Project Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer

Project Engineer

A part of Colgate-Palmolive since 1976, Hill's Pet Nutrition offers the highest-quality pet nutrition available through product lines Prescription Diet® and Science Diet®. Veterinarians worldwide recommend and feed their own pets Hill's products more than any other brand of pet food. Available in approximately 80 countries around the world, our extensive line of products includes more than 60 Prescription Diet brand pet foods and more than 50 Science Diet brand pet foods.

We believe all animals should be loved and cared for during their lifetimes. That is why we are proud our pet foods can make a difference in your pet's life. A career at Hill's Pet Nutrition or Colgate-Palmolive is an excellent opportunity if you seek a global experience, constant challenge, and development opportunities in an environment that respects work/life effectiveness.

Summary:

As a Plant Project Engineer at Hill's Pet Nutrition, you will play a central role in driving technical excellence by leading facility capital projects from initial concept through successful implementation. Reporting to the Manager of Engineering, you will oversee project scope, budget management, timeline execution, and technical risk assessments to optimize plant asset utilization. This high-impact position offers the opportunity to partner cross-functionally across our manufacturing operations, delivering innovative engineering solutions that support our mission.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and execute end-to-end engineering capital projects on time and within budget limitations, ensuring full compliance with technical designs, safety guidelines, and company objectives.
• Develop complete project documentation, including scope justification, cost estimates, ROI savings analysis, vendor selections, and project timelines.
• Provide functional and technical troubleshooting support to plant floor operations and maintenance teams to minimize unplanned downtime and optimize production equipment.
• Guide external contractors, equipment suppliers, and cross-functional teams during equipment installation, testing, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Verification (CQV) phases.
• Drive continuous operational excellence by utilizing Factory Performance & Reliability (FP&R) tools, statistical process controls, and corporate EOHS/Quality standards to eliminate process waste.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in manufacturing, focused on project management from concept to completion.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing plant environment, including navigating equipment at heights, supporting 24/7 continuous operations, and working irregular shifts or being on-call as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior engineering experience in food processing, pet food manufacturing, or CPG operations.
• Hands-on technical experience with packaging equipment automation controls, robotics, or vision systems.
• Active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Technical proficiency in extrusion equipment, packaging technology, bulk material handling, and regulatory agency standards (FDA, USDA, AIB).
• Experience driving innovation, leading operational change, and establishing cross-organizational collaboration

Compensation and Benefits Salary Range $86,000.00 - $ USD Pay is determined based on experience, qualifications, and location. Salaried employees may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, profit-sharing, and long-term incentives for Executive-level roles. Benefits:
Salaried employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, paid parental leave, disability coverage, and participation in the 401(k) retirement plan with company matching contributions subject to eligibility requirements. Additional benefits include a minimum of 15 vacation/PTO days (hourly employees receive a minimum of 120 hours) and 13 paid holidays (vacation days are prorated based on the employee's hire date within the calendar year).

Paid sick leave is adjusted based on role and location in accordance with local laws.

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