Plant Engineer - Small

Smithfield Foods Inc.; Arnold; On-site; GBP 59,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading food manufacturing company is seeking a skilled Plant Engineer to manage engineering projects and maintenance systems. The role requires leadership in a fast-paced environment, driving efficiency and innovation while ensuring safety compliance and peak performance. Candidates should hold a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering and have significant experience in team management and technical skills.

Benefits

Relocation Package Available

Qualifications

• 8+ years’ relevant experience in engineering or related fields.
• 2+ years in team management/development or project leadership.
• Advanced technical skills in mechanical/electrical fields.

Responsibilities

• Manage and schedule engineering projects from concept to completion.
• Develop maintenance systems to ensure peak plant performance.
• Inspire and manage the maintenance staff, ensuring safety compliance.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organizational planning

Analytical reasoning

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Technical skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word)

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Plant Engineer role at Smithfield Foods.

What You'll Do

• Engineering Project Development: Take ownership of capital projects from concept to completion. You’ll manage and schedule all project elements to ensure minimal disruption to plant operations, delivering projects on time, on budget, and without compromising safety, food safety, or environmental standards.
• Maintenance Systems: Lead the development and implementation of maintenance systems that keep the plant operating at peak performance, including Preventive and Predictive Maintenance, TPM, and other high-impact strategies to maximize task completion with minimal downtime.
• Maintenance Staff and Safety: Lead the maintenance team, delegate tasks, enforce policies, and guide work assignments while maintaining a safety-first culture and ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Solutions: Provide short-term fixes and long-term solutions to operational challenges, troubleshoot equipment failures, and ensure smooth daily plant operation with minimal recurring issues.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Develop and track KPIs to measure maintenance effectiveness, equipment reliability, and overall plant performance.
• Leadership and Flexibility: Step in to cover key tasks when personnel are absent, ensuring timely and appropriate task completion.
• People Management: Lead and coach employees to support a positive work environment and development.

What We're Seeking

The following describes the general nature of work and expected qualifications. This is not an exhaustive list of duties or requirements.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or related field and 8+ years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience; required.
• 2+ years of demonstrated experience in team management, development, or project leadership.
• Strong leadership, organizational planning, teamwork, analytical reasoning, and adaptability.
• Advanced technical skills in mechanical/electrical fields (e.g., PLCs, instrumentation) and ability to lead resource planning in a large manufacturing environment.
• Thorough knowledge of maintenance systems, work order processes, preventive/predictive maintenance, TPM, etc.
• Ability to use exposure monitoring equipment and interpret results.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
• Clear written and oral communication, strong problem-solving skills, and strong interpersonal and presentation abilities.
• May be required to work long hours and weekends.

Other Skills That Make You Stand Out

• Ability to work well in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Ability to be respectful, approachable, and team-oriented while building strong working relationships and a positive work environment.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Office and plant setting; plant environment may include wet or humid conditions, extreme temperatures, moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or chemicals.
• Moderate to loud noise in production areas.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision requirements include close and distance vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Frequently stand, walk, use hands, reach, and communicate verbally.

Relocation

Relocation package available.

EEO Information

Smithfield is an equal opportunity employer committed to workplace diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, gender identity, protected veterans status, disability, or any other protected status as required by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment selection process, please contact us at 757-357-1595.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Engineering and Information Technology
• Industries: Food and Beverage Manufacturing

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