Senior Global Equipment & Technology Engineer

Have a seat at our table. When you join Smithfield, you become part of something special - a company that’s sustainably feeding people around the world, producing good food the right way with respect for our people, animals, communities and planet. With opportunities across locations and functions, a culture grounded in our Core Four values - gratitude, communication, respect and accountability - and a strong commitment to learning, collaboration, and innovation, Smithfield offers challenging and rewarding careers where you can grow, contribute and make a real impact.

The position summary states the general nature and purpose of the job. Overall accountabilities are defined in this section.

Lead the evaluation, design review, qualification, and deployment of processing, packaging, automation, robotics, and end-of-line equipment across pork processing operations. This role serves as the mechanical engineering subject matter expert, ensuring equipment meets performance, sanitary design, USDA, safety, reliability, and maintainability requirements before deployment.

The role will also support the development of strategic technology alignment between U.S. and China operations. Working closely with the WH Group engineering and operations teams, this position will evaluate proven technologies, equipment platforms, and best practices successfully deployed within China operations while identifying opportunities for adaptation and implementation within U.S. facilities. The role will further partner with global equipment suppliers, technology developers, and internal stakeholders to collaboratively develop and commercialize emerging processing and automation technologies.

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. May perform other duties as assigned.

• Equipment Qualification & Validation: Lead equipment specification, qualification, and validation activities through design reviews, supplier assessments, factory acceptance testing, pilot trials, and operational evaluations to ensure compliance with throughput, yield, labor, reliability, food safety, maintenance, and regulatory requirements.

• Technology Evaluation & Innovation: Conduct technical due diligence, assess emerging technologies and OEM solutions, and lead global technology scouting, benchmarking, and equipment standardization initiatives to identify next-generation processing, packaging, robotics, and automation opportunities.

• Global Collaboration & Technology Transfer: Partner with U.S. operations, China operations, WH Group engineering teams, and external stakeholders to evaluate, transfer, and implement proven technologies, equipment designs, and operational best practices across manufacturing environments.

• Equipment Engineering & Design Review: Evaluate mechanical designs, machine layouts, sanitary construction, structural systems, pneumatics, hydraulics, maintainability, and lifecycle costs to ensure performance, reliability, cleanability, and operator safety.

• Processing & Packaging Equipment Expertise: Qualify and optimize processing, packaging, conveyance, material handling, robotics, and end-of-line systems, including injection, marination, tumbling, slicing, thermoforming, vacuum packaging, palletizing, and warehouse integration equipment.

• Regulatory & Sanitary Compliance: Ensure equipment designs and operating conditions meet USDA requirements, sanitary design principles, washdown-duty standards, food safety expectations, and U.S. manufacturing regulations.

• OEM & Supplier Partnerships: Collaborate with domestic and international OEMs, technology providers, and research organizations to develop, adapt, and commercialize equipment solutions for U.S. manufacturing applications.

• Capital Project Leadership: Serve as a technical lead, project engineer, or subject matter expert supporting capital projects from concept development through implementation and commissioning.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited…