Plant Engineer

Plant Engineer

A food manufacturing facility in Mason City, Iowa is seeking an experienced Plant Engineer to lead the maintenance and engineering department. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for capital project execution, maintenance program development, and continuous improvement across plant systems. The position carries direct accountability for equipment reliability, regulatory compliance, and production uptime in a large-scale manufacturing environment.

Schedule: Full-time, Monday through Friday. On-call availability expected for unplanned equipment issues and operational emergencies.

Compensation: $125,000 to $155,000 base salary plus bonus. Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 401(k); and paid time off.

What You'll Do

The Plant Engineer leads all maintenance and engineering functions at the Mason City facility, with ownership of capital projects from concept through completion. You will plan and manage all project elements to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery while protecting safety, food safety, and environmental standards throughout execution.

You will develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance programs, Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), and related strategies. This includes building optimal maintenance schedules designed to maximize task completion while minimizing production downtime, and tracking Key Performance Indicators that measure the ongoing effectiveness of the maintenance function.

Day-to-day leadership responsibilities include delegating work assignments, enforcing department policies, and developing the maintenance team. You will serve as the primary technical resource for both short-term troubleshooting and long-term solutions to equipment failures and operational challenges, with a focus on reducing recurring issues and improving system reliability.

As the engineering lead, you will ensure the facility remains current with advanced food manufacturing technology. This includes evaluating and implementing new equipment and process improvements, providing technical guidance on mechanical and electrical systems including PLCs and instrumentation, and leading resource planning efforts across the maintenance organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field from an accredited four-year institution, plus 8 or more years of relevant experience; an equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• 2 or more years of demonstrated team management, supervisory, or project leadership experience
• Food manufacturing industry background
• Experience with change management in a manufacturing environment
• Advanced technical skills in mechanical and electrical systems, including PLCs and instrumentation
• Working knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive and predictive maintenance, and TPM
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and Word
• Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment and interpret results
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills, both written and verbal

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with CMMS platforms (SAP PM, Maximo, or equivalent)
• Background in capital project management including budget development and contractor oversight
• Familiarity with SQF, FSMA, or other food safety regulatory frameworks
• Experience in a High Performing Manufacturing Organization (HPMO) or lean manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated success developing KPI frameworks for maintenance and reliability functions

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary $125,000 to $155,000 plus bonus
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Confirm additional benefits with client before posting

To apply, submit your resume along with a brief description of your maintenance and engineering leadership background in a manufacturing environment.