We have comprehensive benefit packages designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and financial security
• Development: We have education and training programs which include an educational assistance program
• Time Off: We offer paid holidays and paid time off
• Driven Team Members: We have a cross-functional, collaborative environment, focused on delivering results
• Core Values: Do What’s Right; Champion Customer Success; Respond Fast, Deliver Faster; Work Together, Win Together; Ignite What’s Next Culture: We are driven by our number one asset - our employees, and their successes
• Doing Good: We love to be active members of our community! We have several volunteer opportunities throughout the year.