Assistant Plant Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Assistant Plant Engineer

Location:

Overview:

Sterling has helped build careers for thousands for professionals like yourself. Our expert recruiters support you at every step in the process and as a Best of Staffing company, Sterling provides exciting work with exceptional employers across the U.S.

Hire Type: Direct Hire

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision

Bonus/ Incentives/ Stock Options: Annual Bonus Eligibility

Pay : $110-125k

Job Summary:

• This role is responsible for leading engineering and maintenance operations within a high-performance manufacturing environment. The position ensures reliability, efficiency, and continuous improvement across capital projects, maintenance systems, and plant operations while maintaining strict adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory standards. This individual will partner closely with plant leadership to drive operational excellence, minimize downtime, and optimize overall equipment performance.

Job Duties:

• Engineering Project Leadership
  Oversee the full lifecycle of capital projects, including development, planning, and execution following approval. Ensure all initiatives are delivered on schedule, within budget, and with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. Collaborate with engineering and plant leadership to align project execution with safety, food safety, and environmental compliance requirements.
• Maintenance Systems & Reliability Improvement
  Lead the development and execution of advanced maintenance strategies aligned with high-performing manufacturing practices, including Preventive Maintenance, Predictive Maintenance, and Total Productive Maintenance (TPM). Optimize maintenance scheduling and resource allocation to reduce downtime, improve equipment reliability, and enhance overall plant efficiency and capacity.
• Team Leadership & Safety Excellence
  Direct and support the maintenance team through clear delegation of responsibilities, performance management, and policy enforcement. Serve as a key safety leader by implementing training programs, reinforcing safety procedures, and continuously improving the safety culture across the facility to ensure a compliant and secure work environment.
• Operational Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement
  Act as a primary technical resource for production and maintenance teams, providing rapid response to equipment issues and driving root cause analysis for recurring failures. Develop and implement sustainable corrective actions to improve system reliability and reduce operational disruptions.
• Performance Metrics & KPI Management
  Partner with plant engineering leadership to develop, track, and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs), including equipment reliability, supplier performance, and overall equipment effectiveness (OEE). Use data-driven insights to identify improvement opportunities and support long-term operational strategy.
• People Development & Leadership
  Foster a high-performance team culture through coaching, mentoring, and professional development. Promote engagement, accountability, and continuous learning to strengthen team capability and drive consistent operational success.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• 5+ years of experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment
• Minimum 2+ years in a leadership or supervisory role with responsibility for team development
• Strong knowledge of maintenance systems, including CMMS, work order management, and reliability programs
• Experience with PLCs, instrumentation, mechanical/electrical systems, and industrial troubleshooting
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and maintenance management systems
• Strong understanding of TPM, predictive/preventive maintenance, and reliability-centered maintenance principles
• Ability to analyze and interpret operational data and performance metrics
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Ability to manage priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, including occasional extended hours or weekends

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.