Plant Engineer

Title: Plant Project Engineer

Location: Augusta, WI

Hire Type: Direct Hire

Compensation: $115,000 - 130,000/year

Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options: 401(k), Pension

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, PTO, Paid Holidays

Must have Skill Set:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
• 5+ years of engineering experience in a manufacturing environment
• Capital project management experience
• Continuous improvement and process optimization experience
• Strong cross-functional leadership and communication skills

Overview: We are seeking a highly motivated Plant Project Engineer to support manufacturing operations through continuous improvement initiatives, capital project execution, and equipment reliability programs. This position plays a key role in driving operational excellence by improving manufacturing efficiency, reducing downtime, and leading engineering projects from concept through startup. The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical engineering background, proven project management experience, and a passion for improving plant performance through collaboration, innovation, and data-driven decision-making.

Job Duties:

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing and distribution line performance, throughput, and efficiency.
• Analyze production, maintenance, and operational data to drive process improvements.
• Lead initiatives focused on productivity enhancement, waste reduction, cost savings, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).
• Support Lean Manufacturing and continuous improvement programs throughout the facility.
• Develop and implement solutions that improve product quality, equipment reliability, and operational performance.

Project Management

• Lead capital and non-capital engineering projects from justification and approval through installation, commissioning, and startup.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, budgets, timelines, and resource plans.
• Manage project execution to ensure safety, quality, schedule, and budget objectives are achieved.
• Coordinate equipment installations, upgrades, and process improvements with internal stakeholders and external contractors.
• Conduct equipment evaluations, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities during project implementation.
• Prepare project documentation, cost analyses, and performance reports.

Maintenance & Reliability

• Support the development and implementation of preventive and predictive maintenance programs.
• Partner with maintenance teams to improve equipment uptime, reliability, and long-term asset performance.
• Identify root causes of equipment failures and implement corrective actions.
• Evaluate maintenance best practices and reliability strategies to reduce downtime and maintenance costs.
• Assist in the selection and implementation of new technologies that improve equipment performance and maintainability.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Provide technical leadership, coaching, and mentoring to maintenance, operations, and engineering personnel.
• Collaborate closely with production, quality, safety, and plant leadership teams to support operational goals.
• Work with equipment vendors, contractors, consultants, and engineering partners to successfully execute projects.
• Participate in plant initiatives focused on safety, quality, productivity, and employee engagement.
• Communicate project status, risks, and improvement opportunities to management and key stakeholders.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of engineering experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing capital projects from planning through implementation.
• Strong continuous improvement mindset with a track record of driving measurable results.
• Excellent project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.