Principal Engineer - Packaging

Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you will provide technical leadership to identify and develop strategies and projects that deliver the highest value business benefit to the company. You will work with cross‑functional teams to review requirements and develop optimized technical solutions that fit business needs. This is a Corporate Engineering role supporting manufacturing operations through innovation, automation, and continuous improvement initiatives. Responsibilities Identify, develop, rollout, and provide governance for key strategies and programs across the manufacturing platform. Use subject‑matter expertise, third‑party engineering partners, and original equipment manufacturers to develop labor‑reducing and cost‑saving automation projects. Stay current with industry regulations and codes related to packaging equipment system design and operations, and provide recommendations to improve programs, policies, and goals. Provide technical and economic feasibility analysis to support business initiatives that deliver competitive advantages. Develop Front End Loading packages that are complete, clear, and reflect due diligence to ensure project success, including technology assessments, recommended solutions aligned to plant, company, and industry best practices; physical location layouts; general arrangement drawings; infrastructure requirements and needs assessments; equipment acceptance criteria; support of testing and acceptance trials; equipment and system performance criteria; identification of alternatives, prerequisites, risks, and opportunities. Partner with engineering teams to establish cost, schedule, risk, and startup requirements for projects. Write detailed functional control descriptions for unit operations and processing systems. Perform reviews of Front End Loading packages or equivalent deliverables to ensure accuracy, completeness, and operational effectiveness. Develop rough order of magnitude estimates to provide early business‑case direction. Troubleshoot and drive continuous improvement of existing packaging operations. Lead machine‑design improvements and equipment modifications. Conduct production‑plant site surveys and assessments, and provide support to sites as needed. Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, or Packaging Engineering. 10+ years of experience in food manufacturing with packaging system design. Experience leading teams and solving complex technical challenges. Subject‑matter expertise in one or more areas of food‑production line packaging equipment. Experience with machine design and working in a United States Department of Agriculture or Food and Drug Administration regulated manufacturing environment. Demonstrated success developing and implementing automation and robotic solutions. Experience in project engineering and project execution. Knowledge of continuous improvement applications within engineering design. Experience translating project requirements into technical solutions through sound engineering principles. Strong experience in packaging equipment engineering and practical application. Willingness to travel up to 50% to support plant operations. Compensation Pay Range: $109,000 – $159,000 Benefits Health: Comprehensive healthcare plans, wellness incentive program, mental wellbeing support and fitness reimbursement. Wealth: Great pay, bonus incentive opportunity, matching 401(k) and stock purchase plan. Growth: Career development opportunities, employee resource groups, on‑demand learning and tuition reimbursement. Balance: Paid‑time off, parental leave, flexible work schedules (subject to location and role), and volunteer opportunities. Conagra Brands is an equal‑opportunity employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, ethnicity or national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, pregnancy, leave status, disability, veteran status, genetic information and/or any other characteristic or status protected by national, federal, state or local law. Reasonable accommodation may be made upon request. #J-18808-Ljbffr Conagra Brands